In the process of being an administrator to my Mother's Estate, l am daunted by the task of dealing with her collection of jewelry. Much of it is not of very high value, but she does have quite a bit that is. She had the good sense to keep receipts, and some pieces (several by Fabrege) that retailed for well over 10k. We are going to have an estate sale, but do not think l want these high dollar pieces listed in it for fear of not getting a fair price for them. l know l am not going to get anything close to retail, but l also know the price of gold has gone up considerably sense they were purchased. We are going to get everything appraised, but not sure how to sell the more expensive pieces... by private sale, ebay, etc..
lf anyone here has been through this, please let me know what you learned from the experience, and give any advice you may have.
Thanks in advance.
2
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Feel free to reply to any comment by clicking the "Reply" button.For the best prices, far more than you will vet at an estate sale:
Go to a good, established jewelry store, they will sell the best pieces on consignment...it may take awhile but the pieces will end up in good homes.
Or, go to an established auction house, one with a website & mailing list of bidders with specific interests. Since they work on commission, like the jeweler, they will work hard to get you top dollar...expect several weeks go pass before they put the pieces up so they can build interest, then expect a check no later than 10 days after the auction.
Both places should offer you written inventories with good descriptions, and a detailed contract. You take pix!
AnneWimsey
Level 9
Jan 15, 2019
3
Good advice for high valued pieces...the stores I took my mom's jewelry to would only pay for the price of gold for most of the items, even those with diamonds in them...I guess it is because jewelry styles change. I just couldn't bear the thought of her jewelry being melted down, but I think I am going to do that for a lot of the pieces that I just can't get rid of after 5 years. I also think I am going to start getting rid of a lot of my own stuff so that the relatives won't have to go through this down the road.
MY MIL and my mother both loved jewelry...after years of trying to pass them on to relatives and selling them privately on-line and at a high end consignment shops, I am going to let an auctioneer take them and see what he can get. Some of the jewelry is vintage...I suggest finding an auctioneer who specializes in jewelry as they have the sources and contacts and might know of collectors.
I know I will never get full value, but I also know it is a sunk cost...I didn't pay anything for them so whatever I get is "extra" and will be divided among my siblings...we all decided we certainly won't get anything by leaving it in a box or safe.
Good luck...I will be following this to see what you decide...in the meantime...I have about 25 watches for sale...lol...my mother loved watches...
thinktwice
Level 8
Jan 15, 2019
1
I doubt any of them would fit my wrist but thanks for the offer ?? and for the advice ?
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