How to Value Inherited Jewelry
Things to Consider When Selling or Dividing an Estate
When a loved one passes away, among all of the other challenges and difficulties, there comes the need to divide the jewelry portion of the estate. Arriving at a fair and equitable division can be tricky, but this article should help guide you through some of the issues.
Before we begin, if you would prefer more personalized information, please feel free to reach out to us. We offer a free consultation where our jewelry experts will sit down with you and explain the different types of value and how they relate to your particular jewelry.
Jewelry, to many people, is a “caveat emptor” or “buyer beware” area of life. How a small polished rock can be worth the same amount as a car or a house will never be understood by some people. A big reason for this is that evaluating jewelry and arriving at an accurate value is not an easy skill set. It requires vast, detailed knowledge and experience together to do well. As a result of this, dividing up the jewelry in an estate can often lead to distrust and frustration.
The Secret to a Fair Division of Jewelry
The key to creating the right atmosphere to have an equitable division of wealth in an inheritance situation is to set the jewelry value at a standard that everyone understands. The two important points there are: the jewelry value standard and everyone understanding. If either point is missing, then the equitable division of the jewelry is in doubt.
Like most products, jewelry value is not one set number. It changes with the situation (who is buying, and who is selling) and the marketplace (global economy, commodity prices, local jewelry market, etc.). And, it changes with time and styles.
Unfortunately, jewelry value is not as simple as the cash a piece could be sold for at any given time. For example, the jewelry value of an item could be $1,000 given one set of conditions, but in a certain area, given the way it was put out to market, the condition of the item, the photo in the ad, and a million more factors the seller may only find a buyer willing to pay $800. This does not change the jewelry value. It simply means that the current owner could only find a willing buyer at that price. So, how can we fairly determine how much a piece of jewelry is worth?
The Standards of Jewelry Value
The standard of value establishes the dollar value of a jewelry item based on a set guideline. The same item of jewelry can have at least four different dollar values. For example, an item of jewelry can be valued at $3,000, $1,300, $800, and $300. All can be true and valid.
How can one item of jewelry be worth both $3,000 and $300? It is the standard of value. There are four main jewelry appraisal standards. Each standard prescribes a set of guidelines for determining jewelry values. The four standards are: replacement price, estate value retail, estate value wholesale, and intrinsic value. Choosing the correct value standard for the inherited jewelry is critical to an equitable resolution for the family and friends.
Replacement Value
The most popular jewelry appraisal is an insurance appraisal for replacement purpose. Many people only know of this one type of appraisal. It produces the highest price for jewelry value. It is a theoretical value based on how much it would cost to replace the jewelry item with a new one. It is not the value of the jewelry itself, but what a new jewelry item like the piece would cost.
As a classic example, under a replacement price standard of value a 2000 model year Toyota Camry car would be valued at the current price of a brand new Toyota Camry. Of course, there is no way that the 2000 Camry is worth that much when trying to resell it, but that is its replacement price, and that is the value that an insurance company expects to see. If you’re interested, you can read more about the different types of appraisals.
The replacement value insurance appraisal has the least correlation to the actual market value of the jewelry item. So, even though insurance appraisals are commonly available, this would be the least accurate standard of value to use when dividing inherited jewelry.
Estate Retail Value
The next standard of value has a direct link to the jewelry item. The estate jewelry at retail value estimates the price an item would sell to a used jewelry customer. The word “estate” in this context simply means used or pre-owned. When someone chooses to buy a piece of used jewelry, excluding cases of rare or highly sought after pieces, one of the main motivations is to save money. A used piece of jewelry will be worth less to the general public than the same piece that is brand new.
People generally shop on eBay, Craigslist, LetGo and other classified ad sites/apps to save money. To accurately arrive at the estate jewelry at retail value you must find one of these end user consumers to buy the used jewelry. If you decide to go with this value, checkout our articles on how to sell jewelry on eBay and Craigslist to get some tips and tricks for staying safe and getting the best value for your jewelry.
Estate Wholesale Value
The estate jewelry at wholesale value is the price a business who sells used jewelry is willing to pay. This price will be lower than the estate retail value because of buyer needs to add all the cost of business to sell an item plus some profit. The jewelry needs to be in resalable condition and style. Compared to the estate value at retail, this value is generally easily converted into cash. Therefore, it may be the best value for a resalable jewelry item to be valued at for the inheritance.
