Evaluating Inherited Jewelry: A Practical First Visit

Inherited jewelry can arrive with detailed records or with little more than a family story. Begin by documenting what you have. You do not need to decide immediately whether to keep, redesign or sell each piece.

Make a Simple Inventory

Photograph each piece from several angles and assign it a short description. Keep pairs and matching sets together. Store loose pieces separately so they do not rub against one another.

Collect receipts, laboratory reports, appraisals and handwritten notes. Record family recollections as recollections rather than confirmed dates or provenance. Keep original papers safe and bring copies when practical.

Preserve Before You Restore

Avoid polishing, resizing or replacing parts before an initial evaluation. Wear, old repairs and maker marks can help explain a piece. An unfamiliar stone or delicate setting may also need a different cleaning method than modern diamond jewelry.

Ask for Identification First

An examination can help establish metal composition, stone identity and condition. Marks provide clues, but they do not independently prove authenticity, age or purity. Some questions require further testing or specialist research.

Choose the Right Type of Valuation

Explain whether you need information for insurance, a possible sale or another purpose. An insurance replacement figure is not a promise of resale proceeds. A dealer’s buying offer is a separate figure based on the piece and current demand.

Ask what a written appraisal will cover, the fee and the expected timing before ordering it. Confirm that the service fits the purpose for which you need the document.

Take the Decision in Stages

You can evaluate the collection before deciding which pieces to keep. Preserve the history of any item you sell or redesign with photographs and notes.

Contact our Boca Raton team to discuss what to bring and which evaluation would be useful for your inherited jewelry.