Estates & heirlooms
Selling inherited jewelry.
Inheriting jewelry is rarely simple. There's often more of it than expected, no record of what any of it is, and a lot of feeling attached to every box. This guide is a calm walk through what to do next.
Where to start
Step 1
Sort before you decide
Lay everything out and group it: pieces someone in the family wants, pieces nobody will wear, and anything you're unsure about. Nothing needs cleaning or repair first — an experienced buyer evaluates jewelry exactly as it is.
Step 2
Talk with the family first
Sentiment outlasts money. Agree on which pieces stay in the family before any of it is valued, so the decision to sell is a shared one rather than a surprise.
Step 3
Know what you actually have
Estate collections are usually a mix: solid gold and silver, plated costume, signed designer pieces, and stones of wildly different quality. A single-line appraisal rarely reflects that range — each category is priced differently.
Step 4
Choose a buyer who keeps pieces whole
We are not a refinery. We don't melt jewelry. Inherited pieces are found new homes, and broken ones are used to create new jewelry rather than being destroyed for metal weight.
Common questions from heirs
Is old jewelry worth anything if it's broken?
Often, yes. Broken chains, single earrings, and damaged settings still carry gold and silver value, and the stones and designer components can be worth more than the metal. Bring it all — don't throw anything out.
Should I have it appraised first?
An insurance appraisal states replacement cost, which is not what any buyer pays. Our evaluation is free and carries no obligation, so it costs nothing to find out what the pieces would actually sell for.
What about costume jewelry from the collection?
Send it. Vintage costume jewelry from makers like Trifari, Weiss, and Miriam Haskell can be genuinely collectible, and it's the category most families throw away by mistake.
Will the pieces be melted down?
Not by us. We are not a refinery. Pieces are found new homes, and broken ones are used to create new jewelry.
If you'd like a second opinion on a collection, our guide to selling jewelry online explains how each category is priced.
Let's look at the collection together.
Free shipping and evaluation — no obligation.