Starting 100,000 years ago with a shell necklace, jewelry has been the symbol of personal style and status. The word “jewelry” comes from Latin “jocale”, which means plaything. Appealing to a wide section of society, jewelry signifies the fashion and style of its era and individuality of its owner, with not only material but also spiritual value. However, when it comes to assigning a price tag on a piece, it important to go into the subject with an educated mind in order to buy or sell smart. Read on to discover what you have to know before you go to an appraisal expert. Go here if you want to sell at auction and have a jewelry appraisal online
Jewelry set with gemstones is usually sold for higher hammer prices than just metal. Diamonds have consistently the highest value depending of the 4 C’s: cut, clarity, color and carat. Other precious stones such as sapphires, rubies and emeralds are also very valuable and are assessed on a similar calibration as diamonds with color, clarity and luster (inner shimmering light), cut shape and depth. In a proper appraisal, the gems will be cleaned, measured, weighed and checked for authenticity by a certified jewelry appraiser.
The metal used in the piece and the quality of craftsmanship is also important in determining the value of jewelry. An elaborate hand-made design will add to the price greatly.
Iconic names such as Cartier, Faberge, Tiffany & Co., VCA Alhambra and Bulgari will add to the mere material value of a piece. Especially if it is an iconic design from a limited edition that is in high demand, auction records might be on the horizon. Moreover, costume jewelry made by Chanel, Christian Dior or Judith Leiber has high market value, although they are made of only semi precious stones and metals.
Provenance is an important part of valuing so it is important to be able to prove it with receipts, previous valuations etc. Pieces owned by famous people or royalty will be worth far more than the sum of their parts. Age also plays an issue. Antique jewelry, which means it is older than 100 years old, tend to be worth more. However, some outdated unpopular styles, such as the Victorian age, might be worth less than a popular newer style. Not only Victorian jewelry is not in fashion now, but also it is the first period when jewelry was mass-produced, so it lacks rarity. On top of their intricate craftsmanship, Georgian, Edwardian and Belle Époque styles are especially hyped in the market lately, which makes their prices climb.
Connected to the previous section of provenance, original box and certificate are highly important in valuations, especially for more contemporary models.
As with every category from fine art and design to jewelry, rarity and demand is the key for determining the price. Jewelry market is less volatile than the art market, with collectors’ somewhat consistent taste. However, fashion can change faster than the blink of an eye, so it is very important to keep track of auction results to realize new trends.
Now that you are informed, it is time to find a trustable appraiser. Mearto gets you jewellery appraisals from the best auction houses in the world, ensuring the best premiums and estimates. Professional valuations involve; cleaning, weighing, measuring and photographing your items in order to provide you with a detailed valuation, including a detailed description and a condition statement.
