There are numerous factors that can affect the purchase price you’ll receive for your pre-owned jewelry. Below, we’ll go over each of them. When assessing your jewelry, consider how all of these factors combined may impact the value of your unique pieces.
Brand
There are certain luxury brands that tend to hold their value better on the second-hand market. Some fine jewelry brands that tend to fetch a higher resale price include Cartier, Chanel, Tiffany & Co., and Van Cleef & Arpels. For example, a solitaire diamond engagement ring from Tiffany & Co. will generally have a higher resale price than an unsigned solitaire diamond engagement ring with the same qualities.
Then, additionally, certain collections from luxury designers may also hold their value better due to their high desirability. For example, pieces from Van Cleef & Arpels’ Alhambra collection tend to have a higher resale value, as this collection is consistently in demand.
Market Value
Whether a piece of jewelry is from a well-known brand or is unsigned, it’s salability in the current market has an enormous impact on its resale price. Simply put, if an item is currently considered more desirable in the eyes of consumers (due to its design, materials, or brand), it will have a higher resale value.
Raw Materials
An item’s raw materials will always impact its resale value. An appraiser will assess a piece’s precious metals and gemstones (including assessing the carat weight and qualities of the gemstones) while determining their buying offer. The quality and carat weight of the stones in gemstone and diamond jewelry can dramatically affect a piece’s value.
Condition
If a piece of jewelry has been well cared for and is in good or excellent condition, this has a positive impact on its resale value. On the other hand, if a piece of jewelry is in poor condition and may require repairs, this has a negative impact on its resale value. For example, if you have a piece of gold jewelry, like a gold and diamond ring, that is covered in scratches or has structural damage, it will fetch a lower price than that same piece would if it were in pristine condition.
Box and Papers for Designer Jewelry
Designer jewelry comes with a box and papers from the designer brand. Collectors often consider a designer piece’s box and papers valuable, so having these items can increase the price you get for your pre-owned jewelry. This is especially true for luxury watches. Generally, a luxury watch that comes with its original box and papers will sell for a much higher price than it would without its box and papers.
FAQs
Elements that help define the worth of any estate piece of jewelry include authenticity, historical relevance, purity of materials, rarity of gemstones, and market demand.
How to tell how much jewelry is worth? ›
We recommend taking the piece to a jeweler to be tested. They will have professional tests that will determine whether your jewelry is real as well as the purity of the metal itself. A certified appraiser will be able to provide the value of the piece as well.
What is the value of second hand jewelry? ›
Generally, when you sell pre-owned fine jewelry, you can expect to get around 20 to 50% of the original purchase price. There are a few exceptions to this range. For example, very rare and highly desirable pieces may fetch a higher price.
How do you evaluate old jewelry? ›
How To Assess the Value of Antique Jewellery
- Do you trust your source? ...
- What does your instinct tell you? ...
- Is it in good condition? ...
- How high is the quality of the stones? ...
- Is the design attractive? ...
- What is its historical context? ...
- Are there any hallmarks? ...
- Which metal is it?
ALL ABOUT THE APP
The Diamond Valuer Calculator will give you an approximate figure of what your diamond ring will be valued, for insurance purposes, which is generally the accepted method of determining the value of jewellery pieces.
How is jewellery valuation calculated? ›
How is jewellery valuation calculated? The valuation can be described as the sum of all its parts it can also be described as a figure generated from market-based research of the item as a whole. It may or may not include allowances for defects or wear and tear depending on the nature of the valuation completed.
What type of jewelry holds its value? ›
High-quality materials, such as gold, platinum, and precious gemstones, not only retain their value but may also appreciate over time, making for a solid long-term investment.
Are diamonds worth anything second hand? ›
The typical loss on reselling a diamond is between 25% and 50% of its original purchase price. Like the price of gold, diamonds' resale value can rise and fall depending on some circ*mstances. You can anticipate getting 25-50% less when you resell your diamond than you paid.
Does jewelry have good resale value? ›
Generally, no one type of jewelry is more likely to appreciate in value than others. However, heirloom pieces that have been in your family for generations may hold significant value due to their age—especially if they were made by a notable brand or craftsman.
Should I sell inherited jewelry? ›
It is not wrong to sell the jewelry inherited from your loved ones. No one would want their belongings to burden their family once they've passed away. However, if the jewelry is sentimental to someone in your family, allow them to keep it. You may also consider holding on to a couple pieces of jewerly as a keepsake.
An experienced appraiser visually inspects the jewelry when it enters the pawnshop. They check for indications that indicate the purity of the metal, such as stamps that say "14K" for gold or "925" for silver. In addition to this, they consider the gemstone's color, clarity, and carat weight.
Can a jewelry store tell you how much a ring is worth? ›
Reputable jewelers can give you an estimate of how much each piece is worth for retail or insurance value. Go to the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) website and look for a shop near you that has GIA certified staff.
How to find out if old jewelry is worth anything? ›
The best way to determine if your vintage or antique jewelry is valuable is to get it professionally appraised. However, appraisals cost money, and you probably don't want to waste that money if the jewelry isn't worth anything beyond personal sentiment.
Is it worth selling old jewelry? ›
If you bought your piece reasonably and took good care of it, selling it later can give you a return on investment (ROI). Of course, the amount you get back will depend on the current market value and how well the piece has been maintained, but it's still possible to make some money off your old jewelry.
How do you appraise a piece of jewelry? ›
The most obvious route is at a local jeweler near you. They are likely to be certified and qualified to appraise your jewelry. In this case, you need to make sure that they carry out a resale appraisal, and not another kind of appraisal, like those for insurance or tax.
Is there an app to identify jewellery? ›
Using state-of-the-art image recognition technology, JewelryID can match any jewelry piece to a participating vendor you've connected with.
How do I identify my jewelry? ›
Hallmarks and Stamps: Check for hallmarks, stamps, or maker's marks on the jewelry. These marks can provide valuable information about the metal's purity, the jeweler's or manufacturer's identity, and the piece's origin. Hallmarks: Hallmarks are stamped marks on precious metal jewelry that indicate the metal's purity.
How much is a 14K ring worth? ›
The value of a 14 karat gold ring can vary depending on current market prices and any additional factors such as the design and condition of the ring . However , as a general estimate , a 4.4 gram 14 karat gold ring can fetch around $ 200 to $ 300 .
How do you find a good price on jewelry? ›
Understand your chosen venue and where it is on the jewelry supply chain. Be aware of the latest trends and don't be afraid to speak up and ask for a discount. Know your limits, bring cash, and be prepared to walk away. If you are shopping online, use a search engine to find discount codes before checking out.