Intrinsic Value
The last standard for value of jewelry is the easiest to understand and yields the lowest price. The intrinsic estate jewelry value is how much the raw materials that make up the jewelry are worth. For almost all fine jewelry, it is a combination of the current metal value and gem value. No value is added for style, condition, brand, market demand, or other factors.
One quick warning, many “cash for gold” businesses do not pay for the gems. So, their offer can be significantly lower than even the intrinsic value of a piece. We have even heard of cases where a ring with a one carat diamond and $50 in scrap gold was valued at $50 by these operations.
The intrinsic values for the gems are based on the cash wholesale price of the gem minus any cost for re-cutting or re-polishing the gem if it is worn or cut in an obsolete style. Intrinsic diamond and gem prices are not readily available like precious metal prices are to the general public. The gold, platinum, and silver prices are well publicized. The diamond and gem wholesale trade keeps their prices confidential, so there can be a large difference in these prices depending on the dealer you talk to.
Using this standard can lead to a value that is significantly lower than what a piece is worth for resale (even quick sale). So, like the replacement value standard, even though it’s easy to understand and somewhat easy to estimate, the intrinsic value standard may not be the best choice for your inherited jewelry items.
Putting it All Together
Clear communication is the final piece of the puzzle. Generally, one or a few people are responsible with the deposition of the estate. Making sure everyone is on the same page as to the value standard that is being used for the jewelry aspect of the estate is important to equity. It may not matter what standard is used as long as everyone understands what it is and it is applied equally to all pieces in the estate.
The two important points there are: the jewelry value standard and everyone understanding.
Integrity and transparency are also crucial to making this process work. For example, if a jewelry item has a replacement value appraisal and that value is used as the estate wholesale value, then there is a clear misuse of the jewelry value which will lead to an inequitable division. How the jewelry value is determined is crucial to the people receiving an inheritance. A full and open disclosure of how the jewelry was valued allows for a fair and smooth disbursement of the estate.
Keep in mind that we have outlined four common standards of jewelry value here, but this is not an exhaustive list. Some issues outside of standard jewelry evaluation center on personal value and experience. An heirloom jewelry item can have great value to some and to others it is just old. Establishing an heirloom value is very personal. Such a piece may be worth 100 times its market value to the right person. Some jewelry is viewed as a birthright having a value that goes beyond price. Also, the fact that a loved one cherished a jewelry item creates an emotional value that has no price. All these and more attach some of the strongest value to jewelry, but a professional jewelry appraiser has no way of establishing or measuring this value. In the end, it is up to the family to work out a just solution.
The desire to have a fair equitable division of a jewelry inheritance is doable. Having everyone understand the standard that the jewelry is valued at is the first step. Open and honest communication is another step along the way. We wish you the best with all of the emotions and issues that surround inheritance, and we are here the help if you need guidance on choosing a value standard, evaluating your jewelry, or selling it for a good price. Just contact us and let us know what we can do.
Hello, such a helpful article! I searched for this topic on Google because I have 2 sisters, and we are all co-representatives for our mother’s estate. There has already been some friction about the jewelry. The gold chains and bracelets we can value by gram weight only. For the 7 rings with stones, however, we would like to have rough estimates of value to allow us to accept a feeling of a fair division between us. Are such ballpark estimates possible? We had enquired at a local jeweler about an evaluation but the cost is more than what we expect the rings to be worth.
Hi Gillian, thanks for reaching out and for the kind words. Yes, appraising jewelry with gemstones does get tricky. I would keep looking around your local area for a jeweler who can do the rough evaluation for a reasonable cost. We do this kind of thing regularly, so I’m sure that others do as well. If you can’t find anyone local who can help, feel free to reach out to us. Depending on the exact situation, it might make sense to mail us the jewelry for evaluation.
Hi, I’m curious what you think… given the choice between a very reputable and fair retail jewelry buyer and selling at auction which is the better way to sell your jewelry? In particular estate jewelry. The auction will take a commission and set the estimate lower then the value. Even with a reserve price it could sell for just that. On the other hand presumably there are retail buyers who will be bidding and not just dealers so one might get the retail price or higher. An experienced honest retail buyer on the other hand has certain advantages perhaps in that they may have clients interested in the particular style of jewelry. your selling and while they take a cut their clients may pay top dollar.
Hi Shane, thanks for reaching out. That is a good question, and I don’t believe there is one, single correct answer. In general, you will be able to get more if you can sell a piece to a retail buyer, but, as you mentioned, auctions can be unpredictable. We generally counsel people looking to get the absolute top dollar for their jewelry to attempt to sell it themselves via an online marketplace like Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist. If that fails, selling to a professional jewelry buyer (like us), is generally the safest and easiest way to get a fair price.
