Almost all women (some men too) have certain pieces of jewelry that they simply do not wear. It might be that Amethyst birthstone bracelet that was a gift from your aunt years ago. Perhaps you inherited your father’s college ring with the Tourmaline that matched his school’s colors. Or maybe you received Garnet heart-shaped earrings one year for Valentine’s Day as a romantic gesture … from an ex. You could hold onto these pieces and let them tarnish away in your jewelry box, or you could sell them and make extra cash. Chances are good you are not a jewelry expert, though, which makes deciding where to begin a little scary. After all, even though you aren’t wearing that jewelry, you don’t want to feel like you’ve just given it away for nothing. We all want to know we’ve gotten the best deal we can for our jewels. Luckily, Sal, the owner at Judy’s Jewelry Antique and Estate Jewelry in Fort Myers, FL, is very knowledgeable about the value of jewelry with semi-precious gemstones. Sal also has a lot of resources in the appraisal world and can call in experts easily if there’s something he doesn’t know.
Precious vs. Semi-Precious Stones: Know the Difference
Gemstones of all varieties are minerals or rocks that have been cut, shined, and polished to make into jewelry. In the 1800s, gemstones were separated into two categories—precious and semi-precious. There are actually only four gemstones that are considered to be precious: Diamonds, Sapphires, Rubies, and Emeralds. Everything else is considered semi-precious. Don’t let the name semi-precious fool you, however, many semi-precious gemstones are more rare and thus more expensive than traditional precious gemstones.
What qualifies as a semi-precious stone?
The market for semi-precious gemstone jewelry is global of course. Worldwide, we all love some bling bling, and of course semi precious stones come from all corners of the earth. Thousands of people just like you all around the globe are buying and selling pieces similar to what you have in your collection. In fact, Style Magazine recently reported that certain jewelry pieces with semi-precious stones are going for thousands of dollars at auctions in Asia. That does not mean you’re sitting on a fortune worth of unworn, unwanted jewelry. It does mean, however, that you need to know how to make an accurate estimate of the value of your jewelry pieces. At Judy’s Jewelry Antique and Estate Jewelry in Fort Myers, Sal offers free consultations and evaluations of your semi precious jewelry, so feel free to visit him today!
