What’s my jewelry really worth?
(Should I sell it?)
(Where would I start?)
Want an expert on your side?
Let’s talk about how to sell your jewelry. I know what’s likely to sell fastest, and for how much. With my Broker’s Price Opinion, I tell you how much money I expect to sell your jewelry for, what my commission will be, and how long it will take.
How do I know about estate jewelry? (That’s any jewelry owned by an ultimate consumer.) I’ve spent my life in the jewelry business. I was born into a family-owned store and joined it as an adult in 1977. When I opened my own business in 1991, I made estate jewelry my specialty.
I have sold millions of dollars’ worth of jewelry for more than one thousand clients, including trusts and estates, heirs, lawyers, banks, charitable foundations, and, most of all, private owners. After thirty-three years of experience with estate jewelry buyers and sellers, I know what you can expect from the sale of your jewelry in terms of time and money.
My Broker’s Price Opinion is not necessarily limited to forecasting results if I sell your jewelry. If you wish, we will discuss other ways you might sell your jewelry. I am glad to do this because, whether I’m involved or not, you should consider all your options. No one always offers everyone the best solution for selling every kind of jewelry.
So, in one way or another, I help everyone who has jewelry to sell. Either I sell it for them, or some people find private buyers on their own, or I’ve referred others to local trade buyers, and yet others decide to keep their items. All these outcomes constitute success. My goal is to enable you to take the next step that’s right for you.
The Broker’s Price Opinion is not an appraisal. It does not conclude your jewelry’s “value.” However, it is recognized in my profession as a legitimate valuation service. As a prospective broker (rather than an appraiser), I am allowed to work as your advocate. Together, we strategize to achieve the highest price for your jewelry.
The fee for the Broker’s Price Opinion is $75 per half-hour. If we agree that my brokerage service is the best way for you to sell your jewelry, I waive some or all of this fee. (See below for more information.)
My broker’s price opinion includes:
- Your item’s likely selling price if I sell it within one week (liquidation in the jewelry trade) and my commission percentage.
- Your item’s likely selling price if I sell it to an ultimate consumer (long-term consignment, usually 6-12 months) and my commission percentage.
- Your item’s quality, style, and condition.
- How to present your item to its best advantage and how to price it if you sell it on your own, and possible ways to find local buyers.
- Cleaning your item as time permits.
- Professionally photographing your item if requested.
The next step: the consignment process
If we agree on your item’s price, my commission percentage, and how long I have to sell it, we complete my written consignment agreement, including these terms and your item’s description.
Your item is fully insured while I have custody of it and in transit if shipped elsewhere. I pay you as soon as it is sold to a trade buyer (usually within seven days) or right after the expiration of any short-term return privilege extended to a private buyer (but no longer than 30 days).
Depending on how many items we've reviewed and which I'm selling for you, I will waive some or all of my $75-per-half-hour fee for the Broker’s Price Opinion.
How my jewelry consignments work
Immediate sales through trade liquidation
The “fast nickel” approach (faster results but almost always less money than from ultimate consumers).
For most items, you are paid in one week or less after we meet.
Your items are shipped via insured overnight mail to the best out-of-town buyer for the particular piece. These are mostly wholesale dealers and refiners of precious metals, and occasionally retail jewelers.
Commission schedule for trade sales
Under $1,000 = 40%
$1,001 to $5,000 = 30%
$5,001 to $10,000 = 25%
$10,001 to $50,000 = 20%
Over $50,000 = 15% or by agreement
These schedules are guidelines. I set my commissions on a case-by-case basis.
Second-hand retail sales through long-term consignment
The “slow dime” approach (more money but almost always slower results than from buyers in the jewelry business).
Commission schedule for retail sales
Under $1,000 = 50%
$1,001 to $2,500 = 40%
$2,501 to $5,000 = 35%
$5,001 to $10,000 = 30%
$10,001 to $50,000 = 25%
Over $50,000 = 20%
Questions I’m often asked
Why do you charge to look at my jewelry?
I put you in a better position to sell your jewelry even if I don’t become your broker. Then my fee covers the time it takes to analyze, price, and discuss your jewelry.
How long does your consultation take?
We can usually cover several items in thirty minutes. Simple, small items go quickly. Larger, more complex pieces take longer. Occasionally, some items require additional study.
What if we spend more than 30 minutes?
I pro-rate my fee for additional time in 10-minute increments. You are welcome to set a time limit. If you have more than one item, it’s a good idea to prioritize them before you come.
How do you price my jewelry?
There are two ways this is done. The first is to estimate the wholesale cost to a jeweler to reconstruct your item, based on gemstones, precious metal content, and labor. The other is to find items similar to yours and see how much they’re selling for.
Will you make an offer to buy my jewelry?
No, I do not buy outright. I only broker. You can search online for businesses that buy jewelry. I offer years of experience that may result in more money, but I always encourage owners to explore all their options.
Is the Broker’s Price Opinion an appraisal?
No, it’s my immediate impression of how much money I can sell your jewelry for. An appraisal is an opinion of “value,” considering as many prices as possible. An appraiser is objective and is not allowed to act as your advocate, but a broker can and should help you achieve the highest price for your item.
“Dealing with Scott could not have been a more satisfying experience. Not only am I confident that I obtained the best possible price for my diamond, I am completely assured of his honesty, integrity and exemplary professionalism...Scott has earned my trust and I recommend his services to anyone who has a diamond they are interested in selling.”
— paul paladino
