Along with larger goods, estate sales can also offer up a bounty of jewelry and precious accessories. These items are some of most common pieces that Heritage Estate Sales sees that can also offer up some intriguing surprises. Although all heirlooms have an intrinsic nostalgic value, they do not always have the monetary value that may have been expected. We have also seen many items that were thought to be costume jewelry that turn out to be something quite real.
Jewelry and watches are many of the more intriguing items to try and catalogue, as appearance and “worth” can be both synonymous and completely divergent. Many of the buyers that come to our estate sales are looking for investment products, in that they are able to purchase a genuine article at below cost. Other buyers that we have come through are more interested in aesthetic quality. In these cases, a well fabricated, antique looking necklace is just as valuable in their eyes as s simple diamond tennis bracelet. This is one big reason why it is important not to take any of the sale pieces for granted, as there will always be something for everyone.
Genuine And General
Some buyers are quite interested in the actual composition of a piece. With jewelry and watches that are not trademarked by a manufacturer, the gemstones and metals will be a large part of the true worth. Making this type of determination is not always something that can be done by sight. Electroplated metals that are well fabricated are incredibly authentic looking replications, and even trying to scratch or abrade the surface will not reveal what is underneath. Another problem with this method is that higher karat gold is quite soft, and a person could run the risk of marring a piece while trying to figure out if it is “real”.
With metals, although weighing can give some insight, the best way to evaluate them is to use a metal analyzer. These hand held fluoroscopes will give a digital read out of all the elements that are present within a piece of jewelry. This may reveal that a ring is actually nickel with a gold electroplating, but it may also show that a simple gold band is actually a higher karat quality than was assumed.
Precious stones such as diamonds can be a little easier to verify, although it will take a well trained eye to determine the full extent of quality. All diamonds, even the lowest karat weight, carry laser inscriptions to register and document them. Examining a stone with a jeweler’s loupe will allow a person to see this etching, and decide whether it is a diamond versus cubic zirconia or glass. However, even after this inspection is done, the actual value will include weight, cut, clarity, and color.
Heritage Estate Sales has handled many lots where jewelry figured largely into the items for sale. Our website offers a comprehensive overview of these sales, and also elaborates on how we process inventory. By knowing what they really have to offer, our clients also have a better sense of what they can gain.