Losing a loved one is never easy. It can be even harder when their items have been passed down to you. These pieces of jewelry may stir up a whirlwind of emotions or memories. To help you through the grieving process, you may have decided to part with the jewelry. Or, perhaps you’ve decided to store it away for safekeeping. In either case, you need to know the true value of these pieces. By getting the jewelry professionally appraised, you can sell your inherited jewelry for the right amount or get it properly insured.

4 Factors That Determine the Worth of Your Inherited Jewelry

When you meet with a local jeweler to have your inherited jewelry appraised, they will walk you through each of these factors when estimating the value of your antique jewelry:

Manufacturer

The company or artisan who made the piece of jewelry can significantly influence its value. Mass-produced jewelry will not be worth as much as a ring or necklace made by a high-end jeweler or a piece made with a diamond with a rare cut.

Look for a maker’s mark engraved on the jewelry — it may be a name or logo — to get an idea of the worth of your jewelry based on the manufacturer. If the jewelry was made more than a century ago, narrowing down who the maker was might be challenging. Still, a reputable jeweler can help you determine the time period of the jewelry.

Rarity

The more rare your jewelry is, the higher it will be valued. If your inherited piece cannot be easily replicated or contains a rare gemstone, you will be able to receive more for it when you decide to sell.

Condition

Jewelry passed down from one generation to the next likely shows signs of wear. If your jewelry has cracks, scratches, or chips, its value may be less than it would have been if it was in perfect condition.

Materials

Another factor that plays a role in the value of your inherited fine jewelry is the individual components making up the piece. Is your jewelry made of gold or high-quality silver? Does it contain a 2-carat diamond, blue sapphire, green emerald, or other precious stone? The condition and rarity of these individual materials can greatly affect the worth of your inherited jewelry.

Have Your Jewelry Appraised by a Professional

You can only know the true value of your inherited jewelry by having it appraised by an experienced and reputable jeweler. When you have your inherited or estate jewelry appraised, the appraiser will include the following information:

• The type of value being determined — whether that’s fair market value, replacement value, or liquidation value
• A description of the jewelry being valued
• The process taken to arrive at the estimate
• The appraiser’s qualifications
• The appraiser’s signature

To Sell or Not to Sell: Find the Value of Your Inherited Jewelry

When you turn to our experts, you can expect to always receive a fair estimate of the value of your inherited jewelry. We will describe the valuation process in detail, so you can feel confident in the final value we offer. You have no obligation to sell to us after the appraisal. You can decide to keep the jewelry and have it insured instead of selling it. No matter what you choose to do, you will have an accurate estimate of how much your gold jewelry costs.

Get in touch with our silver and gold jewelry buyers in Boston, MA, today to have your inherited jewelry appraised!