Jewellery has always been seen as a luxury, it has been around for thousands of years and some pieces have the most amazing history. People get into jewellery investing for many reasons including wanting to buy someone a gift, wanting to buy an antique engagement ring or simply wanting something to hold that will increase in value later on in life. In some countries, jewellery is also seen as a dowry. When one does decide to make an investment in jewellery, it is always best to have a professional with you to work on your behalf, but it is also essential that you know what you are looking for. In this article, we will go through some top tips on things to look out for before investing in jewellery. This could save you money and time when you are looking.
Ensure that you are buying at market value
Jewellery prices can vary from vendor to vendor, so it is essential to know the market value of the product you are looking for. It is important when comparing pieces and values, that you are comparing the same piece. This is because if there are slight changes to the piece compared to the other, it can significantly increase or decrease the value of the piece. Diamonds are not all the same, hence why you could find two diamonds that look the same cost very different figures. Diamonds are not only valued for their size, they are also valued by their clarity, cut and colour.
Buying a piece of jewellery at real has already been marked up 2-3 times already, so you will not be getting the best value due to the number of overheads. If you go to auction, you will be getting a much better-valued piece as there are fewer overheads.
Cheap Doesn’t Mean Profit
Buying cheap does not mean you are going to make a profit on a piece. It certainly doesn’t mean that you are getting a bargain or that you are getting value from your money. In fact, it is extremely rare that you find pieces in thrift shops for £15 and sell them on for thousands. So it is not worth traipsing around all the thrift shops to find your next vintage emerald ring.
Value is when you buy a high-end product for less. Many people are after selling their pieces for a range of reasons. Some may be wanting a quick sale, others may be selling overstock and others may be wanting to be rid of their legacy heirlooms. Going to an auction will get you the best value pieces.
Ensure Authenticity
Unfortunately, in the jewellery industry, there are some cowboy vendors meaning it is essential that you take a professional with you to ensure that the piece is authentic. The last thing you want to be doing is buying a fake and when you go to sell it, you then find out that it is a fake. Luckily, there is a large amount of reputable jewellery such as in Hatton Gardens where you can find amazing pieces of vintage jewellery. These are mostly run by gemologists so they have the expertise to deal with you authentically.