(806) 244-4453 Fax

Tips For Buying Jewelry At Auction

Thursday, May 5th, 2016

Attending an auction is a great way to get well-priced, unique pieces of jewelry that are tough to find anywhere else. You should follow some tips while at auction to ensure you are getting quality jewelry for the price you bid. You will need to compare the prices with similar pieces, verify the quality of the jewelry, and possibly get an appraisal if bidding on high-priced items.

Compare the jewelry prices

The first thing you want to do is compare the prices by previewing the items in an auction catalog. Check with the manufacturer of the jewelry, especially if it is a fairly new piece, to find out what it is worth. If it is an older piece of jewelry, you can check recent prices from similar sales to compare. Establish a limit for your bidding before going to the auction. You don’t want to get caught up in the excitement and pay more than what an item is worth.

Verify the quality of the jewelry

Before buying a piece of jewelry, you want to be sure it is made of quality materials. Check if the manufacturer is a well-known name and look at the size and value of each component. Take a special look at the metal and stones. Auctioneers are there to answer any questions you have, so don’t be afraid to inquire about a piece. These professionals can help you establish the jewelry’s authenticity and show you photos, if they have them, detailing signatures or markings on the piece.

Seek an appraisal for high-priced jewelry

You may want to invest in an appraisal, especially if the jewelry has a high price ticket. Some independent gemologists are also appraisers and they can advise you whether the piece is worth bidding on and what limit you should stay under.

Don’t get caught up in the excitement of bidding at an auction

It can be an exciting experience to bid on an item at an auction. However, you need to have a limit on how much you can bid. Determining this limit can help you eliminate the chance of bidding more than you have. You should also resist bidding wars, because they are also likely to cause you to go over your budget.

Estate auction jewelry

There are seven criteria for deciding if estate auction jewelry is worth bidding on; craftsmanship, design, demand, scarcity, size, color, and condition. Condition of the jewelry is the most important and will have the greatest impact on its value. Sometimes, looking through a loupe, which a small magnifying glass used by jewelers, will show you any defects or damage.

Auctioneers can be your best source for information when considering a piece of jewelry at an auction. If you are interested in learning more about auctions, contact the experts at High Plains Auctioneers today. Call us at (806) 244-6776 or Contact Us by email for more information on bidding at or holding an auction. Don’t forget to view our upcoming auctions to see what we currently have available!