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Stories of custom designs, high-value sales, exceptional estates, and appraisals.
Jewelry Appraisal FAQs
Jane Becker, fine jewelry appraiser with over 35 years in the industry, shares her answers to the most frequently asked questions regarding jewelry appraisals.
Gems Among Friends
When you sell gold, your first step is to remove any diamonds or colored gemstones. From there you have a few options. You can sell the gold and precious gemstones, or you can repurpose these materials into something new.
Everyday Diamonds
When you sell gold, your first step is to remove any diamonds or colored gemstones. From there you have a few options. You can sell the gold and precious gemstones, or you can repurpose these materials into something new.
Seven Rings for Seven Ladies
I always say, “jewelry is more than just gold and stones. Every piece has a feeling attached to it.” That’s exactly what happened with this recent project.
Unique Gems, Unique Rings
A client of mine loves colored gemstones and found two gorgeous spinels on auction. After he purchased them, he tasked me with creating two men’s rings with each of the stones.
Creating a Custom Emerald Engagement Ring
After working together for over three years, my assistant and I finally had the opportunity to meet in person. I was thrilled to design her custom emerald engagement ring. She flew to New York City and filmed a day in my life.
What to Do with Jewelry from an Ex
Jewelry makes an excellent gift from your romantic partner. Not every relationship is built to last, though. What do you do with the jewelry that is left behind?
2024 Retrospective
Each year, I’m grateful for the relationships and opportunities that come with being a trusted jewelry designer and appraiser. Working with my clients is a privilege I truly value.
From Heirlooms to A Perfect Ring
One of the women from one of my networking groups recently came to me with a fun challenge. She had multiple rings that she inherited from several members. She knew she would never be able to wear all of the rings, and asked if there was a way to create one single piece that showcased each of the stones.
Behind the Sale: From Estate to Marketplace
An experienced appraiser can travel to you if you’re looking to sell an estate. This allows you to feel comfortable and informed about the process in a familiar setting.
Refreshing Your Jewelry Collection
I traveled to my clients house to sit with her and walk through each of her fine jewelry pieces. Not only am I evaluating the pieces themselves, I am also gauging my client’s emotional reactions to understand the connection to each piece.
Rethink an Antique
A client of mine was recently searching for a new pair of earrings and found a beautiful pair of antique red garnet earrings. However, she waited too long to make a move and when she was finally ready to purchase them, they were gone.
"Gold is money. Everything else is credit."
If you want to determine the value of your gold, it's crucial to understand the basics of buying and selling gold. In this blog, I answer the most frequently asked questions about gold to help you navigate the process with confidence.
Moving? time to Re-Assess Your Jewelry As Well
Often, professional organizers will contact me when their clients are preparing for a big move, either within their home state or to a new one.
These sort of life events help you to declutter and re-evaluate the items you own. During this process, you may come across one or several pieces of fine jewelry that you don’t wear anymore and aren’t enjoying to the fullest extent.
Custom Continuum Ring
One of the many great aspects of custom fine jewelry is that it is all about you.
From the design to the stones and setting, the possibilities are endless when working with a designer to create your next piece of fine jewelry. The best part, you don’t need to be face to face with your designer. It can all be done virtually.
Five Myths About Fine Jewelry
The fine jewelry industry is often wrapped in mystery. But it doesn’t need to be. In this blog, I address five of the most common myths I hear as a fine jewelry expert.
New Life to An Aquamarine
The styles and times are always changing. One of my clients, a vibrant and modern young woman, recently came to me with a request to redesign an aquamarine ring that had been gifted to her by her boyfriend.
She wanted a large statement ring that was both simple and elegant.
Infinite Diamonds, Fire Red Rubies
What happens when you have a special anniversary approaching and you can’t find the perfect piece of jewelry to gift your partner? You know she deserves the best of the best.
Simple - you have a one-of-a-kind piece custom made!
Celebrate Earth Day: Upcycle Your Diamonds!
Symbolic of truth, faithfulness, nobility, and heaven, sapphires have been loved for their breathtaking color for centuries. They have been worn by royalty and members of the clergy, and were once believed to protect their owners from harm and envy in ancient Greece.
Reinventing an Heirloom for Today's Elegance
Carrie Bradshaw notoriously wore the engagement ring Aidan gave her around her neck rather than on her hand in Sex and the City. But what happens if you inherit a diamond engagement ring and don’t want to just string it on a chain around your neck?
This is exactly what happened with one of my clients who inherited a ring that she knew she was never going to wear.