Is there any online way to appraise vintage jewelry?

TPF may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, and others

#5
SHHMOM said:
Thanks. Do you know how much an appraisal usually cost?
Click to expand...

It depends what it's for and who you go to. I've spent a lot per appraisal because of the demands of specific insurance policies. It can be harder to get a good appraisal for antique or vintage pieces because replacement value really isn't an option.
 
#6
mistikat said:
It depends what it's for and who you go to. I've spent a lot per appraisal because of the demands of specific insurance policies. It can be harder to get a good appraisal for antique or vintage pieces because replacement value really isn't an option.
Click to expand...


I really just want to have an idea if things are worth 200 vs 20,000. I just have no idea.
 
#7
Do any of the pieces have markings like 14k, 750, 925? That is an indicator that they're made of real metals and generally means the pieces at least have intrinsic gold value.


Personally I don't have anything appraised unless it's at least 14k and has significant stones. I've found appraisals to not mean much -- a high appraisal doesn't mean you can resell a piece for a lot.


I guess it depends on why you want the appraisal.
 
#8
JenW said:
Do any of the pieces have markings like 14k, 750, 925? That is an indicator that they're made of real metals and generally means the pieces at least have intrinsic gold value.


Personally I don't have anything appraised unless it's at least 14k and has significant stones. I've found appraisals to not mean much -- a high appraisal doesn't mean you can resell a piece for a lot.


I guess it depends on why you want the appraisal.
Click to expand...


They say 750 and 925
 
#9
JenW said:
Do any of the pieces have markings like 14k, 750, 925? That is an indicator that they're made of real metals and generally means the pieces at least have intrinsic gold value.


Personally I don't have anything appraised unless it's at least 14k and has significant stones. I've found appraisals to not mean much -- a high appraisal doesn't mean you can resell a piece for a lot.


I guess it depends on why you want the appraisal.
Click to expand...


I don't really want to sell the items I just want to have an idea of what I have. For example, I had a string of black pearls that broke for the third time this year and finally put them in the trash because I was tired of paying to restring them but I have another pair of pearls that I was told are natural pearls and are supposedly worth a lot so I wouldn't want to make a mistake and ever throw them away. I just want to have an idea of what I have because it effects how I use them.
 
#11
laurineg1 said:
750 is 18k gold and 925 is sterling silver. You would have to pay for written appraisals, but if you know a neighborhood jeweler, you could ask them to give you their opinion.
Click to expand...


Yes the 925 says silver, the 750 I looked up and say that it's 18k. I am not really worries about any silver. I will try just asking a local jeweler I just really want an idea. I have asked the local jeweler before if things I real. I just hate to keep bothering them because I don't really buy things there I only get things repaired.
 
#13
SHHMOM said:
I don't really want to sell the items I just want to have an idea of what I have. For example, I had a string of black pearls that broke for the third time this year and finally put them in the trash because I was tired of paying to restring them but I have another pair of pearls that I was told are natural pearls and are supposedly worth a lot so I wouldn't want to make a mistake and ever throw them away. I just want to have an idea of what I have because it effects how I use them.
Click to expand...

They are likely cultured pearls; natural pearls are ultra rare, very expensive, and it would be extremely uncommon to find a strand of them.

Appraisals on jewelry are typically (but not always) done for insurance purposes so the appraiser typically looks for a replacement value. That takes into consideration some appreciation because they assume you won't be losing the piece/filing a claim imminently.

If you have a good jeweller whom you trust, just take your pieces to him or her and ask. Not everything gold (or silver) is terribly valuable. And value is a really mutable concept ... people often pay a lot more for a branded piece of jewelry but the intrinsic value of the metal and stones may not be that high.
 
#14
mistikat said:
They are likely cultured pearls; natural pearls are ultra rare, very expensive, and it would be extremely uncommon to find a strand of them.



Appraisals on jewelry are typically (but not always) done for insurance purposes so the appraiser typically looks for a replacement value. That takes into consideration some appreciation because they assume you won't be losing the piece/filing a claim imminently.



If you have a good jeweller whom you trust, just take your pieces to him or her and ask. Not everything gold (or silver) is terribly valuable. And value is a really mutable concept ... people often pay a lot more for a branded piece of jewelry but the intrinsic value of the metal and stones may not be that high.
Click to expand...


My family claims they are natural, is there a place I can take them to, to find out?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top