Sunday, November 20, 2005
Tips for People Selling Their Fine Jewelry
Appraisals are utilized for various functions -insurance, estates, dissolutions and other legal matters. They can also facilitate a resale by helping the prospective buyer make an informed decision. That’s exactly what we are seeing more of these days - appraisals for people wishing to sell their jewelry. The prospect of re-selling jewelry is challenging in this highly competitive marketplace and NGL is here to help with another “What You Need To Know” brochure. With tips for selling to both professional buyers and individuals, we discuss methods of sale, auctions - both traditional and electronic, benefits and pitfalls of each. It also provides some alternatives you may not have considered. Drop by the lab for a complimentary copy or visit www.nwgem.com for a free download.
Friday, May 20, 2005
New Sales Techniques for Pre-Owned Jewelry
Preliminary Reports for everyone !!
Until now, our preliminary fine jewelry reports have been available only to those in the resale trade,i.e. antique stores, pawn brokers, etc. because these reports are not for insurance purposes, but to facilitate a sale of pre-owned jewelry. Now, with the prevalence of E-marketing and those who consign, we have decided to offer this service directly to the public. Our Preliminary Fine Jewelry Report gives the prospective buyer the metal identity of the item, stone identity, estimated weights for diamonds, color, clarity etc. in a compact form with color photograph. A realistic retail value places the article in perspective for an informed decision. This an abbreviated report not for insurance, but for verification and relative
value. The cost is $40 by appointment/down to $30 in quantity with 3-5 day turnaround.
CD Support Services for pre-owned jewelry now include high resolution CD burned
photographs to include in your advertising. Our detailed photos help the client visualize their upcoming purchase or archive items for future use. Add from $15 to your existing service. Can also be used to compliment your fine jewelry appraisal by putting everything on CD.
Want to Sell? Our brochure will be available soon
Our newly revised “What You Need To Know About Selling Your Fine Jewelry” gives the layperson insight into the realities of marketing fine jewelry and the various methods available to them. Information for private sale, auctions, E-trading, print media plus possible tax implications. Click on Selling Your Jewelry or call for this updated brochure.
Until now, our preliminary fine jewelry reports have been available only to those in the resale trade,i.e. antique stores, pawn brokers, etc. because these reports are not for insurance purposes, but to facilitate a sale of pre-owned jewelry. Now, with the prevalence of E-marketing and those who consign, we have decided to offer this service directly to the public. Our Preliminary Fine Jewelry Report gives the prospective buyer the metal identity of the item, stone identity, estimated weights for diamonds, color, clarity etc. in a compact form with color photograph. A realistic retail value places the article in perspective for an informed decision. This an abbreviated report not for insurance, but for verification and relative
value. The cost is $40 by appointment/down to $30 in quantity with 3-5 day turnaround.
CD Support Services for pre-owned jewelry now include high resolution CD burned
photographs to include in your advertising. Our detailed photos help the client visualize their upcoming purchase or archive items for future use. Add from $15 to your existing service. Can also be used to compliment your fine jewelry appraisal by putting everything on CD.
Want to Sell? Our brochure will be available soon
Our newly revised “What You Need To Know About Selling Your Fine Jewelry” gives the layperson insight into the realities of marketing fine jewelry and the various methods available to them. Information for private sale, auctions, E-trading, print media plus possible tax implications. Click on Selling Your Jewelry or call for this updated brochure.
Who's Appraising Your Jewelry? (op-ed with Ted)
If you want to appraise real estate, youneed a special license. If you want to appraise jewelry, just print a business card.
When I got into the business of appraising jewelry over twenty-five years ago, no special licensing was required to place value to someone’s jewelry. Today, little has changed. Appraisers of fine jewelry abound, some willing to do anything to acquire business - and I mean anything.
NGL has given up enough business over the years to support many “appraisers” who don’t really care what value goes on an item - just so they can profit by the transaction. I keep seeing appraisals up to eight times the jeweler’s cost—a bit high considering today’s competitive market, don’t you think? Since NGL does not cater to all elements of the jewelry industry, we loose business to those who do, but retain an integrity to the remaining jewelers who believe in honest representations to their clients.
Many appraisers also deal in jewelry on the side (or up front). Not illegal, not even immoral except when they represent themselves as “independent”. And ours isn’t an isolated industry. Appraisers and agents in other fields routinely enter into transactions over the articles they examine, but I think that smacks of conflict- of-interest.
Am I ever tempted to sell to the public, especially after seeing the rip-offs I do? Sure. I could make a lot more money than I do now, but feel I would impugn my integrity to the industry and the public as an independent appraiser. If I do ever cross over, I will be up front about it.
As the Northwest’s first independent fine jewelry appraisal laboratory and one of the few that doesn’t sell jewelry, NGL takes pride in offering uncompromised appraisal services for insurance, estate and other legal purposes. I hope that matters to you.
