Inherited jewellery

[ScotHill]

Not just watches, but we have inherited jewellery from a relative - what is the best way to get it valued and sold without getting ripped off? Only a few bits might be very valuable and some we want to keep, but wouldn't want a dealer making more than their fair share out of it.

In Scotland but travel near the Jewellery Quarter in Birmingham every so often if that increases our options.

[bristolbaron]

The Birmingham assay office can do insurance valuations but these won’t be in any way reflective of what you’d get offered to buy. Difficult even to work back as a percentage as each piece would value differently.
Your best bet will be to try a handful of different places locally. I wouldn’t necessarily recommend selling in somewhere like the quarter as unless the items have value as antiques then stone/metal prices will probably be lower.

[ctrph]

You can get things valued at the assay office but depending on the item it may not be worth it.

You can also speak to fellows auctions in the jewellery quarter. They will give you a good idea what it is worth, if you have gem set jewellery then selling through auction will get you the most money as the majority of 'jewellers' only buy in on gold weight and possibly give you something for any diamonds because they don't know how to identify and value coloured gemstones.

[ScotHill]

Thanks, the thing about taking set jewellery to auction rather than a dealer is interesting, will look into that.

[ctrph]

ScotHill said:

Thanks, the thing about taking set jewellery to auction rather than a dealer is interesting, will look into that.

I briefly worked for fellows after graduating as a gemmologist and they get pretty good money for gem set stuff, plus the staff are knowledgeable as they are a specialist jewellery auction house.

[gentlemanwatchcollector]

Auctioneers will potentially get you more but remember you will be paying 20% plus vat commission and potentially wait a while until the next auction ie the uplift in price they earn in commission and you don't see it.