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
Resale Value. 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 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 resale value of jewelry? ›
When selling diamond or designer jewelry, you can expect to receive 20% to 50% of the original purchase price. The exact percentage you will receive is dependent on various factors such as: brand, condition and market demand.
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 do I value my jewelry myself? ›
Value Your Items First
If you decide to try and value the jewellery yourself, here a few things to look out for: Hallmarks – there are several markings in which you can identify certain attributes about the piece. Town marks – these indicate where it was created. Dateletters – these indicate when it was created.
How to calculate fair market value for jewelry? ›
When appraising for fair market value, you would take into account a combination of factors, including:
- Recent auction records.
- Secondhand market information.
- Relevant price guides.
- Information from stores selling similar items.
Selling inherited jewelry doesn't mean you're erasing cherished memories or disrespecting the person who left it to you. Sometimes, it could be a practical decision, especially if you're facing financial hardships or if the piece doesn't align with your personal style.
How to get inherited jewellery valued? ›
You've come to the right place.
The NAJ's Institute of Registered Valuers (IRV) is the 'go to' appraisal body to find out how much your jewellery, watch or silverware is worth. All IRVs abide by the NAJ's Principles of Best Practice for Valuers.
What jewelry never loses value? ›
Only high-quality jewelry is stable in value
Gold and platinum are very stable in value, even diamonds or luxurious colored gemstones hardly lose value.
The Worth of Jewelry: Retail Value vs.
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.
What jewelry holds its value the most? ›
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.
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.
How much do Jewellers charge for valuations? ›
Example Valuation Fees (1)
| One-off document fee: | £70.00 |
|---|
| A pair of 0.50ct diamond stud earrings: | £65.00 |
| A standard sapphire and diamond cluster ring: | £65.00 |
| A standard antique ruby and diamond brooch: | £65.00 |
| A 1.40ct diamond single stone ring: | £105.00 (1.40ct x £75/ct) |
1 more rowThe 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.
How to check the price of jewellery? ›
1. How much is my jewellery worth?
- The NAJ's Institute of Registered Valuers (IRV) is the 'go to' appraisal body to find out how much your jewellery, watch or silverware is worth. All IRVs abide by the NAJ's Principles of Best Practice for Valuers.
- Find a Valuer.
- Find a Valuer.
- Find a Jeweller.
- Find a Valuer near you.
AcuVal is deigned to be used by both owners of items and jewellers, valuers and allied professionals.
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 you identify vintage jewelry? ›
Vintage pieces may show slight signs of tarnish, scratches, or fading, which can add to their charm and authenticity. Style and Design Elements: Pay attention to the overall style and design elements of the jewelry. Look for specific motifs, patterns, and shapes that are indicative of certain eras or designers.
