Jewelry expertise second-hand, for what, by whom and how?

The expertise of a jewel second-hand, what are we evaluating?

Why a vintage jewelry appraisal?

The expertise of your jewelry allows you to know their value, sometimes even the history or their particularity, and is essential in different situations:

• when you want to sell them, in order to establish a consistent selling price
• as part of an inheritance or sharing of these assets
• to insure your precious parts, particularly in the event of theft 

Who does a vintage jewelry appraise by?

Different professionals can provide you with a price in line with the market (gold merchants, jewelers, etc.). However, for jewelry of a certain value or branded, it is recommended that this assessment be carried out by approved experts, whose status is defined by law, and holders of diplomas recognized by the State. 

Thanks to their knowledge of the market but also of antique jewelry, branded or gems, depending on their specialty, they are able to impartially estimate your pieces. At the house of 58 Facettes, we also offer you a free appraisal service and possibly repurchase of your jewelry once appraised.

How to evaluate a vintage piece of jewelry?

During an appraisal, different characteristic elements of your parts are evaluated.

For example, the nature of the metal constituting them such as gold, platinum or thesilver, is a first element to be confirmed, the hallmarks present on the jewel being obligatory in France from a certain weight of precious metal (varying depending on the metal). This title mark corresponds to an official seal guaranteeing the titration of your jewelry, that is to say the composition of the precious metal with the other metals in the alloy. Your pieces must also contain a maker's mark, in the shape of a diamond, which allows you to know the workshop where the jewelry was made.

The stones adorning your jewelry also play a determining role. These can be commonly called precious like diamond and sapphire, or fine like garnet and aquamarine. These stones can be accompanied by laboratory certificates which specify their characteristics, any treatments and sometimes their origin of extraction.

The condition, weight, time of manufacture or style of your jewelry are also taken into account, as is its possible transformation over time.

All these elements will be taken into account by the expert to provide you with the most complete evaluation possible.