The market for selling vintage jewellery has increased quite dramatically over the last few years, particularly since Prince William gave Kate his mother’s vintage engagement ring. Working on the basis that you probably don’t have a world-famous 18-carat sapphire ring worth upwards of half a million pounds, you can still read our comprehensive guide to selling vintage jewellery and, while we might not put that amount of money in your pocket, you will know what to do and how to do it when you decide to sell.
It’s important to note here that ‘vintage’ means all things to all people. Diana’s ring was made in the 1980s, but for our purposes, ‘vintage’ refers to jewellery from the last 100 years or so. Older than that, they become antiques!
WHY DO YOU WANT TO SELL VINTAGE JEWELLERY?
Vintage jewellery is usually a considered purchase and because there are so many styles, materials, designers and eras to choose from, collections become eclectic very quickly and you may have a jewellery box full of pieces that is worth much more than you think!
So, if you’ve got a jumble of unloved jewellery at home then perhaps now is the best time to get a free appraisal for your vintage jewellery before you have enough to open a shop!
Finances – you can get instant quotations and almost immediate pay outs online and on the High Street but you are sometimes asked to pay a premium for that sort of service – often paying for a valuation or for handling fees – and you may not get quite what you were hoping for. Check for services that will not charge you for providing their quotes.
Style – Vintage jewellery comes in and out of fashion seemingly at random and what may be a desirable and expensive piece one day may be the very opposite a month later. There are vintage jewellery collectors who will buy collections from you but before you sell vintage jewellery, do your homework.
Inheritance – Jewellery and watches are very common items to find in Wills and you may find you have been left vintage or antique jewellery by an elderly relation. Our advice is to get it accurately aged and valued because you just never know what you have!
HOW TO SELL VINTAGE JEWELLERY
One of the easiest and most straightforward ways to sell vintage jewellery is to sell it based on the value of the gold, silver or platinum. There is a market price for precious metal which doesn’t vary too much.
Alternatively, and possible a more sensible way to go about it is to speak to vintage jewellery experts, like the ones at 62days.com, and discover more about your collection. You could strike lucky and find you have a one-off Fabergé piece worth millions but then again you may not, but you’ll not know for sure unless you ask.
If you want to sell vintage jewellery online, take a series of high quality pictures and make the descriptions as information-led and accurate as possible. People are more likely to buy if they know you’ve taken your time, been honest and know what you’re talking about.
SELLING VINTAGE JEWELLERY ONLINE
Because marketplace websites are so vast, buyers and sellers can sometimes remain anonymous throughout the transaction, so our advice is to be careful who you’re selling to. Since very few of us are experts when it comes to selling vintage jewellery, there are people out there who will prey on our ignorance of the intricacies of the market so instead of playing unnecessary ‘sell vintage jewellery’ games with strangers, be sure you have read feedback and testimonials and that you are comfortable during the process. Look for services provided by respected brands that offer contractual guarantees and secure payment methods.
- 62days.com offers each customer a personalised, free and 100% secure service and our vintage jewellery experts are available online and on the telephone to offer you a no-obligation appraisal and valuation, or to discuss and explain your quote.
- 62days was conceived to allow you to sell your items with no hassle, fuss or stress. Our reputation is growing stronger by the day and we are backed by TRUSTe, the internet’s leading online privacy provider.
- At 62days, we believe our service is unique. After all, how many other sites give you a 62 day cooling off period?
- Low overheads means that we offer our customers extremely competitive prices for vintage jewellery
- We only use 100% secure, trusted online payment providers such as PayPal, Google Checkout, Neteller, Moneybookers or we can deposit your funds straight into your bank account.
- Your items are collected and delivered by FedEx and are insured and fully traceable while in transit and when they arrive with us.
SELLING VINTAGE JEWELLERY AT AUCTION
Selling at auction is not for those who want or need funds quickly. There’s no real effort required on your part however the auctioneers will always need independent proof of what you have and an idea of its sale value.
Visit a few local auctions and see what’s happening, what people are buying and conversely what they’re staying away from. Auction rooms are an excellent way to network with other interested parties and you may even walk away with a contact number or two.
The drawback is that you will have no idea of the final sale price until the gavel drops and the commissions and fees involved can be quite steep.
The advantage is that you may have a piece that sparks a bidding war and you will realise much more than you originally thought. In addition, any good auctioneer should be able to spot valuable vintage jewellery and help to ensure you get top money for it.
VINTAGE JEWELLERY DEALERS
As we’ve said, the market for selling vintage jewellery is increasingly buoyant and there are specialist dealers who will offer valuations, but these come at a cost.
In addition, they will have a contacts book full of interested parties and may even facilitate a sale for you.
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO NOW
If you’ve decided how you want to sell vintage jewellery, now’s the time.
If you’d like to see how you can earn additional income by selling vintage jewellery with an expert appraisal from 62days, simply upload your item now.