Three ways to tell if your estate jewelry is valuable. 

How to tell if your estate jewelry is valuable

Before we get started here, you may be thinking that the monetary value of anything, especially jewelry is all over the place. The things that some might consider valuable can be worth pennies while other things might be worth thousands.

While it is true that there is no set monetary value on your jewelry there a are a few key principals you can use to tell if it’s of any value in the first place. So let’s dive in. Below we’ve lined out three things you should look that will tell you if your estate jewelry is valuable. 

Hallmarks

The first thing you want to look for when checking out your old estate pieces is hallmarks. A hallmark is generally what tells you the metal content of a piece. There are other hallmarks that will tell you the origin, the designer, or the manufacturer. But generally it the metal hallmark that you’re looking for.

These marks are typically located on the clasp of a necklace, the inside of a ring or bracelet, or the post of an earring. Unless the piece is extremely old to where the mark has been worn off, all valuable fine jewelry will have some sort of hallmark to help you identify it. 

A few of the most common hallmarks for gold metal are 18K, 14K, 10K, 750, 585, and 375. For platinum metal, the common hallmarks include 950, PLATINUM, and PLAT. And common hallmarks for silver are 925, Silver, 800, and Sterling. Keep in mind that there are many different hallmarks, these are just the most common types. An appraiser should be able to tell you if your piece is credible if it contains another type of hallmark.

Weight

The next thing you need to check is the weight of the piece. The weight of an item is more important in select pieces such as bracelets and bangles rather than in rings and necklaces. Generally, each piece should weigh within a certain amount of the bracket weight in order to be real and valuable. 

You’ll find that most gold and silver metals are heavier than their artificial counterparts such as brass and pewter. If you do happen to find a thicker gold or silver metal like piece and it feels lighter chances are you have something that is hollow and fake. 

When you’re trying to determine how valuable your estate piece will be, a general rule of thumb is that the heavier the piece is the more likely it is to be real. And the more likely is it to be worth more money. Now let’s talk about the last thing that you need to look for when assessing your pieces. 

Appraisal

Lastly, be sure to get the item inspected and appraised. Getting your piece appraised by a professional jeweler is the best way to tell you if your piece is valuable or not. Professional appraisers have been trained to spot even the best of the artificial pieces. 

Not only will they be able to tell you if the piece or pieces you have is valuable, but they will also be able to give you an idea of what the piece is worth. There are a lot of fakes out there and a lot of pieces that look valuable but just aren’t.

For example, vintage costume jewelry can be extremely valuable. However, there are many of these costume pieces that are replicas of the original, original but not valuable, or just plain fake. So if you’re unsure about any of your pieces what you really want to do is consult a professional jeweler like Raymond Lee Jewelers.

Related: What To Do With Your Inherited Estate Jewelry

Raymond Lee Jewelers

It’s important to remember that when it comes to selling your inherited estate jewelry that there are no rules or restrictions. But it is also important to be cautious of fake buyers and scammers and consult with a credible retailer or appraiser before you sell.

Here at Raymond Lee Jewelers, we believe that behind every great diamond there is a smart buyer. We also believe that estate jewelry is a great investment to make. So what are you waiting for? Talk to one of our expert service advisors about selling your inherited estate jewelry today.

Related: Raymond Lee Jeweler’s Engagement Ring Trends of 2018

Areas we serve

We are located in southern Florida in the city of Boca Raton. We proudly serve Boca Raton and the surrounding following areas: Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Broward, and Miami-Dade. Stop by the store and talk to one of our experts about selling your investment jewelry today.

For more information, you can also chat online, or email one of our diamond advisers at info@diamondsbyraymondlee.com. Or feel free to visit us at 2801 N Federal Hwy, Boca Raton, FL 33431. Our hours of operation are Monday through Friday 11am-7pm, Saturday 10am-5pm, and Sunday 12pm-5pm.