Jewelry Appraisal Center

Question: I recently bought my fiancee as a Christmas present, an “antique” filigree pearl ring, it is supposed to also be set in white gold…

Pearls: A Natural History

Price: $39.95

I paid $150.00 for the ring and it is pretty, I’m just not sure if it was worth it or if I am getting the shaft.

The ring has a square setting that is surrounded in VERY fine and ornate filigree and has a marking “LAIS” on the inside of the band, there are no other stones other than the white pearl, also there seems to be someones personal engraving on the band that I cannot make out (very worn, some of the filigree is also very worn down).

The filigree also makes some heart shapes in the weaving of the tendrils.

It is not marked with anything else on the inside, but her engagement ring is also an antique and does not have any markings on the inside of this (is this representative of the period), so did I make out alright or am I a fool?

Thanks,… Continue reading Pearl Ring With Antique Filigree Setting...

How to Identify Sapphires…

If you think all Sapphires are Blue, you had better think again.

Rubies & Sapphires, Fourth Edition

Price: $14.50

They are seen in ALL colors including parti-colours and Synthetics.

Better known within the gemstone industry as ‘Corundum‘ they form an impressive array of gemstones, second only to Diamond. So How do we Identify Sapphires – especially when it comes to doing a Valuation Appraisal…… Continue reading How To Identify Sapphires...

How to Clean Your Jewelry At Home…

It looks like a million dollars but after a couple of months it doesn’t have the same ‘Sparkle’ or look it once had (a bit like me really).

So what are we to do?

The first thing is to make sure it is SAFE to be cleaned., and this is how we do it…

Naturally, delicate items should be best left to a professional Jeweler to clean.

BUT Opals, Pearls and Emeralds are very susceptible to damage in a Jewelers Ultrasonic cleaning tank, as it can loosen pearls… Continue reading Cleaning Your Jewelry At Home...

British Hallmarks are the best in the world.

Who says so – the rest of the World – although to be fair, other countries have great hallmarks too, it is just that they are NOT so often seen…

So what do we really need to know…?

A book on World Hallmarks for Gold or Silver items is a must for any serious collector or dealer, but they can be a little intimidating and time consuming.

• Is that mark a Cockerel or a Tree?
• Could it be made in Switzerland or Germany?
• Is that

Main Jewelry Appraisal Center Resources…

Our Other Resource Directory Listings are shown here

JEWELRY DIRECTORIES

• Antique Jewelry
• Antique Reproduction Jewelry
• Fashion and Costume Jewelry
• Fine Jewelry
• Gemstones – Opals – Diamonds
• Jewelry Information websites
• Jewelry Supplies
• Vintage and Collectable Jewelry
• Watches
• Wedding Jewelry

ANTIQUES DIRECTORIES

• Antique Replica

GENERAL DIRECTORIES

• Fashion
• Gifts
• Lifestyle
• Shopping
• Weddings

Shown below are the excellent Resources we have selected from around the web. We have… Continue reading Fashion Jewelry Resource Directory...

So what are the alternatives when we try to identify diamonds?

Properties of Natural and Synthetic Diamond

Price: $356.13

Let’s forget all the possible choices we have in white clear gemstones for a moment, and simply bring it to the most probable.

These are:

• PASTE: (a fancy name for glass and very common in old Jewelry, especially brooches).
• WHITE SPINEL: A natural gemstone found in Jewelry made between the 1900′s and up to the 1970′s (roughly) but lacking the sparkle of diamond.
• ZIRCON: Again natural but with great sparkle and flashes of color. Do not confuse with Cubic Zirconia.

And the most common of them all:

• WHITE CORUNDUM: These are White Sapphires….

Yes Sapphires, but they can be man made and most importantly, they are HARD! This is a great secret….… Continue reading Diamond Alternatives...

Introduction to Valuations

For most, the thought of getting a Jewelry Appraisals Online Valuation or Appraisal on your Jewelry is NOT at the top of your list. But it should be, and this is why…

Jewelry Valuations for the rest of us

While our advice is, and has always been, to get your Jewelry valued or appraised by your local, professional gemologist Valuer, it remains our belief that in the ‘majority of cases’ and taking into account the costs involved (your professional Valuer charges a reasonable fee for their skill and the work carried out), our Self… Continue reading Jewelry Appraisals And What They Mean To You...

How to Identify Diamonds…

So a red gemstone is a Ruby, a blue one is a Sapphire and a white clear gemstone is a Diamond right!

• Errrrrr! Sorry wrong answer.

Diamonds and Gemstones (Rocks, Minerals, and Resources)

Price: $7.15

Yet how many of us think that way, especially when we are looking at Estate Jewelry. And just because it’s an Antique makes it no easier when we try to Identify Diamonds.

They were pretty smart and very cunning those Victorian and Edwardian dealers (Remember Fagin and Ikey Solomon the ‘Prince of Fences’)? If not – read on…… Continue reading How To Identify Diamonds...

Universal Ring Finger Sizes…

When you purchase any ring over the Internet, one of the most concerning problems is when it comes to Ring Finger Sizes. This should NOT BE SO….

Ring Sizing Stick 1-15 Sizes Jewelers Mandrel Tool – Professional JEWELERS QUALITY

Price: $19.99

Our first piece of advice is to consult your local ‘Friendly’ Jeweler.

He or She (don’t tell them you are buying elsewhere, or they won’t be so ‘friendly), should be able to measure your finger and tell you what size you are. It’s then a simple matter of using the table listed here: Ring Finger Size Chart to get your size in any of the other International or Universal Ring Finger sizes mentioned…

Another easy method is to take a length of string or strip of ribbon (a small slip of paper will do) and wrap it around the finger, marking it with a pen where the ribbon overlaps. You will find more details below…… Continue reading How To Find Your Finger Size...

We developed the Jewelry Appraisals Online Kit – and use it constantly.

You should take the time to find out how to Make Your Life Easier by using the Online Jewelry Appraisal Kit, because it is the ONLY Online Jewelry Appraisal System in the World where ANYONE (and I do mean ANYONE) can create their own appraisal and have the results printed right there, on your personalized Jewelry Appraisals Certificate – On your Desktop Today!

• There are several MAJOR advantages to this

No waiting – Safe and secure – Protected in our database for up… Continue reading Professional Jewelry Appraisal Valuations…...