How to Value Your Jewelry at Home or Work

Many thanks for taking the time to read thisassessment. ALL other valuations flow from this
compact jewelry article entitled 'How to Valueone rate.So the answer lies in some form of
your Jewelry at Home or Work'. You are aboutaccepted standard which must be based on sound
to discover the intricacies and formulas that highlyprinciples, backed by REPEATABLE formulas which
qualified Gemologists and Valuers are using, rightcan be expected to be 'around the same figure'
now, to evaluate and appraise gold, silver andno matter where you go in the world.And
platinum jewelry.But before we begin, I wouldthankfully, it is. Gold is Gold is gold... right?The
simply like to bring you 'up to speed' on what willcalculations used (behind the scene so you never
be required. As you know, the art of valuingneed to see them) in our 'Online Jewelry Valuation
jewelry takes many years to learn (over fiveSelf Appraisal Kit' knows from your answers to
years before you can graduate) and then it takesmultiple choice questions, exactly 'What's it worth'.
several more years to gain the necessaryEasy eh?Go to the Valuation Appraisal Centre to
experience to 'get it right'.Gemologists don't alluncover the secrets of just how stress-free it is
become Valuers because of this high level ofto value your own jewelry at home or work (The
study, which doesn't include the expense ofaddress is listed at the bottom of this article) and
Microscopes and Refractometers andlet the 'Kit' do it for you.Like humans, not all gold
Dichroscopes and and and....In this program weis created equally.Thankfully. A lot will depend on
don't even want to explain what these pieces ofwhat part of the world you come from and
equipment are because firstly; they are toocertainly can dramatically change the value of any
expensive (you can pay thousands of dollars justjewelry item.You may have wondered about that
for a binocular microscope) and secondly becauseVERY yellow gold which comes from the Middle
you are not a trained jeweler, and probably don'tEast or Asia. Is it the same as the gold on Sixth
want to be.So don't let that put you off becauseAvenue or Hatton Garden in old London
we are NOT trying to turn you into professionalsTown?Why is it that jewelers talk about CARAT
overnight. That would be wrong of us to evenweight in diamonds and gemstones, but also use
try.We don't want the Jargon either. Just somethe term CARAT when it comes to the quality of
simple facts. What we are going to achieve isgold. Are they the same thing?We will certainly be
nothing more than a simple understanding of whatlooking into that term in an upcoming issue.You
you need to know, to at least get a 'Slippery Grip'see, when it comes to Gold (this does not apply
of basic terms. The hardest part is NOT thein quite the same magnitude for Silver or Platinum
testing or algorithms involved but mainly theitems) because it comes in more than one color
correct and systematic identification of what yourand more than one quality.You have the typical
are trying to value. The calculations are nothingyellow gold, a green gold, the ever popular white
more than a natural outcome, which just provesgold which is currently making a bit of a
what can be accomplished using the most simplecomeback, and the sought after 'Rose gold,'
school mathematics. If you can multiply and divide,fashionable in Victorian and Vintage Jewelry.Each
and add money, you can do this course.Weof these will have a different price structure when
assume you are trying to get a 'Ball Park' figureit comes to appraising your jewelry. Nothing
on something you own, or want to own, or sell,dramatic, but a difference anyway.Yet the
or insure. Which brings us to the firstbottom line could add several hundreds of dollars
question.What exactly is a Valuation orto a Bracelet or ring, so you will need to know
Appraisal?All of the calculations and procedures'How to' spot these distinctions in metal.So how
done throughout this series of articles are builtdo you do it? By using the best tools a Valuer
into our 'Online Jewelry Valuation Self Appraisal Kit'can possess (your eyes) while employing the
which does all the work for you. Why? So yougreatest skills you can learn (how to measure
don't have to. Simple...You can go to the Valuationthings). Once you have these handy little methods
Appraisal Centre, to discover how easy it is toin your arsenal, the rest is just a matter of
value your own jewelry at home or work (Thearithmetic.So watch out for your next issue of
address is listed at the bottom of this article) andthis mini-course, where we'll reveal the single most
discover why we use it ourselves.This is animportant consideration when it comes to valuing
important yet sadly overlooked concept.People,ANY jewelry.regards and please watch the road.
just like you, simply want to 'Know what it'sDavid Foard F.G.A.A. Fellow of the Gemological
Worth' but that's a very subjective statement.Association of Australia and former member of
For example:What's it worth to you?Does it haveJATVC - The Valuers Council (retired).P.S. If you
sentimental value?If it does, there is no way weare really serious about getting a Valuation
can measure or calculate for that. It's a personalAppraisal done quickly and easily with minimum
thing.What's it worth on EBay?That depends ifeffort.... then go to the Valuation Appraisal Centre
you are a Buyer or a Seller. At the end of theto discover just how easy it is to value your own
day the value lies in what two people agreejewelry and reproduce a Certificate on your own
upon.What's it worth if you bought it from yourPrinter at home or work (The address is listed
neighbor?What's it worth to them or what's itbelow) and follow the advice given there. Couldn't
worth to you?These are two differentbe any easier.P.P.S.
things.What's it worth when your local JewelryIf you administer a website or publish an ezine,
Store has a 50% Off Sale?please feel free to use this article as long as you
Are you really buying a bargain or is it justleave all links in place, do not modify the content
another ploy to get your money.What's it worth ifand include our resource box as listed below.
it's stolen?Does this value represent the trueAlthough it's not compulsory just send me an
figure?If you were 'Fagin' in Oliver Twist, whatemail at and let me know if and where you used
was it worth to him?Bet Fagin had a differentit. If you need other great content -
price in mind when he traded with the Artfulcomplimentary of course - then drop me a line at
Dodger.But what if you were the jewelry owner.the email address given - 'cause I've got Gallons
What's it worth then?of the stuff....David Foard has spent over 30
The Insurance company might have a differentyears in the Antique Jewelry Trade as a qualified
view to you. After all, they want to replace it asgemologist and member of the Valuers Council.
cheaply as possible, while you want it valued asGet a FREE 10 part 'Appraisal Course' on How to
high as you can. You pay the premium for theValue your Jewelry at Home or Work by going to
privilege, of course, but it still remains very==> and grabbing yourself a
loose.Tip: A 'Valuation or Appraisal' is generallyfistfull of Hints - Tips and Secrets.
accepted as a price based on Insurance