When I got into the business of appraising jewelry over twenty-five years ago, no special licensing was required to place value to someone’s jewelry. Today, little has changed. Appraisers of fine jewelry abound, some willing to do anything to acquire business - and I mean anything.
NGL has given up enough business over the years to support many “appraisers” who don’t really care what value goes on an item - just so they can profit by the transaction. I keep seeing appraisals up to eight times the jeweler’s cost—a bit high considering today’s competitive market, don’t you think? Since NGL does not cater to all elements of the jewelry industry, we loose business to those who do, but retain an integrity to the remaining jewelers who believe in honest representations to their clients.
Many appraisers also deal in jewelry on the side (or up front). Not illegal, not even immoral except when they represent themselves as “independent”. And ours isn’t an isolated industry. Appraisers and agents in other fields routinely enter into transactions over the articles they examine, but I think that smacks of conflict- of-interest.
Am I ever tempted to sell to the public, especially after seeing the rip-offs I do? Sure. I could make a lot more money than I do now, but feel I would impugn my integrity to the industry and the public as an independent appraiser. If I do ever cross over, I will be up front about it.
As the Northwest’s first independent fine jewelry appraisal laboratory and one of the few that doesn’t sell jewelry, NGL takes pride in offering uncompromised appraisal services for insurance, estate and other legal purposes. I hope that matters to you.
Wednesday, April 20, 2005
From NGI to GIA
Many people ask about becoming a Graduate Gemologist (G.G.) through the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), the foremost school for gemology in the industry and creators of most of the gemological systems used in the trade today. Whether studying in residence at GIA’s Carlsbad California campus or through correspondence while staying at home, the processes of diamond grading and gemstone identification with hand’s on training at NGI will set you up for success.
Just ask Audrey Forrest, newly
anointed G.G. and former NGI intern– now employed here, assisting in our gemology classes and at the lab, while learning the processes of appraising fine jewelry. As an NGI student, Audrey exercised our offer of studying for the GIA courses using our school equipment. Already knowing the fundamentals, she cruised through her studies with near-perfect scores, becoming a
G.G. in well under a year while employed locally by Mill Creek Jewelers.
Over the years, several NGI graduates have gone one to become G.G.’s and found little trouble with the GIA curriculum because they had already learned the tough stuff right here at NGI!
For a small investment, you will gain confidence in the examination of diamonds, their treatments and substitutes and learn to use gem ID equipment such as the refractometer, polariscope, dichroscope, specific gravity liquids and, of course, the microscope. Even if you do not wish to become a G.G., an NGI education pays big dividends for both those in industry and consumers.
Just ask Audrey Forrest, newly
anointed G.G. and former NGI intern– now employed here, assisting in our gemology classes and at the lab, while learning the processes of appraising fine jewelry. As an NGI student, Audrey exercised our offer of studying for the GIA courses using our school equipment. Already knowing the fundamentals, she cruised through her studies with near-perfect scores, becoming aG.G. in well under a year while employed locally by Mill Creek Jewelers.
Over the years, several NGI graduates have gone one to become G.G.’s and found little trouble with the GIA curriculum because they had already learned the tough stuff right here at NGI!
For a small investment, you will gain confidence in the examination of diamonds, their treatments and substitutes and learn to use gem ID equipment such as the refractometer, polariscope, dichroscope, specific gravity liquids and, of course, the microscope. Even if you do not wish to become a G.G., an NGI education pays big dividends for both those in industry and consumers.
Pssst...Wanna buy a loupe?
Did you know that we sell basic gemological stuff, like jeweler’s loupes, tweezers and books? 
Recently, we found great buys on some other things and would like to share them with you now. All purchases are at our lab in Bellevue, WA with applicable sales tax.
Colorful Jeweler’s Loupes
10X corrected loupes are available in exotic colors such as Mocha Brown (a Seattle favorite), Lapis Blue, Emerald Green and Hot Pink. Of course, basic black is always in fashion: $25 plus tax. We also have a 20X loupe at $27.50.
Ultrasonic Cleaner Kit
A real ultrasonic cleaner with stainless steel tank, 42,000 oscillations per second and included industrial strength solution. We also throw in a jeweler’s rouge cloth for a finishing touch.
The complete kit is only $69.95 plus tax.
Metals Gram Scale
Accurate to 0.1grams or pennyweights. Also measures ounces (to 0.001) and carats (0.1). Fits in
a shirt pocket. $59.95 plus tax
We also have a limited number of books available
Recently, we found great buys on some other things and would like to share them with you now. All purchases are at our lab in Bellevue, WA with applicable sales tax.Colorful Jeweler’s Loupes
10X corrected loupes are available in exotic colors such as Mocha Brown (a Seattle favorite), Lapis Blue, Emerald Green and Hot Pink. Of course, basic black is always in fashion: $25 plus tax. We also have a 20X loupe at $27.50.
