Here are some important points to consider when selling jewelry:

• There are various types of jewelry including: Precious Metal Gold, Silver & Platinum Jewelry, Estate Jewelry, and Costume Jewelry.
  
  
• Many important factors will determine the value of your jewelry.
  
  
• The Jewelry's "Fineness" is often, but not always, impressed into the item.
  
  
• Jewelry from different countries can have varying degrees of fineness and different markings. (We can help you to identify international jewelry).
  
  
• Some Jewelry is unmarked and must be tested to determine its fineness. (We can help you to test your unmarked jewelry).
  
  
• Jewelry often contains "Gemstones".
  • Some gemstones such as diamonds, emeralds, etc. can be extremely valuable.
  • Other gemstones such as cubic zirconia, synthetic moissanite, faux, and paste stones will typically have nominal value.
    
    
• Diamonds often need to be seen by a Certified Gemologist who can determine the Color, Clarity, Cut, and Carat.
  
  
• Most dealers will tell you that "They" pay more than anyone else when in fact they do not.
  
  
• Dealer "Percent of Spot Price Payment Factors" can vary widely…for the same items.
  
  
• Dealers will never reveal their "Payment Factor" if you don't ask.
  
  
• Calculating the value of jewelry can be quite confusing and a simple mistake could cost you thousands of dollars.
  

Our client was selling some items from his mother's estate. We filled our van with some furniture, decorative accessories, and other various items and took them to a local auction where the entire van load sold for approximately $1,200.00. From the same estate we also found a smaller quantity of gold jewelry, enough to fill the bottom portion of a small plastic cereal bowl. That gold jewelry brought nearly $5,500.00 for our client.

"...I was stunned that so little gold jewelry could bring so much money..." Doylestown PA

If you are selling jewelry, and if you are uncertain of value or how to proceed, we can help. We suggest that you first read the article below to better understand the jewelry-selling process. Then, if you still feel that you would like our help, call us at (215)-264-4304 to further discuss your needs. Distance should not present a problem as we serve the Greater Philadelphia tri-state Pennsylvania-New Jersey-Delaware region, as well as many national clients.

Our Jewelry-Selling Services include:

• Sorting the better precious metal jewelry from the estate and costume jewelry.
• Estimating the actual jewelry value…before selling.
• Locating those dealers paying the highest percent of spot price.
• Negotiating a better price on your behalf, and then negotiating the actual sale for you.
• We are not Certified Gemologists, but we do work with several Certified Gemologists when dealing with diamonds and other fine stones & jewelry.

Jewelry. Bling. Symbols of Love & Affection. Most women love jewelry and thousands of books have already been written on the subject. My intention here is not to write another jewelry book. Nor am I a jewelry expert. Rather, I am an Auctioneer, Appraiser, and Home Downsizing Specialist and my goal here is to help you obtain a better understanding of how to best sell your jewelry without being taken advantage of.

So, when you are ready to sell jewelry, here are some important points to consider:

First, you need to understand that there are various types of jewelry including:

• Precious Metal Gold, Silver & Platinum Jewelry: This is usually the better jewelry, and its higher value will be based upon the workmanship, precious metal value, gemstone value, and level of desirability.
• Estate Jewelry: This is generally more desirable jewelry having some age, perhaps early-mid 20th century and prior. Its value will be based upon the workmanship, precious metal value, gemstone value, and level of desirability. However, not all Estate Jewelry will have precious metal or gemstone value.
• Costume Jewelry: Costume jewelry is generally inexpensive jewelry made to look expensive.

The value of your jewelry will be based upon several important factors:

• The Type of Precious Metal: Is it gold, silver, or platinum?
• Its "Fineness": Is it 18k, 14k, 10k, Sterling, or some other "Fineness"?
• Its "Weight": Usually the heavier the precious metal weight, the better.
• Today's Precious Metal "Spot Price": The "Precious Metal Spot Price" will fluctuate as often as the Stock Market.
• The Dealer's "Spot Price Payment Factor": Dealer "Payment Factors" will widely vary and these are extremely important to the price you will receive for your jewelry.
• The Value of "Gemstones" in the Jewelry: "Gemstones" can vary from fine diamonds to valueless "paste". Value will vary based upon type, size, fineness, condition, etc., and should sometimes be analyzed by a "Certified Gemologist".

The Jewelry's "Fineness" is usually, but not always, impressed into the item. A 10x jeweler's loop or magnifying glass will often be helpful in locating the marking. However, if a piece of jewelry appears to be unmarked, this doesn't necessarily mean it is not real. Unmarked jewelry can be tested to determine whether it is precious metal or not, and the degree of fineness in that precious metal. (We can help you to test your unmarked jewelry).

You should also understand that not all jewelry is marked 18k, 14k, 10k, or Sterling. Jewelry from different countries can have varying degrees of fineness and different markings, especially older jewelry. (We can help you to identify international jewelry).

Jewelry often contains "Gemstones". Some such as diamonds, emeralds, rubies, etc. can be extremely valuable. Other gemstones such as cubic zirconias, synthetic moissanite, faux and paste stones will have nominal value. Diamonds often need to be seen by a Certified Gemologist who can access the Color, Clarity, Cut, and Carat.

When selling your jewelry you need to understand that most dealers and buyers will usually offer widely differing amounts…for the same merchandise. Most dealers will tell you that "They" pay more than anyone else when in fact they do not. Dealer "Percent of Spot Price Payment Factors" can vary widely, and most will never reveal their "Payment Factor" if you don't ask.

Here Is a Real Life Horror Story. A woman passed away and her children came to town to deal with her belongings and prepare the Real Estate for sale. They decided to hold a garage sale, and made the major mistake of selling mom's $10,000 diamond ring…for $10…because they thought it was costume jewelry. Moral: You should never sell your jewelry until you know what it's worth.

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In summary, calculating the value of jewelry can be quite confusing and a simple mistake could cost you thousands of dollars. The key to selling jewelry for the most money possible is to understand its value…before you sell it. If you feel that you could use our help when selling your jewelry, give us a call.

Published Gold & Silver Articles by Michael Ivankovich: For more information on selling your precious metals, we invite you to read Mike's articles found on this Web Site:

• The Michael Ivankovich Guide to Selling Gold: How the Scrap Gold Game is Really Played
• The Michael Ivankovich Guide to Selling Silver: How the Scrap Silver Game is Really Played
• The Michael Ivankovich Guide to Selling Household & Estate Coins
• The Michael Ivankovich Guide to Selling Jewelry
• The Michael Ivankovich Guide to Selling Precious Metals: Scrap It? Sell It? Or Auction It?
• The Michael Ivankovich Guide to Selling Silverplate
• More Gold & Silver Articles Coming Soon