Inheriting a box of jewellery is emotional and confusing. Some pieces are worth keeping, some are worth more as gold than as jewellery, and a few may be worth more than either. Here is how to work through it calmly.
Sort before you sell
- Set aside anything with meaning. Decide this first, before anyone puts a price on it. Once you know a ring is worth $400 in gold, it is harder to think clearly about whether you want it.
- Separate gold from everything else. Costume jewellery, plated pieces and watches with base-metal cases go in a different pile. Our home checks guide helps.
- Group by karat. Most estates mix 10K, 14K and 18K North American pieces with 22K pieces bought abroad. Each karat is priced differently, so grouping them tells you roughly where the value is.
Quote or appraisal?
A gold quote (what we give) values the metal content. It is free, takes minutes, and is the right tool for scrap, broken pieces, mismatched earrings, plain chains and most mass-produced jewellery.
An appraisal values a piece as jewellery, for insurance or resale. It costs money and is worth it for signed designer pieces, antique or period jewellery, and anything with large or unusual gemstones. If a piece looks like it might be one of these, ask us; we will tell you honestly whether it is worth an appraisal before you sell it for melt value.
Diamonds and coloured stones
Small stones in everyday jewellery rarely add much to a gold offer; the cost of removing and grading them is higher than their resale value. Larger stones can be worth more than the gold around them. We can weigh the metal only and return the stones to you, or price the piece as gold with stones removed. You decide.
If you are the executor
Selling estate assets is part of an executor's job, but keep clean records: a receipt for each sale showing the items, weights, karats and price paid. We provide one for every purchase. If the will names specific pieces for specific people, distribute those first. When several beneficiaries share the residue, it is often simplest to sell the gold and divide the cash rather than argue over who gets which bangle. Where the estate is large or contested, speak with the estate's lawyer before selling anything.
What to bring
- The jewellery, sorted if you can (we will sort it with you if not).
- Your own government photo ID. We record ID for every purchase.
- Any paperwork you have: old receipts, appraisals or certificates. They are not required, but they help.
There is no obligation at any point. Many people bring the whole box in, learn what is what, take the sentimental pieces home and sell the rest. Visit us in Cooksville, or call (905) 514-5141 first if you have questions.