Estate Jewelry Questions

FAQ

Buying inherited jewelry and estate metals

Will you tell us to sell elsewhere?

When a piece is worth more to a specialist, yes. It costs us the item.

Can we sell before probate is opened?

Ask your attorney. We would rather wait than create a problem.

What about specific bequests in the will?

Check first. Selling something left to a named beneficiary is very difficult to undo.

What record do we get?

A written itemized list — piece, weight, purity and price paid.

Should we photograph first?

Always, individually, before anything moves.

Should we clean coins?

Never. It is visible to specialists and reduces value.

Should we polish silver?

No. It removes metal and does not change the offer.

Is our flatware sterling or plate?

We test it. Plate looks identical and has little metal value.

Should we sell a watch for its gold?

Almost never.

Why is the diamond offer so low?

Retail margin does not come back in the resale market.

Do certificates matter?

Considerably. They are often filed with insurance papers.

Should we wait for a better gold price?

The difference is usually small, and we cannot predict it.

Do we have to decide on the day?

No. Take the offer away.

Can we bring the whole box?

Please do, including what you think is worthless.

Is this page legal advice?

No. Your probate attorney decides what applies.