If you have a jewelry collection, it’s essential to know how to assess its quality and value. The right appraisal can significantly affect how much you get for your precious items.
There are several ways to determine the quality of your items and their value, including testing gemstones and metal. You can also look for branded items that a particular designer has created.
Gemstones
The quality of a gemstone can have a significant impact on its value. A good gemstone can have a long shelf life, while a poor one can quickly deteriorate.
To assess the quality of a gemstone, jewelry buyers Springfield MA need to consider several factors. These include clarity, color and size.
Clearness is the ability for light to pass through a stone without being interfered with by flaws or inclusions. Inclusions and blemishes are flaws visible to the naked eye and can reduce the quality of a gemstone.
The clarity of a gemstone also depends on the depth of color. A gemstone with a deep, intense color is more valuable than one that is less saturated or has grayish hues.
Metal
The metal quality in jewelry is an essential factor in determining its value. Generally, the higher the gold or silver content, the better the jewelry.
However, it only sometimes appears to the untrained eye which type of metal a piece of jewelry is made from or its purity, making assessing its authenticity difficult. The first thing to do is check the markings of the jewelry, which are usually found on a ring, bracelet or necklace’s clasp and in the posts of earrings.
These markings will tell you whether the piece is gold or silver, its purity, and who manufactured it. In addition, you can perform a physical test on the jewelry using a magnet to test its quality. If the magnet sticks to any part of the jewelry, it is likely made from costume metal, not real gold or silver.
Setting
The quality of the setting is a critical component of jewelry and plays a vital role in assessing jewelry quality and value. The type of environment that a piece uses should be carefully chosen and compared to established benchmarks.
Bezel settings are the earliest known type of setting technique, and they are still one of the most popular ways to set cabochon stones in jewelry. Bezels are made of a metal strip bent into shape and slightly taller than the stone to be placed in it, then soldered to the jewelry piece.
This method of setting makes the gemstone the focal point of the jewelry piece and allows light reflection to increase the stone’s luster. However, it doesn’t protect the stone from scratches or damage that can occur during wear and tear. It’s also more likely to snag on clothing or other items that can cause damage to the stone and is less durable than prong settings.
Condition
The condition of a piece of jewelry can make all the difference in how much it is worth. A ring in poor shape with many scratches and prongs will likely sell for less than a similar ring in pristine condition.
The weight of a jewelry piece can also indicate its value. Solid gold or silver metal is typically heavy, while brass and pewter are often hollow.
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Stamps: Look for a stamp that reveals the metal content or manufacturer/designer. These should be found on rings, earrings and most bracelets.
Gemstones: Knowing your gemstones’ quality and rarity will help you determine their value. Generally, natural gems have a higher value than synthetic ones.
Responsible sourcing: Many consumers demand that jewelry companies source from small, rights-respecting mines. A company must provide a certificate of compliance with this standard to be trustworthy.
