As a savvy jewelry shopper, you know that your gold jewelry is worth cold hard cash in your hand. You also know that Loudoun Jewelers is one of the premier buyers of gold jewelry in the Ashburn, Virginia area.
But do you know what your other jewelry is worth? Is it even worth anything? Absolutely! Keep reading and learn how to verify what type of valuable jewelry may be hiding in the back of your jewelry box, sock drawer, or attic!
All jewelry, no matter what kind, has some type of value. You might be holding onto unworn and no longer used jewelry hiding in your bedroom, bathroom, or closet because it has sentimental value.
You might still have a pair of earrings because you remember the girls’ weekend you had with your sisters years back, and the cute little antique shop off the beaten path where you found those earrings. Or maybe you have a watch or pair of cufflinks from a good friend’s wedding.
While it’s normal to associate value with sentimental items, they may or may not have cash value. Loudoun Jewelers buys everything when it comes to jewelry, precious metals, and watches. But below are a couple of helpful tips for assessing the true value of your jewelry at home before bringing it to us.
Check out the age & style
Did you know that in order for a piece of jewelry to be considered vintage, it needs to be at least thirty years old? And if you’re ready to feel old, that means before 1992!! If you’re looking at a piece of antique jewelry, you’re looking at something at least one hundred years old! Sometimes you can look at a jewelry piece and guess whether it’s one hundred years old or not.
If you have jewelry that is one hundred years old or more, it probably falls into one of these antique jewelry styles:
- Georgian (1700 – 1830)
- Victorian (1830 – 1900)
- Edwardian (1900-1910)
- Art Nouveau (1890 – 1910)
Jewelry pieces belonging to these more “recent” times are also considered antique:
- Art Deco (1915 – 1935)
- Retro (1930 – 1940)
Look for the manufacturer’s methods
How a piece of jewelry is manufactured is a huge indicator of its cash value. If in doubt about the authenticity of the metal in your jewelry, just weigh it! Gold, silver, and platinum are heavy metals, so if your jewelry is coming up light, that could indicate a fake (although you should always have pieces inspected by the experts at Loudoun Jewelers to be sure).
Additionally, fine jewelry made with precious heavy metals is typically stamped to indicate its authenticity. Here are a few common stamps you may find on your jewelry pieces that mean they are made using fine metals:
- Gold: 22K, 18K, 14K, 10K, 916, 750, 585, 375
- Silver: 925, 800, silver, sterling
- Platinum: 950, 900, PLATINUM, PLAT
Lastly, if you’re looking at vintage or antique jewelry, check the prongs used! High-quality, valuable jewelry should never use glue along with prongs. Gemstones set in sturdy prongs such as tension, bezel, or channel settings are a good indicator that you have a quality piece on your hands.
No matter what kind of jewelry you have, it has value. More than likely, it probably has more than just sentimental value! In order to truly appraise your jewelry and give you a good sense of what it’s worth, have a professional look at your pieces.
Loudoun Jewelry is your local expert in the Ashburn, Virginia area to value, appraise, and make you a fair and reasonable offer for your fine jewelry. You already know that Loudoun Jewelry is your first stop for selling your gold jewelry for cash, so why not bring in your other fine jewelry pieces for appraisal and estimates? You won’t be disappointed when you walk out with cash in hand!
Give us a call today and visit our website for more information!
