Selling antique jewellery

[NetZeroZealot]

Not sure if this is the right board to post on, but here goes ...

I have inherited some quite valuable pieces of antique jewellery. A lot of it I will never wear and it is a hassle - and expensive - to insure.

So I'd like to sell it.

I do understand the insurance value is higher than the sale value. Individual pieces have been valued between £2k and £7k.

Is it better to sell directly to a retailer, or at auction? Anyone got any tips.
Thanks.

Depends on how popular a style it is as to how well it'll sell. Some styles are more fashionable - I think I could sell my mother's mid century jewellery as it's considered fashionable now, but 25 years ago would have been termed hideous!
I would take to a jewellers that does secondhand and see what they offer, as well as contacting an auction house that sells similar pieces and compare. Either way you're unlikely to recoup the actual value/anywhere near the actual value.

Alternatively, you can do what I have done and have a piece/pieces re-made into something you would wear.

Some premium house insurances (M&S I know) have no limit to the amount in £ of jewellery you have with a limited value max per item of £10-15k

I would suggest going to an antiques and collectors fair. You can visit a few stalls to get an idea of what they want to pay, without the commitment. Just remember that they buy low, sell high.

My friend had her mothers diamonds made into a pendant and the most beautiful bangle I've ever seen. Then sold the gold

You could photograph them and good reverse image you maybe lucky. A specialist jewellery auction is worth looking at. Do you have the boxes?

No boxes. And they are not 'big names' just good stones and 18c gold.

The pieces I want to sell can't really be made into anything else.

We have a good insurance broker, so I don't think that would solve the problem. I originally switched insurance because my old one wanted to insist on getting a safe installed which wasn't practical for a number of reasons.

Does anyone know whether it's worth going to the big name auction houses or if a local one will do?

Just remember the valuation wouldn’t be the sale price. For jewellery you would usually expect around half of that price.

If you go local check they sell on SALEROOM and EASY LIVE AUCTION websites that sell online worldwide

Then anyone across the world can bid and buy from them

local auction house selling jewellery

This is an auction house we have used in the past we don't live local to them but our friends do so we take things there when we visit. It is fun to watch online when your items are sold.

You don't pay any fees unless an item is sold then pay a % of the sold price

At some auction houses you have to pay to put your items on their website but have never used them as if it doesn't sell you have to pay them.

We prefer to pay % of the sale price

Send photos next to a ruler to get an estimated sale price

I have just sold a lot of gold jewellery. Some with stones and some just gold. I took it to a local jeweller shop who buy. They sell some stuff themselves and some they just buy for the weight of the gold. They suggested I put a couple of pieces into auction which they arranged. I was amazed how well it all sold for. Even just the gold. It’s a great time to sell gold as the price is quite high just now.