How Much is My Jewelry Worth

Whether it marks a special occasion or just a personal treat, the sentimental value of some jewelry is substantial. While that’s the most important reason to love and safeguard your valuables, you might still be curious as to your jewelry’s value, and how it could change over time. The answer to that question isn’t simple. You’ll have to consider the entire piece, from its metal to its stone and even its designer. Compare that to trends in pricing, and you might have a better idea of the price tag that could go with your rings, necklaces, bracelets or earrings — if you’re ready to part with them, that is. Read on to learn more about how much your jewelry might be worth.

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Gem Trends

Gemstone prices can be a bit confusing. Perhaps you notice that a huge emerald ring costs significantly less than a more reasonably sized sapphire one. It might not make sense, since both are beautiful options, and there’s often no other explanation than this: One type of stone is more popular with buyers than another. Perhaps that’s why the value of the stones included in our graph — tanzanite, sapphire, emerald, ruby, amethyst and alexandrite — don’t quite rise consistently over time. Fortunately, though, most of these stones have gained in value as the years go by. If you’re looking to make money off of your own collection, you may want to sell pieces containing stones on the upswing. Learn more about diamonds and gemstones in our free guide.

Metals Matter

While most of the value of your jewelry comes from the stone at its center, you will find that the metal used to make it has a price tag, too. If it’s silver, it probably won’t bring much extra cash to your pocket since the value of this metal has barely changed over the past 11 years. The same goes for palladium, although this metal had a higher value about five years ago. It probably comes as no surprise that platinum and gold have a greater value today than they did in 2005, especially the latter of the two.

And Then There Are Diamonds

You almost can’t go wrong when it goes to buying a diamond. The clear stone is always in style, especially for lovebirds ready to tie the knot. For that reason, the price of diamonds typically stays the same at the very least. Depending on the size and clarity, you could sell your diamond for more than the original purchase price. Surprisingly enough, the most increased value comes with smaller diamonds, so don’t be so sure that you have to sell your biggest-ticket stone to make a profit.

When In Doubt…

If you’re unsure of the value of any piece of jewelry, don’t hesitate to take it to a jeweler for an appraisal. With his or her suggested price in mind — and, perhaps, a professional cleaning of the piece — you can smartly sell your jewelry for a fair price. Of course, you could keep it right there in your collection, too.