Factors that influence the value of jewellery

Brand name products (for example, televisions, appliances and computers) are all priced the same by the manufacturer with a suggested retail price for each particular model. In addition, each product model produced by a manufacturer should be identical. So, when you comparison-shop the price of an IBM laptop model XYZ from shop to shop, you know the features and quality of that laptop are the same, regardless of the final price.

In contrast, most jewellery is unique. There are many factors that affect the price of gemstones and jewellery. No two gemstones are exactly alike, nor are any two antique diamond rings alike. For example, the quality of each stone in an antique ring is a factor in determining its value. The quality of workmanship and the company who produced the ring affects value as well. For example, a Tiffany & Co. antique ring will demand a much higher price than a similar ring made by an unknown company.

Below are some factors that affect the value of jewellery.

Certification:
Gemstones can be certified through independent grading laboratories.

Craftsmanship:
How well a piece of jewellery is made can greatly affect the value. Differences in the maker's attention to fine details and the finish can cause two similar pieces of jewellery to be valued quite differently.

Condition:
Jewellery that has all its original parts and has no damage is obviously more valuable than jewellery that has been repaired or had parts replaced. Check to see if jewellery has chips, dents, cracks, metal corrosion, or any other type of damage. Look for evidence of repair, like lead solder on precious metals.

Colour:
Especially for costume jewellery, you may want to consider whether the colour is fashionable. Some colours are considered more valuable than others. In gemstones, some colours are more desirable than others. For example, with all other factors being the same, "colorless" diamonds are more valuable than yellow diamonds.

Design:
The aesthetic appeal of jewellery is highly subjective, but it can easily influence the value. If the jewellery can be attributed to a style from a particular period or to a particular maker, that can also greatly affect the value.

Demand:
Similar to many collectibles, jewellery also has its collecting fads and fashions. For example, when the butterfly motif was quite trendy in the fashion world, there was an increase in visibility of butterfly-inspired jewellery.

Naturalness:
Some gemstones can be altered to seem like more high-quality gemstones. These altered gemstones are generally considered less valuable than naturally occurring, high-quality gemstones. For example, do you know the difference in terminology between a "real" sapphire or ruby versus a "natural" sapphire or ruby?

A diamond can be drilled with a laser, sometimes 5 to 10 times, and then dipped in acid to remove eye-visible black inclusions. It is the buyer's responsibility to detect this kind of treatment and not the responsibility of the professional jeweler to disclose it. Laser-drilled diamonds sell for much less than undrilled diamonds.

Scarcity:
The more scarce a jewellery item is, the more valuable it is. This not only applies to the type of jewellery, but also to the materials that compose the jewellery item.

Size:
Generally, the larger the piece of jewellery, the more valuable it is. However, the size should be appropriate to the style and to the wearer.

The preceding article was written using information from Warman's jewellery by Christie Romero.