I have many pieces of fine jewelry as well as some that may be fine, I just don’t know. My grandmother left me pieces, as well as my mother. I am interested in having them evaluated. Are you interested in doing that, and how do we proceed?
Thanking you in advance. I am located on the border of Oregon and California.
Hi Gayle, thanks for reaching out. I have sent you an email about your inherited jewelry. In case that doesn’t come through, feel free to email or text us some pictures of the jewelry, and we can get started.
I liked the logic of this article. I came right out and asked what a typical percentage would be offered so I wasn’t about to be surprised- I was told between 18 and 20%- is this accurate?
Hi Kate, thanks for the comment. That’s a tough question as a lot of variables can go into the value. You might want to checkout another one of our articles on how jewelry is valued to get a better idea of what’s involved. Each piece is unique, and so broad percentages like that aren’t normally very accurate.
The article helped me think through the dilemma of dividing our mother’s estate jewelry among seven siblings. Has your 2019 response about having no referrals for estate jewelry experts in Houston, Texas, changed?
Thank you.
Barbara
Hi Barbara, thanks for reaching out, and I’m glad to hear the article was helpful. Unfortunately, we still don’t have a good referral in the Houston area at this time. We do work through the mail though, so that is always an options as well.
Thank you so much for your information!!
Sure thing, happy to help!
do jewelers charge for this service?
Good question, John. That depends on the jeweler. We typically don’t charge for this unless you need written paperwork.
Hello! I am living in Central PA and have inherited jewelry from my Grandma, who was born in 1914 and died in 2009. I’d like to be able to sell some of it. How do I determine its value and where do I sell it? Is there a site on the internet that might help me place a value on it? Thank you for your help! Laura
Hi Laura, thanks for reaching out to us. Accurately determining the value of jewelry generally requires some specialized skills. We evaluate estates like this all the time, and we would be happy to help you. Feel free to send us an email with some pictures of the jewelry and we can get started. If you don’t want to work remotely, we would recommend that you look for a GIA trained gemologist jewelry buyer in your local area. Hopefully that helps, and feel free to let us know if you have any other questions.
Hello, I had a beautiful twisted gold bracelet left to me by my mother in-law. It is simply gorgeous. It has 14ct on the inside clasp. Could you please tell me what 14ct means? And is it the same as 14k? It looks like an older piece of jewelry. Thank you for your kindness.
Sincerely Francesca
Hi Francesca, thanks for commenting. Yes, the 14ct usually means 14k. In the United States, we use karat with a K when talking about gold purity and carat with a C when talking about gemstone weights. In the UK, they spell carat with a C when talking about gold purity which is likely the reason that the stamp is written that way.
How and where can I valuate a jewelry in Houston Tx?
Hi Bety, thanks for commenting. Unfortunately, I don’t have any good referrals for you in the Houston area at this time. That said, we do buy jewelry through the mail. If you are interested in going that route, feel free to shoot us a quick email with some photos of the jewelry along with any details you have, and we can give you a ballpark value.
My necklace has Kt 1772 and Italy 926 what does that mean?
Hi Lana, thanks for commenting. That is not a stamp that we see very often, but from a little online research it seems to indicate sterling silver in Italian jewelry. I can’t say for sure of course, but that would be my guess without seeing the piece in person.
Hi, I am about to inherit quite a lot of jewelry from my mom. She has traveled to many places in the world and has stones and gem stones that she has said are worth quite a bit. I know that can be a broad number, and as much as I want to keep, I can’t keep it all. My main concern is that I have to sell the house, I live in a different state, I have to clean out and keep up the house until it sells, and my husband and I are not rich. Sorry for the babble. Any suggestions you could give me would be appreciated. Basically, there could be rare stones worth real money.
Hi Andrea, thanks for reaching out to us. With an estate like that it can be difficult to separate the more valuable gems from the less valuable ones. You need the services of a skilled gemologist who is able to quickly and accurately identify gemstones.
If you are in the Sacramento, CA area, we would be happy to help you evaluate the estate and find the most valuable gems. If not, we also buy and evaluate jewelry remotely (please email us for details). Otherwise, I would search for a local jewelry buyer with a GIA trained Graduate Gemologist on staff and a full gem lab.
