Best Way to Sell Old Jewelry?

[Luv Bunnies]

Has anyone ever sold old jewelry? DH and BIL inherited a few pieces (diamond, while gold and platinum) when MIL passed away 28 years ago. We had it appraised and it's been sitting in a safe deposit box. They have decided it's time to sell it and split the proceeds. We're going to have it re-appraised and then figure out how to sell it. Should we take it to a jewelry store? Auction house? Antique store? We're not expecting to get the full value, but would like to get the best price possible.

 

[AnnaS]

I have sold some in the past to Jewelry store and twice to a place that buys gold (broken pieces/missing pieces, etc.).

I would like to sell some more - hate to part with some but I know I will never wear them. I don't think stones/diamonds are worth as much as gold but I could be wrong. I have been tempted to sell some silver coins too. They will probably stay in safe deposit box for the kids to sell someday.....

I recently received (twice) mailer for certain dates where you can sell just about anything in a catering hall (people rent out booths). Have various booths. Have never been to one of these.

 

[Tatebeck]

Yep, local jewelry shops will buy them for the precious metals and stones and would likely be the easiest way to sell fairly quickly. That is what I did when my mother passed away

 

[_19disnA]

My experience is that most places who buy old jewelry are mainly interested in the precious metal content (i.e. silver, gold, platinum). You can often find local places that aren't jewelry stores who mostly are looking to buy the precious metals. Mom had some older jewelry pieces and when she passed we also decided to sell them and split the proceeds. Some items were gold plated and there is no value in them. There apparently isn't any practical way to separate out the gold and we never found any store interested in those items, so they were basically worthless. They weigh your pieces and determine the precious metal content to give you an estimate. There doesn't seem to be any market for used precious stones. I doubt an auction house would be interested unless they are something of significant value.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Has anyone ever sold old jewelry?

When my mother died, she had a lot of old jewelry. We started at the jewelry store where I have my rings cleaned and checked and they bought all the "good" stuff (gold, silver, any real stones). The other things I put out at our local garage sale weekend and a teacher at a local community college bought the costume stuff for use in their drama department.

 

[Tatebeck]

Another option is to a ask the jewelry stores to separate their offer for the precious metals and gemstones. If they mostly value the metals, you can have them pop out the gemstones to keep or work into new jewelry for you and just sell the metal. Or save some of the value from the metal sale to have them make the new jewelry for you. So you end up with some money and some new jewelry. My family has done this for various stones from family members, so that you get to carry a piece of them with you and you don't have to buy new stones for new jewelry.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

. I doubt an auction house would be interested unless they are something of significant value.

They're definitely high-end pieces. One is a diamond watch set in platinum. The other is large diamond ring set in white gold. Both are probably over 60 years old and in good shape, except the watch needs a new movement.

Another option is to a ask the jewelry stores to separate their offer for the precious metals and gemstones. If they mostly value the metals, you can have them pop out the gemstones to keep or work into new jewelry for you and just sell the metal. Or save some of the value from the metal sale to have them make the new jewelry for you. So you end up with some money and some new jewelry. My family has done this for various stones from family members, so that you get to carry a piece of them with you and you don't have to buy new stones for new jewelry.

Since they're older pieces, I'm thinking they would have more value if they stay intact. My SIL and I decided we don't want to wear either piece. They're kind of gaudy and not our style. We talked about having the diamond from the ring split, but it has more value if we leave it whole as part of the ring.

 

[Tatebeck]

They're definitely high-end pieces. One is a diamond watch set in platinum. The other is large diamond ring set in white gold. Both are probably over 60 years old and in good shape, except the watch needs a new movement.


Since they're older pieces, I'm thinking they would have more value if they stay intact. My SIL and I decided we don't want to wear either piece. They're kind of gaudy and not our style. We talked about having the diamond from the ring split, but it has more value if we leave it whole as part of the ring.

I had a lot of old pieces. Almost everything they wanted just for the gold. People don't really buy antiques or wears old jewelry anymore. But you could try to auction it or commission a sale from them and if it doesn't sell then they may still pay the gold price

 

[citruscurtis]

Diamonds....ask a reputable jewelry store if they are in the future hosting a diamond clearing house... these companies have little overhead and offer the best prices

Gold ..shop around... companies that do volume sales will offer more

Here comes the gut punch... jewelry that is 60-70 years old..is not old jewelry...I have been selling antique jewelry since 1986...and like then..if the jewelry is not signed...it only has precious metal or gem value. The jewelry I was selling prior to 9/11 was purchased for its art value..9/11 changed perspectives on collecting and the collecting market of vintage... demand has disappeared
The vintage jewelry I sell now is being repurposed or to younger women with little purchase power but love the statement of a unsigned gaudy glamour. Signed jewelry I ship to the east coast with a dealer