Antique and Modern Jewelry Expertise and AppraisalExamining an antique piece of jewelry begins with identifying and understanding the piece itself: its probable period, materials, gemstones, manufacturing techniques and any alterations it may have undergone over time.
At Héritage de France®, we examine antique, vintage and modern jewelry at our jewelry store in Paris. The design and construction of each piece are considered together with its hallmarks, signatures, settings, soldering, clasps and articulated elements, when present.
These characteristics can help place a piece within its historical context. They must, however, be considered together: a hallmark, an antique gemstone or a particular style is not sufficien on its own to date a piece precisely.
Condition is also important. Resizing, earlier repairs, replacement gemstones or alterations to the setting may form part of a jewel’s history and should be taken into account during its examination.
Gemstones often represent an important part of a jewelry appraisal.
For diamonds, we examine characteristics including cut, dimensions, color, clarity and features visible under magnification. Old-cut diamonds should be assessed according to their own proportions and faceting, which can differ significantly from those of modern brilliant-cut diamonds.
Sapphires, rubies and emeralds require a different approach. Their color, transparency, inclusions and cut can provide valuable gemological information, but certain characteristics — including the identification of some treatments or a possible geographic origin — may require more advanced laboratory testing.
When the nature or importance of a gemstone warrants it, the examination may be supplemented by a report from an independent gemological laboratory.
Hallmarks can provide valuable information when examining jewelry. Depending on the marks present, they may provide information about the precious metal, assay system or country of manufacture, while certain maker’s marks can help identify a workshop or manufacturer.
A signature may also be significant, but it should always be considered in the context of the piece itself. Its typography and placement, the quality of craftsmanship and the other marks found on the jewelry should all be consistent.
The absence of a signature does not mean that an antique jewel lacks interest. Many unsigned pieces display excellent craftsmanship and can be highly representative of a particular period or jewelry style.
Identifying a piece of jewelry and determining its value are related but distinct processes.
An appraisal takes into account the information gathered during the examination of the piece, as well as its condition, quality of craftsmanship, gemstones, possible signature and relevance in the current market.
The value of an antique jewel therefore cannot always be reduced to the weight of its precious metal plus the value of its gemstones. An Art Deco platinum ring, a Napoleon III brooch, a Tank bracelet or a signed jewel may have a value as a piece of jewelry that should be considered before assessing its materials alone.
Conversely, age alone does not guarantee significant value. Condition, quality, previous alterations and current demand for that type of jewelry must also be considered.
At Héritage de France®, we provide complimentary verbal appraisals for jewelry presented at our Paris store.
This initial appraisal allows us to identify the piece, examine its principal characteristics and provide an indication of its value based on the current market.
When more detailed documentation is required, a written appraisal can be prepared upon request. This is a separate service from our complimentary verbal appraisal.
This distinction can be particularly important when a written document describing the characteristics of a piece or a collection of jewelry is required.
It is common to discover jewelry whose history is largely unknown following an inheritance or estate settlement.
In such cases, it is generally advisable to have the pieces examined before altering them, removing their gemstones or considering selling them solely for their precious-metal value.
A seemingly miscellaneous collection may contain pieces from very different periods and with very different values: antique jewelry, vintage pieces, modern jewelry, signed pieces, diamonds, precious gemstones or jewelry whose value is primarily related to its gold content.
Examining the pieces individually makes it possible to distinguish jewelry valued primarily for its materials from pieces that may also have jewelry, historical or market interest.
Original boxes, receipts, certificates, previous appraisals and other documents accompanying the jewelry may also provide useful information and should be preserved.
Having a piece of jewelry appraised and deciding to sell it are two separate steps.
Following our examination, when a piece corresponds to the jewelry we are interested in acquiring, Héritage de France® may make a firm purchase offer.
The offer takes into account the nature of the piece, its gemstones, condition and relevance in the current market. For antique or signed jewelry, the assessment is therefore not limited to the weight of its precious metal.
The initial appraisal allows the owner to better understand the nature and characteristics of the jewelry before deciding whether to sell it.
Located at the entrance to the Village Suisse in Paris, Héritage de France® specializes in antique, vintage and pre-owned jewelry.
Our daily experience with these pieces allows us to examine a wide range of jewelry, including antique diamond rings, Art Deco jewelry, Tank bracelets, 19th-century brooches, signed jewelry and more recent pieces.
Our activity buying and selling antique jewelry also gives us direct knowledge of the current market and of the types of pieces collectors and buyers are seeking.
Jewelry can be brought to our store for a complimentary verbal appraisal, with or without an appointment. When we are interested in purchasing a piece, we may make an offer following its examination.
