Getting a string of pearls valued

[VintedQueen]

I’m holding onto a string or Pearls bought from Bravingtons of Fleet Street - still in original box, possibly bought in the 30’s. What could I do with them?! I and my family have no interest in keeping them and I’d rather sell them if they’re worth something. How do I get them valued?! Who looks at pearls these days?

PrI pare to be very disappointed.

Go down to local independent high street jewellery. If they can’t value they will be able to sign post

Your local auction house will give you a free verbal valuation for auction purposes

Any reputable local jeweller. Some of the independent ones may even be willing to buy them.

I have some vintage Mikimoto pearls. The valuations I've had are tiny! ☹️ sorry OP

I don’t know why but vintage pearls aren’t worth anything.

Because they are deeply unfashionable?

who wears pearls these days?

if no one wants to buy them they aren’t worth anything.

Yeah. Beautiful as they are, wearing pearls isn't really a thing now is it?

having had a quick google - sotherby’s do online jewellery valuation.

submit your photos and see?

I had my nana’s pearls valued at a local auction house. Agreed they weren’t worth much. I do wear them sometimes though.

I don’t think so. What’s “deeply unfashionable” today will eventually cycle back into fashion. Maybe not in the same way, but I believe we will see pearls again. They actually should be making a comeback now, with brooches and boxy silhouettes.

if that is the case, o/p will have to hold on to them until they do cycle back into fashion and the demand rises.

until then though, if no one wants to buy them they aren’t worth anything.

They aren’t worth much sadly as often the lustre has gone in older pearls but for those saying pearls are unfashionable they were something I noticed in the Devil wears Prada 2 and thought how lovely they looked layered up. Am off to hunt for some family ones I have in a jewellery box somewhere.

Love pearls!

@applepinkierainbow Love this! I have never actually considered wearing them myself!

Thank you.

A lady that I work with had some pearls valued that had belonged to her mother in law. She was told they are worth very little now because factory made pearls are so realistic it is impossible to tell the difference.

Debenhams is currently selling a real pearl necklace reduced to £18.75

www.debenhams.com/product/jon-richard-knotted-cream-pearl-necklace_p-c608a4a0-7877-4763-961d-e13d43071155?colour=Cream&size=One+Size&srsltid=AfmBOoqSFx1orAwUn3TxDXrSQNCVfsOhiJJQjg9tHg3vda4LhydCCghrr3Y

That clearly says it’s an imitation pearl necklace!

Ok get a bona fide real one for £118

www.debenhams.com/product/spero-london-natural-freshwater-real-seed-pearl-strand-necklace_p-3dc471e0-0e80-42ce-9cc9-2bf90e7fd6d7?colour=White

I absolutely love pearls, delicate ones though, not the old chunky ones.

Find a local “working” independent jeweller… they are, quite literally, worth their weight in gold 😆 I have sold a lot of inherited jewellery to my local guy, mainly gold and watches admittedly, but I’d trust him to give me a honest answer… he usually does.

I’ll do that. I’ve come across so many items - brooches, gold chains, an antique silver jewellery box. Nobody on the family wants them but giving them away seems wrong.

I always check with my adult children whether anyone wants items, but if they don’t then there’s really no point in things sitting round in the safe. Plus the gold price is still pretty high and it’s amazing what a few broken bits of chain are worth. Then I just split the cash with the kids 😄