DIAMONDS AND GLAMORE

GRAND MOTHERS JEWELRY

Have you ever inherited a piece of old jewelry from a loved one and wondered, “What do I do with this?”

If so, this article is for you. There are some helpful tips here, both for selling an item like this, as well as how to best enjoy it. Not all of us are lucky enough to have inherited a piece of jewelry, but if fortune has smiled on you in this way, I hope these recommendations are useful to you.

As a jeweler, the number one question I am asked lost is “Do you buy jewelry?” From people who find themselves in this situation. Bear in mind, it is never the Grannie or auntie in her later stages of life calling me up to ask “Will you buy my life’s treasures from me so I can split the cash value amongst my relatives?”, but always those who have been gifted these items after their loved one has passed on. Please let me say before I can answer the “What do I do?” Questions, I would like to get to the “Why do I have this ring?” Part of the equation, first. When a person chooses to spend his or her hardearned money on a jewelry item, it was more than likely a way of collecting a bit of joy that they could hold in their hand. That is all a piece of jewelry is. A wearable treasure, sometimes made from long-lasting materials, That serves as a marker in time for life’s special events and occasions. They are not stocks, bonds, investments, or cashier’s checks. You have just inherited a thing from a person that brought them a smile, a sense of pride, and a heartfelt story connected to the piece. My first answer To “What do I do with this?” Will always be to wear and enjoy it, even if it does not fit your own personal style. I do not care if you think it is ugly. It is the memory of this loved one you are holding close to you each time you wear it. You are honoring their memory by choosing to enjoy that which brought them a smile. Wear that ring.

Alright, my sentimental side has shared enough. Now I will answer your “How do I sell this wedding ring of my aunt for as much cash as possible?” Questions. This is not an easy answer to hear, but the longer you wait to sell it, likely, the more money you can sell it for. The quicker you want

the cash, the less cash you might get. Jewelry stores and on-line merchants pay top dollar for either a strong mall presence, web presence, or hefty advertising bucks to draw a broad range of shopping customers to their doors to see if their jewelry offerings can fit the discriminating tastes and budgets of the potential jewelry shoppers of this world. It’s not about what piece you have inherited, but what is the global demand for the exact type of item you have acquired? Who wants what you are trying to sell? The jewelry store already has suppliers in place for newer, shinier goods than your inherited ring is, so you would need to sell this ring to them for less than they can buy new, better goods, in order for that purchase to make sense to them.

If you are unsure about the quality or make-up of this item you have inherited, head to your closest local, trusted jeweler and ask them to clean and inspect the piece for you. They might point out to you some repairs the item needs, but tell them that right now you are simply trying to get a good understanding of how this item looks when it is clean. You don’t need to tell them your motives just yet; sit back and allow them to tell you what they see when they examine it closely after cleaning it for you. The more interesting your piece is, the more questions they will ask you about it.

If you are in a store that is uninterested in cleaning your ring for free and they do not offer advice or tips for good jewelry care, then move along to a different jeweler. These are not the right people for the job. You want to find a jeweler who wants to make sure you are enjoying your jewelry properly. Then you have found a place you can trust.

Remember when I said that this could take some time? It can take a few stops to find a jewelry store that wants you to fully understand what you have and honestly give you the best advice for the most advantageous decision you can make. The more places you visit, the more clearly your image of the piece will come into view. If you have a ring that requires repairs that far exceed the cash value of the item, you need to know this. Don’t let anyone talk you into expensive repairs unless they are qualified to justify the value in the piece they are assessing for you. Follow your gut, and patience will pay off. If a store offers you cash on the spot for the item, ask them to write it down for you. If the offer is good enough to be put to paper, it is probably a fair offer. When you are able to sit down later and look over all of your notes and offers from every place you have visited, you will have a better sense of what offer to pursue.

I will leave you with one final piece of advice, and that is what my grandmother Joyce Sutherland told me “Never sell a watch or a piece of jewelry, unless it will change your life”. If your life is to remain the same, you might as well feel more elegant and bejeweled in the process.

Wear That Ring.

Wear That Ring.