Natural Colored Diamonds Are the Rarest of the Rare November 5, 2024 17:17

Thank goodness for the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). Once the popularity of diamond rings and jewelry took off after World War II, this group was formed to help jewelers and the public understand a grading system for diamonds. GIA is the most respected gem laboratory in the world.

Here is a fun fact about NATURAL diamonds with color: They represent a very small fraction of the diamonds dug from the earth. Just one in every TEN THOUSAND of diamonds is colored. Red and blue diamonds are so rare they go for an insane amount of money. Of the rarest diamonds, yellow ones are the most common. They represent 60% of the natural colored diamonds we find.

We have some beautiful, natural yellow diamond rings at our store. They all come with paperwork from GIA attesting to their natural origin. You can take a look at our natural yellow diamond rings here: Natural Yellow Diamonds

Hollow Gold Chains Save You Money - Unless They Need To Be Repaired April 13, 2024 15:00

Wearing Jewelry - Especially Rings and Chains - 24/7 is NOT a good idea. April 17, 2023 13:12

Wearing your diamond ring 24/7 is really not a good idea.

Most Jewelry You Purchase is NOT an Investment February 27, 2023 13:25

Diamonds Grown in Laboratories - We Like Them and Sell Them - January 19, 2021 10:05

What To Know About Buying/Selling Estate Jewelry January 22, 2020 12:24

Selling Your Estate Jewelry

The first thing we tell anyone who inherits jewelry - be it a little or a lot - DO NOT TOSS ANYTHING OUT! We have seen too many instances where people mistake the real thing for costume jewelry and vice versa. Take all the items to a trusted professional with experience, test equipment and a solid reputation. Let them tell you what you have.

The second most important thing to know is that generally speaking, Estate jewelry is like any other used item - it is not going to sell for the replacement cost or any where near the cost of a new piece. There ARE exceptions, but a general rule of thumb for a sales price if the item is in good, very good or excellent condition is 50% of the cost of a similar new item. 

Exceptions might include Rolex watches, designer pieces, collectible items - signed pieces, etc. 

A popular misconception is that diamonds and diamond jewelry appreciate in value. Some of this is because of misunderstanding appraisal value. For example, say I do an appraisal on a 1.00 ct G color SI1 clarity round diamond mounted in a 14kt white gold solitaire for someone today. I might advise them to insure the ring for $6,700.00 as a replacement value. Should Ms X pass away tomorrow, will her family be able to sell the diamond ring for $6,700? NO, not even close. I am advising them with the appraisal that in my professional opinion based on 23 years in the business that if they lost the ring, $6,700 would be enough to replace it with a similar ring. Who in their right mind would buy something used for the price of the same item new?

Think about it - pick any item you own that might be covered by insurance. A musical instrument, your car, electronic equipment, smart phone, etc. If your house burned most insurance policies will cover replacement cost (the good policies anyway), but would you use that as a tool to sell your used car, TV, phone, or guitar? No, because no one is going to pay you the same amount for a used whatever as they would for a NEW one. They would be silly. The same principle applies to Aunt Susie's diamond tennis bracelet that she had insured for $7,000. It is used, so expecting it to sell for the price of a new one is not realistic. (Exception, it was a Tiffany piece made in the 1920s in mint condition.....then MAYBE.)

People like to think that this process somehow means jewelry prices are super inflated or fake or what ever. Simply not true. The replacement or new value of ANY ITEM is generally considerably more than what you can sell the used item for. People want to hold used jewelry to a different standard some how and I do not understand it.

We have 20 years experience in the jewelry business and we also have test equipment that helps us find the gold and diamonds in the midst of costume jewelry.

So - what does this help cost? Well, if you will allow us to buy the silver and gold, we don't charge you to look for it. If you just need a general evaluation and to separate out the fine jewelry from the rest, we work on an hourly basis (Cliff is pretty darn fast at this, too) We charge $40 an hour.

If we find some really nice pieces, we can sell them for you on consignment here in our store OR we have a network of people we work with in NYC, Chicago, Dallas, and LA who buy big, estate pieces. We have been able to help people realize more money in their pockets by this networking.

In Which Cliff Changes His Mind About Moissanite March 16, 2019 17:52

Cliff was never a big fan of Moissanite. That all changed in 2015 and he explains why in this blog post.

We Can Help You With Inherited Jewelry February 20, 2019 15:44

Chimera Design Now Offers Pocket Watch Repair & Service August 8, 2018 10:50 1 Comment

We now offer service, repair, and restoration of pocket watches. 

Learn To Be A Bench Jeweler - Get a Job Anywhere in The Country July 10, 2018 13:27

Cliff Explains Karats, Carats, and Carrots June 29, 2018 15:53

Chimera Design Has The Solution For Curved Engagement Rings July 15, 2017 10:22

The Loving Embrace curved bands will fit 95% of all engagement rings.