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Value Guide for Estate and Antique Jewelry

What is My Antique Jewelry Worth?

Find the value of estate jewelry and vintage and custom jewelry easy as 1-2-3! First, check the list. Next, search the Heritage Auctions archives to find the value of similar items sold at auction. Ready to sell? Request a free appraisal from the experts at Heritage Auctions.

1

What Estate and Vintage Jewelry is Valuable?

Check the list for examples of jewelry that Heritage Auctions seeks for consignment to auction. Don't see your jewelry on the list? Search our archives to find the selling price of similar items. Read more

Check the list for examples of jewelry that Heritage Auctions seeks for consignment to auction. Don't see your jewelry on the list? Search our archives to find the selling price of similar items.

YES
  • Antique fine jewelry 100+ years old
  • Vintage fine jewelry 50+ year old
  • Fine jewelry owned by a celebrity
  • Large loose gemstones -- unmounted diamonds, sapphires and rubies, e.g.
  • Antique and vintage diamond and pearl necklaces
NO
  • Costume jewelry or hat pins
  • Comic watches or clocks
  • Sterling silver jewelry
  • Ivory jewelry
2

How to Lookup Antique and Estate Jewelry Values

The best way to value your collectible antique jewelry is to search the auction archives to find the actual sale price of similar items. Read more

The best way to value your collectible antique jewelry is to search the auction archives to find the actual sale price of similar items.

Search Auction Archives

What Determines the Value of Antique Jewelry?

There are several factors an appraiser looks at in determining the auction value of an individual item.

  • Age : Was the item designed during a particular period or era in history (i.e. Victorian, Art Deco, etc.)?
  • Designer : Is the jewelry item attributed to a particular designer such as Cartier or Tiffany? Look for the maker's mark on the jewelry to determine authenticity.
  • Materials : What is the item made of, gold or platinum? Metals carry different values. Are the gemstones precious like diamonds or semi-precious such as citrine?
  • Provenance : Did the item belong to a famous or well-known individual? Can the provenance be proven?
  • Quality : Basically, one is looking to make the distinction between fine materials and commercial grade materials. There are a number of observations to make with regard to quality. Are the gemstones lively and bright? Are the diamonds white? Are the sapphires medium blue vs. inky blue? In an item having numerous gemstones, how well matched are the colors? This question also applies to pearls. Is the strand well matched for color, shape, luster and surface?
  • Rarity : In a material sense, is there an uncommon gemstone type or size (for example a 10.00 carat diamond)?
  • Size : Is the diamond, gemstone or pearl larger than usual? An example would be a South Sea cultured pearl vs. a seed pearl. Is the pocket watch a standard or common size? Is it over-sized or is it extremely thin such as a tuxedo watch?
  • Uniqueness : Is the item one-of-a-kind or is it mass-produced?
3

How to Get a Free Jewelry Appraisal Online

Are you ready to sell your antique or estate jewelry? The first step in getting an accurate appraisal is to have the items assessed by a professional. Read more

Heritage has been serving the collectibles community for over three decades. During that time we have grown to become the world's largest collectibles dealer by always giving a fair deal.
We are always looking for quality Jewelry and Timepieces to purchase or auction. Request a free appraisal today.

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Headshot photo of Jill Burgum

Meet our expert: Jill Burgum

Executive Director, Fine Jewelry, Dallas
(214) 409-1697
Specialties: Antique Jewelry, Antiques Roadshow Expert, Gemstones, Jewelry, Timepieces
View Biography

Jill Burgum has dedicated the last three decades to the field of jewelry. After graduating from the University of Hawaii at Manoa with a B.A. in Art History, she attended Bowman Tech and Stewart’s International for training in jewelry manufacturing and repair. Her studies led to the Gemological Institute of America in Santa Monica, California, where she completed degrees in Graduate Gemology and Jewelry Design in 1994.

Ms. Burgum began her professional career working for a private jeweler in San Diego, CA. She then moved to San Francisco as a jewelry cataloger for Butterfield & Butterfield Auctions in 1996. She transferred to their Los Angeles Jewelry department in 1997 as a lead specialist, eventually leaving to build two jewelry websites for start-up companies. She has also worked in retail jewelry sales and owned an independent jewelry appraisal business. Ms. Burgum is USPAP compliant. She is a member of the National Association of Jewelry Appraisers, an International Member of the Jewellery Valuers Association (U.K.), the Scottish Gemmological Association, and the Women’s Jewelry Association.

She has contributed to Art + Auction, Brilliant, Eclat, Maine Antiques Digest, Modern Jeweler, MSN Money, and Rapaport magazines.  Ms. Burgum has been a guest lecturer for the Los Angeles Natural History Museum, Gem & Mineral Council, the Jewellery Valuers Association, the Women’s Jewelry Association, and the National Association of Jewelry Appraisers and has appeared as a specialist on HGTV, KTLA, CNN, FOX Business, and Antiques Roadshow.

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