Jewelry Rip-Off. Got any advice?

[haele]

33. If the jewelry or jeweler is unique or has a collectable value -

Look at similar prices in eBay and price accordingly.
If it's just somewhat common mall store fine jewelry, price at insurance value (about 60% of what you paid), and price accordingly.

In 1989, I had to sell my Great-grandmother's six fine jewelry cocktail rings and a parure sets (necklace, earrings, and bracelet) at a consignment auction to help clear her estate: one smaller sapphires and diamonds ring was from a 1940's Hollywood designer and fetched more than the aquamarine and diamond parure set that looked as if it would be worth ten times the ring.

When I was long term between jobs, I also went through my childhood jewelry box of JC Penneys costume jewelry from grandparents and sold choice crystal, mabe pearl, and plated sterling pieces in almost pristine condition to collectors for a couple hundred dollars. Apparently some of those peices were from Grandma from her no-good cheating husband, so she gave them to me thinking I'd like a "princess" gift that she would never wear.

Jewelry has always been an odd business; if you want to get near your money back, you have to sell it yourself.

Haele