Ultrasonic Cleaner KitA real ultrasonic cleaner with stainless steel tank, 42,000 oscillations per second and included industrial strength solution. We also throw in a jeweler’s rouge cloth for a finishing touch.
The complete kit is only $69.95 plus tax.
Metals Gram Scale
Accurate to 0.1grams or pennyweights. Also measures ounces (to 0.001) and carats (0.1). Fits in
a shirt pocket. $59.95 plus taxWe also have a limited number of books available
Tucson Review
Each year, I take a small number of my gem students (see Ted’s Tucson Tour NGI/ school section) to the world’s biggest gem and mineral show in Tucson, Arizona early February. This year our contingent researched gem prices, bought a little (some a lot) and made future contacts.
What’s Hot? After many years of speculation, Tanzanite has finally gotten a more solid base price - not as much from new material but the selling off of old stones at firmer prices. The future should be interesting, what with a push for more localized production, selling though a cartel style arrangement and price ”augmentation” to stratify the production into a wider range of qualities– we’ll see. And as prices for the best material approaches that of decent blue sapphire, why would one want a brittle, heat induced zoisite instead of durable sapphire, anyway? Maybe I will do an article on the tanzanite hype, next time.
Pink stuff is hotter than ever. Sapphires, tourmaline, topaz, spinel, etc. are still trendy. Last year’s Be-diffusion scare on sapphires seems to have subsided, but bear in mind it can take a pink sapphire to a 1/10th its apparent value. Be – ware. (Be means beryllium treatment, a diffusion process that induces color at a nearly undetectable rate and has made orange sapphire almost un-saleable). Because other colors can also be created the endorsement of
un-treated gems has gained increased marketability.
Pearls are more stable this year, with better management of Tahitian production and marketing, more controlled Chinese production and sale and higher end products available. Interesting multi-color strands of mixed regions (Tahitian, South Sea, Philippine, etc.) were more prevalent. Some had natural and treated colors and a few were guaranteed to be of natural coloration.
Next year’s Tucson class roster is already filling, and with the right gem course prerequisites, you could join us.
What’s Hot? After many years of speculation, Tanzanite has finally gotten a more solid base price - not as much from new material but the selling off of old stones at firmer prices. The future should be interesting, what with a push for more localized production, selling though a cartel style arrangement and price ”augmentation” to stratify the production into a wider range of qualities– we’ll see. And as prices for the best material approaches that of decent blue sapphire, why would one want a brittle, heat induced zoisite instead of durable sapphire, anyway? Maybe I will do an article on the tanzanite hype, next time.
Pink stuff is hotter than ever. Sapphires, tourmaline, topaz, spinel, etc. are still trendy. Last year’s Be-diffusion scare on sapphires seems to have subsided, but bear in mind it can take a pink sapphire to a 1/10th its apparent value. Be – ware. (Be means beryllium treatment, a diffusion process that induces color at a nearly undetectable rate and has made orange sapphire almost un-saleable). Because other colors can also be created the endorsement of
un-treated gems has gained increased marketability.
Pearls are more stable this year, with better management of Tahitian production and marketing, more controlled Chinese production and sale and higher end products available. Interesting multi-color strands of mixed regions (Tahitian, South Sea, Philippine, etc.) were more prevalent. Some had natural and treated colors and a few were guaranteed to be of natural coloration.
Next year’s Tucson class roster is already filling, and with the right gem course prerequisites, you could join us.
Lab notes...tales from the Lab-or-a-tory
Every hundred bridal sets or so, we get to appraise something really different. Here
are a few of the more interesting items encountered at the lab recently. 1) Opals. Lovely
black opals within an Art Nouveau necklace with pique-a-jour enamel and diamonds. Amagnificent piece of art. Unfortunately, some of the opals were crazed - meaning light
fractures within the stones - took away nearly all of their value. While those opals did not
contribute to the overall value, the piece was still worthy of significant auction interest. Apparently,
long storage in a safety deposit box was the culprit. 2) Synthetic Diamonds. Occasionally, a client brings in an item without prior information. Sometimes that brings about red flags. Especiallywhen the item happens to be a green diamond. Add a yellow one and a colorless one—all small stones, and our firstthought was either a collector with new specimens, or synthetics . With the colored diamonds being flawless, we got suspicious. When the colorless diamond showed black metallic looking characteristics, we were certain. When confronted, the client confessed we are viewing synthetics. She was a business reporter doing an article on a new synthetic diamond process. Her article highly quoted G.I.A. director Bill Boyajjan and noted the lab that detected the synthetics- us.
3) Pretty Big Diamond. Yeah, I know I speak flippantly of diamonds as merely crystallized
carbon, maybe because I grade so many every day. We in the Seattle area do get the occasional big diamond (that would be over ten carats) and even I get impressed. A recent entry pegged in at our largest in a while at 11.45 carats. We placed the value at about 200G’s (the resale/wholesale gap gets very narrow at this level) and it was put up for an E-trade auction. Happy bidding.
