How to Sell Antique Jewellery

If you are wanting to clear out some drawers and make space, or have simply fallen out of love with some old antique jewellery and like the idea of replacing it, where do you start?  A ‘quick and dirty’ search on the internet reveals a bewildering array of options – pawnshops, online buyers, cash-for-gold stores or online platforms such as eBay.  Many offer the temptation of a fast sale and cash in your pocket while online platforms provide a forum for you to set up your own store and sell to the highest bidder.

^{A Cartier Kashmir Sapphire & Diamond Flower Brooch}

^{Sold for £340,000}

You could take your antique jewellery to somewhere like Hatton Garden in London. London’s ‘jewellery quarter’ is the ultimate destination to find dealers specialising in gemstones, watches and, of course, diamonds. Associated with the jewellery trade since medieval times, the area became known as Hatton Garden in the 16^th century after Sir Christopher Hatton and has also evolved a global centre for the bullion trade, largely due to its proximity to London’s financial institutions. It is a busy hub of activity with nearly 300 jewellery-related businesses vying for your trade.

^{An Early 20th-century pearl and diamond pendant necklace}

^{Sold for £35,000}

It can feel rather overwhelming. How do you know what you are selling?  Have you factored in the profit that the dealer needs to make to make a transaction worthwhile? If you decide to sell your piece on an online platform, how can one be sure that enough people have seen it to make bidding competitive? Also worth considering, unless a piece is exceptional, most jewellery is bought by dealers solely on the weight of the gold or silver and the value of the stones, not the actual piece itself, so there is always a risk that you may sell your jewellery short

We would recommend taking your jewellery to a reputable auction house like Dawsons, with an international reach. Whilst this means you will not get an instant cash return for your jewellery, it will result in you receiving substantially more money for any items you sell. At Dawsons our sole aim is to work closely with our clients to secure the highest possible prices for you.

^{A Victorian yellow gold, diamond, and emerald bangle}

^{Sold for £19,000}

Dawsons’ friendly team of qualified jewellery Valuers can furnish you with confidential sales advice based on current market valuations and guarantee the highest standards of consistency in assessment and authenticity.

Utilising in-house testing equipment for gemstones, every piece undergoes rigorous scrutiny.  Some gemstones are also sent to specialist laboratories for additional, independent assessment, to ensure that their assessment is certifiably accurate. This testing and certification ensures buyer confidence, and means that Dawsons can achieve the best possible sale result for our clients.

The team at Dawsons will assist you at every stage in the selling process, from collection and logistics to the marketing and sale of your jewellery. Indeed, our bespoke marketing direct to known buyers, creates a competitive global bidding environment during our monthly auctions, ensuring we secure the maximum return on your family heirloom or contemporary piece of branded jewellery.

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Is Antique Jewellery Worth Anything?

How Can You Tell if Jewellery is Victorian?

How Can You Tell if a Neckalce is Antique?

Are you looking to sell any antique jewellery?

With access to a global audience of over 10 million known bidders, Dawsons can secure the best prices.

Get in touch with an expert Valuer for confidential sales advice, we would be delighted to help:

0207 431 9445 / info@dawsonsauctions.co.uk