A friend passed away and left her jewelry to me. I will have to pay taxes on the appraised value before I can take possession (I live in one of THOSE states). Which appraisal value should I be taxed on? Will the appraiser tell me which one s/he has applied? What is reasonable to expect from her family member who has expressed interest in buying some pieces that have sentimental value?
Hi Estelle, I’m sorry for your loss, and thank you for reaching out to us. Of course, we can’t give you legal advice, but in this situation, I would suggest asking the appraiser to be as conservative as possible on the evaluation. The appraiser may default to using the insurance replacement value which does not sound appropriate in this case. Ask them for the estate wholesale value or they may call it a cash value appraisal. I would also sell to the family member at these conservative values.
Hi. I just recently had a ring from my mom that was left when my dad passed. It was not in the will but I loved it for sentimental reasons. The appraisal was about 12,000 and the inheritance value was 5,000 it’s just so hard to understand and explain to family members. Because they think your hiding money from them
Hi Susan, thanks for commenting. Explaining the difference between insurance value and market value is something that we do on a daily basis, and you are absolutely correct. It is very difficult and often leads to confusion and hurt feelings. If you haven’t already, you might want to read our blog on how jewelry is valued. There is a section in there that specially addresses this issue and includes some analogies that you may find helpful.
Hi. Great article. I’m in a similar situation to another poster, Gary. I have inherited quite a bit of jewelry, most of it will be costume jewelry, although there are a couple of diamond rings. First, another poster mentioned that costume jewelry may still have some value, sometimes more than one might suspect. Do you find that to be the case? Also, how does one go about bringing in a large amount of jewelry (the diamonds and the costume jewelry) to a jeweler? How would you, for example, handle someone who had several jewelry boxes? I doubt a jeweler has the time to drop everything they are doing to go through all that material. I would be interested in the estate wholesale value, as I don’t like the idea of dealing with eBay and Craigslist, plus I’m not knowledgeable about jewelry at all. Unfortunately, I’m in Michigan, so I can’t just stop by to see you!
Hi Brant, thank you. I’m glad you liked the article. Let me see if I can answer some of your questions.
Unfortunately, most of the costume jewelry we come across isn’t worth a whole lot. However, if the costume jewelry is complete, undamaged, and from a recognizable name brand, it might have some good value. You can check and see what the market is by looking on eBay or Craigslist and trying to find similar pieces to what you have.
I wish you were closer, as we have people bring in several boxes of estate jewelry quite often. We have gotten pretty fast at sorting through and separating the costume from the fine jewelry. I would say call ahead and carve out some time in your schedule. You will probably need to be flexible so that if the jeweler has another customer show up they can help them and then come back to helping you.
We have also had people mail in large estates to us. But, before you do that please send us some good pictures of what you have, and use a strong magnet (i.e. rare earth magnet) to see if anything is magnetic. If a piece sticks to the magnet, its almost certainly costume jewelry and not something that we would buy. Feel free to contact us if you have any other questions.
Very helpful article. Exactly what I was looking for to understand how jewelry can be valued for estate purposes. Thanks!
Hi Lori, we’re happy to be of help. 🙂
Wow, I’ve learned a ton from your articles and from your prompt responses to many of the questions. I tried to maintain a website Q&A before and it’s very daunting, so GREAT JOB staying the course and giving back to the community in this way. 🙂
Hi Iris, we’re so glad the website has been helpful to you. It can be a daunting task for sure, but we’re happy to help the community as much as we can. 🙂
I think I’d like to say thank you very much.
My Mother passed away and I have a ton of jewelry which some I think is costume jewelry which I have been told by a friend can actually be worth more than I’d have ever thought, and then there are rings like the one that brought me here trying to understand what 10KP GTR means, well I’m not sure I found that answer but your article on Estate Jewelry is really great because I have a sister who cares about nothing except getting paid so this estate jewelry covered in your article gave me a good lead on how to do further research in order to deal with my sister and just pay her off, so thank you very much for writing this article..
Most Sincerely
Gary
Hi Gary, thanks for commenting, and I’m so glad to hear the article was helpful to you. To answer your question about the stamp, 10KP indicates that the piece is 10 karat plum gold (meaning it contains exactly 41.7% pure gold). You can read more about gold purity on our article here.
The GTR portion of the stamp is a manufacturer’s mark indicating who made the ring. From a little research it looks like the stamp has been used by J.M. Fox, Inc. of Long Island City, NY and so they are the likely manufacturer of the piece. Hopefully that helps, and let us know if there’s anything else we can do for you.