Sell Your Jewelry with Sotheby's (2024)

FAQs

How long does it take to sell with Sotheby's? ›

Simply follow the steps below and our specialists will review your submission at no cost and provide preliminary estimates for items that can be included in one of our sales channels in 15 to 20 days.

If you wish to sell with Sotheby's please access our free and easy-to-use online valuation service. You only need to provide some information and upload images from your phone or laptop. Our specialists will review your submission and issue preliminary estimates for items that can be included in our sales.

Simply click here, select "Start Selling," follow the steps, and submit your item. Our specialists will review your submission at no cost and provide preliminary estimates for items that can be included in one of our sales channels in 15 to 20 days. How do I sell with Sotheby's?

A uniform commission rate for sellers across categories.

Sotheby's now has a uniform seller's commission rate of 10% on the first $500,000 of the hammer price per lot, across all categories. We do not charge a seller's commission on the portion of the hammer price above $500,000 per lot.

Sotheby's excels in American furniture and photography. Christie's excels in European furniture, books, and manuscripts. Both of them market themselves for having fantastic jewelry collections. Yet, due to their similarities, who people choose to buy and sell to largely comes down to “who's nicer” when they meet them.

We take great care providing accurate and informed estimates for all items that are potentially suitable for sale with us. These estimates are preliminary, subject to physical or virtual (for Buy Now) examination of the item, as well as market fluctuations.

Depending on your location, you may bring your property directly to Sotheby's galleries, where a department specialist will meet with you, conduct an evaluation, and provide you with a preliminary auction estimate. If visiting Sotheby's offices is not practical, it is possible to have a basic valuation done by mail.

Yes, Sotheby's accepts bids from both individuals and organizations. If you would like to create an account for your organization, please create an account with Sotheby's as an individual first.

Sotheby's provides complimentary estimates, but our specialists will only offer estimates for property they identify as suited for sale within the current market for the clientele we serve.

Is Sotheby's reliable? ›

Selling with Sotheby's

As the world's largest, most trusted and dynamic marketplace for art and luxury, Sotheby's consistently achieves prices that meet or exceed pre-sale estimates.

Like many other auctions, Sotheby's holds a first price ascending bid auction, where bidders continuously bid until the highest price wins. Sotheby's also uses a reserve price to ensure that the seller makes some profit relative to how they value the art piece.

The bottom line is that it doesn't matter what your jewelry is appraised for. The only thing that matters is what you can get for it. What it is worth is what someone is willing to pay for it. And most likely the person who is willing to pay the most is your local jeweler.

For pricing and appraisals, selling to jewelry stores is better than pawn shops. Pawn shops have high overhead costs and typically resell items at a lower price. Jewelry stores have in-house master jewelers who can provide accurate appraisals and higher prices for your jewelry.

Sotheby's will respond to your auction estimate request within 4-6 weeks.

On average, traditional auctions take 10-12 weeks from instruction to completion. Modern auctions take slightly longer on average at 12-16 weeks. If you set an aggressive price and agree a pre-auction sale, it's possible to instruct, exchange and complete on an auction sale in as little as 4 weeks.

Like many other auctions, Sotheby's holds a first price ascending bid auction, where bidders continuously bid until the highest price wins. Sotheby's also uses a reserve price to ensure that the seller makes some profit relative to how they value the art piece.