How can I tell if my Jewellery is a Valuable Item?

valuable-jewellery.jpgDid you know that as of 2015 there was around £60million worth of antique and vintage jewellery going unnoticed in Britain’s homes? Whether it’s something that’s been handed down through generations or a piece you’ve bought at a boot for one pound- it’s worth checking out.

In recent years, the price of jewellery has risen as investors have dabbled in more common pieces that include diamonds, gemstones and collectables.

A fine example of this is a diamond ring bought at a car boot sale for just ten pounds reached a fantastic £656,750 at auction.

How do I identify the value?

If you have a piece of jewellery and are wondering what the value could be, try to gather as much information as possible as to where it came from. Whether this is a receipt, case or letter, you want to figure out where and when it was purchased and by whom.

 

It goes without saying that you should look for any big names on the jewellery. For example, Cartier, Tiffany’s and Van Cleef are all jewellery brands that you can expect to be valued and sought after highly.

Take a close look at the jewellery pieces to see if it has any marks- it could be signed or hallmarked. Marks that appear on jewellery could be the maker’s signature and can help you to identify where it comes from.

Does the jewellery feature any gems or pearls? Pearls are valued higher if they are natural. The only way to be certain of whether they are cultured or natural is by an x-ray, though a jewellery specialist will be able to have a good idea. Colourless gems like diamonds can be worth thousands depending on the carat. Modern cuts are precise but older, antique items are likely to be lumpier. There has also been a recent increase in the value of coloured gems like rubies, emeralds and opals. Their colours should be bright with a good transparency.

It’s important to not rely on your judgement alone. If a piece isn’t to your personal taste, it doesn’t mean it’s not valuable. Like clothes, jewellery goes through different fashions and pieces made in the 70’s and 80’s are widely collected now.

Ideally, you should get a professional valuation done on your jewellery to determine the real value.

Here at Cuttings, we stock a variety of antique jewellery in store. For more information, feel free to visit us at either our Margate or Ramsgate branch or via our contact form

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