Does anyone know about vintage jewellery?

[ElizabethinherGermanGarden]

Is there anyone who knows a lot about jewellery and/or buys secondhand jewellery? I have been left a few things and have been told they are 'good' but have no idea whether this means they would actually be valuable.

If I post a few photos, is there anyone who could give me a very rough idea of value, just so I don't take them in for valuation and then either set my hopes too high or accept 'that's worth 50p love' at face value?

Apparently everything is real and is what it looks like it is.

A jeweller will mostly give you the insurance valuation whereas an auction house will give you an valuation on what they’re likely to sell for, very different to the insurance one so it depends which you plan to do, sell or keep & insure though most house insurance will cover jewellery that has no great individual value.
I’d take it to a local auction house. You’re under no obligation to sell though they may charge a little bit if you don’t intend to put it into one of their sales. Jewellers usually charge for insurance valuations.

Thanks for this advice - auction house sounds like the way to go. We do have some independent jewellers around here, too, so I could ask.

Based on PermanentTemporary's advice, I sent off for online valuation of the military brooch - not diamonds, worth about £10. Not the best start! 😂

Try contacting Laidlaw auction house in Carlisle. He specialises in militaria & is very helpful.

The Army brooch is called a 'sweetheart brooch' here's some info on them. Any family in the forces? www.historyworkshop.org.uk/radical-objects-military-sweetheart-brooches-of-the-first-world-war/

Oh dear im sorry!

WWII as well. I have one that my dad, who was an RAF pilot all through the war gave to my mum.

That ring is stunning !

Ah, I was wondering if the RAF brooch was the most expensive - I was thinking it looked very much like an Asprey one I'd seen on EBay

The emerald ring is good but second hand value is a shocker - so if you took it to a gold exchange they'd likely offer you something ridiculous like £150-200 but on EBay you would get much closer to it's real value. I've seen similar rings, I'm guessing Art Deco go for £500- 600 on EBay

The ruby earrings may not go for much - you need good photos of hallmarks (and for the ring)

The Victorian brooch - if you post a picture of the rear catch I might be able to say whether it is Victorian or later - it's very shiny from the front

Actually ignore what I said about the ring, I've zoomed in and I think it's much more expensive than what I said

I’m a silversmith.

In your position, just for interest I’d buy myself a jewellers loupe - about £7 on Amazon. Some come with little LED lights they are good!

Then get online on one of the many hallmark wizards - at the least it’ll tell you the age of the pieces which is a starting point to research.

Then to back up anything you find, take the pieces along to either an independent jeweller or reputable auction house (if you’re in the Midlands I can recommend a couple).