What Is Estate Jewelry, and How Can It Help You?

If you have a family who has appreciated fine jewels for generations, you might be in possession of estate jewelry. These pieces can be quite valuable for their one-of-a-kind nature. If you have some on your possession that you do not intend to wear, you might be able to make a little money by selling them.

So what are these pieces? Estate jewelry refers to any pieces that have had a previous owner. Typically, the owner has passed away or sold his or her items. Most of the time, these pieces are considered antiques. They may have been in the family for several generations and hold value not only because of their carat weight, but also for their vintage designs and rarity.

Now the distinction of pieces from estates and antique or vintage pieces is that those that come from estates may not actually be old. They can be from any era. However, the older pieces, which could also be classified as antique or vintage, are usually the most valuable.

Now, how can these pieces benefit you if you have them in your possession? Well, you could sell them. Often they are sold for much less than their actual value at a sale, and you might be able to turn around and sell the piece for a profit to a dealer who understands its real value. Or, in some instances, you may have inherited the piece from a loved one, only to find that it does not fit your tastes or jewelry needs. Again, you can sell it, use the money to buy something that will better suit you, and allow someone who will appreciate the piece far more get some use out of it.

If you have your hands on some estate jewelry that you are considering selling, make sure you think about your decision carefully. Do you really want to sell? Is there any sentimental value to the piece that would be lost to you if you sold it to someone else? Would someone in your family have their feelings hurt if you sold it, because they really wanted it for sentimental reasons?

So, how can you get the most value out of your piece if you decide to sell it? Find a dealer with a solid reputation. If you know others who have sold pieces, ask them who they sold it to and what they got. You also may want to have it appraised by a third party before you start looking for someone to buy it. You do not want to receive $200 for something valued at $1,000. Of course, you will probably get a little less than the appraised value, because the dealer will have to make a profit when they sell the estate jewelry, but you should get a nice price for a highly valuable piece. So do your homework before you sell, and you should be in good shape to get a high value from the pieces you have.