Jewelry! In a discussion about family valuables, you might assume that this word would guarantee the attention of experts. But think again.
“A lot of modern jewelry stores have very little interest in vintage and antique jewelry due to their lack of understanding on how to date pieces, on what is historically significant, and about the overall market,” explains Amy Goodell of Chesapeake Collectibles.
Collectors may be savvy about pieces they acquire, but Goodell notes that in general, “When people inherit jewelry, they typically have no idea what they have been given.” So Goodell, Alex Cooper jewelry specialist and owner of Miceli Appraisers and Liquidators, has earnest advice for anyone looking for an assessment of heirloom items.
Too many retailers, she cautions, will see only gold weight value or the reuse possibilities of significant stones. Consumers need to research the professional experience of anyone they consult about their jewelry items.
Seek someone with training from the Gemological Institute of America, says Goodell, a graduate gemologist of GIA, and “with appraisal credentials or from a jewelry store that specializes in estate jewelry.” Those are the specialists, she says, who “can date pieces, perhaps helping to fill in family history, as well as determine the quality of the gemstones — are they natural or synthetic? — and determine a realistic fair market value or replacement cost for insurance purposes, which aids the owner in making decisions.”
As Chesapeake Collectibles fans celebrate the return of the show for its 11th season, they can revisit the revelations of past years by streaming episodes found on the program’s website at mpt.org/programs/chesapeakecollectibles/chesapeakecollectibles-past-seasons/.