If you’ve collected antique jewelry throughout your life or you’ve recently inherited a few estate jewelry pieces, you may be considering selling these luxury items to earn some extra money. Before you list your antique jewelry for sale, however, it’s essential that you take the time to properly care for them.

Properly caring for your antique jewelry is crucial for protecting its value and ensuring you get the best possible price when selling your jewelry. Here are a few steps you can take to care for your estate jewelry and maximize its value.

Regularly Clean Your Antique Jewelry

One of the most important steps in taking care of your antique or estate jewelry is to regularly clean it. Even if your antique pieces may appear to be in great condition, they can dull or begin to tarnish over time if they aren’t cleaned on a regular basis.

To clean your jewelry, use a gentle soap and water solution and carefully rub the jewelry with a soft cloth. You can also use a soft-bristled baby toothbrush dipped in the soap solution to get into any nooks and crannies. However, always use a new toothbrush, not a used one, as any leftover toothpaste can scratch your luxury items. Make sure to clean the sides and back of the jewelry as well as the front of it since dust and debris can accumulate in those areas as well.

A polishing cloth is also beneficial for removing any dirt, fingerprints, or grime from your antique piece regularly. Polishing cloths are best for sterling silver as well as pearl or other strung necklaces.

Store Your Antique Jewelry Properly

Proper storage is also important for preserving your estate jewelry once it’s been cleaned. It’s understandable if you typically clean your antique jewelry in a jewelry box or drawer. However, this isn’t the best place for your antique values, as they can jostle against one another and potentially become scratched or damaged.

Instead, keep your antique jewelry in individual compartments to keep them safe. If you don’t have individual drawers or boxes, storing them inside individual dust bags can also help prevent scratches in your jewelry box.

It’s also important that wherever you store them is a location with low humidity and no direct sunlight. Heat, sunlight and humidity can all warp antique jewelry and cause them to degrade more quickly, so keeping them in a cool, dark place such as a closet or cupboard will help keep them looking their best for as long as possible.

Visit a Jewelry Repair Professional

If your antique jewelry has loose stones, deeply wedged dirt, scratches, dings or any other issues, it’s always best to take it to a jewelry repair professional. Attempting to rectify these issues through DIY solutions often leave jewelry in worse condition than before, and any amateur repairs will be noticed during an appraisal when you decide to sell your luxury goods.

Research the best places to sell gold jewelry near you, and make sure that they have a good reputation in jewelry repair and cleaning. While there are steps you can take at home to preserve and clean your jewelry, there’s no substitute for a thorough cleaning, polishing, or repair job from a trustworthy jewelry repair professional.

At Watch & Wares, our team of trained professionals has been performing watch, estate jewelry, and handbag repair services for decades. We understand luxury, and we always strive to provide the best service in the Orange, CA, area. Our master jeweler has over 40 years of industry experience and is the jeweler that other local jewelers go to for answers. 

We’re also known as the best place to sell luxury items in Orange County. Since 1992, we’ve been the premier source for estate jewelry buying, selling and collateral loans. We’re confident you won’t find anyone better to restore your luxury goods, especially at our competitive price point. To receive a free estimate on one of our luxury repair services, give us a call at 714-633-2030 or contact us via our online form today.

Gold is an enduringly popular material that has been treasured for centuries. A symbol of luxury, it has been transformed into jewelry, armor, coins, and countless other objects. Its enduring place in history is what ensures that gold never goes out of style, whether you’re wearing your gold jewelry for special occasions or everyday wear.

Whether you’re in the market to buy gold jewelry or you’re looking for places to sell jewelry for cash, it’s important to understand the different aspects of this precious metal to make sure you’re getting a fair value. Before going shopping or scheduling an appraisal, make sure you understand these nuanced aspects of gold jewelry.

Gold Colors

Gold jewelry is available in three primary colors: yellow gold, white gold, and rose gold. Despite the variation in shade, all gold tones are made with real gold. In the case of white gold and rose gold, natural gold is mixed with different alloys to achieve a unique color.

• Yellow Gold: Yellow gold is the traditional color of gold and is often used in classic designs. It is created by adding copper, zinc, and other metals to pure gold to give it added strength and durability.

• White Gold: White gold can sometimes be mistaken for silver due to its bright, cool shimmering tone. Because of this, it’s extremely popular in modern designs, although it remains timeless. White gold is created by adding nickel, palladium, and other metals to pure gold. It’s also plated with Rhodium for a silvery-white finish and added durability.
• Rose Gold: Also called pink gold due to its rosy pink hue, rose gold is created by adding copper to pure gold. The newest gold color option, rose gold, has become extremely popular in recent years.

Gold Karats

If you take your vintage estate jewelry to a jewelry repair store or places to sell gold jewelry, one of the first things they’ll do is assess the karat. Karat is the measurement of the purity of the gold, with 24 karat being 100 percent pure gold. Each karat represents 1/24 of the whole, so if your gold jewelry is 18/24 metal, then it is 18-karat gold. Generally, the higher the karat, the more valuable the jewelry.

• 14 Karat Gold: 14 karat gold contains 14 parts gold and 10 parts alloys. This equates to 58.3 percent gold. Although it’s less valuable than pure gold, the addition of alloys makes it extremely strong and durable, so it’s one of the most wearable types of gold.
• 18 Karat Gold: 18 karat gold contains 18 parts gold and six parts alloy, or 75 percent gold and 25 percent alloys. This makes a more luxurious option that still benefits from some strength of the alloys.
• 24 Karat Gold: 24 karat gold is 100 percent pure, undiluted gold. It is the purest form of gold available and, therefore, the most expensive. 24 karat gold is sometimes used for high-end jewelry, but because it’s so pure, it can sometimes be too soft for everyday wear. For this reason, it tends to be used more for investment bars and coins.

Gold Types

When shopping for gold jewelry, you’ll come across gold pieces that appear similar yet vary widely in price. This is in part due to the process used to make them, as this can greatly affect the quality of the piece.

• Gold Plated: The most affordable option of the bunch, gold-plated jewelry is made of a cheaper based metal such as brass or copper. This base metal is then covered in a thin layer of gold to give the appearance of gold jewelry. However, the actual amount of gold is typically less than 0.05 percent. Although low-cost, gold-plated jewelry will typically fade or tarnish over time and reveal the brass or copper color underneath.
• Gold-Filled: The next step up in quality, gold-filled jewelry is made by mechanically bonding a thick layer of gold to a base metal such as brass. Although it isn’t solid gold, gold-filled jewelry typically has more than 100 times more gold than gold-plated jewelry, making it more durable and less likely to fade or rub off.
• Gold Vermeil: Gold vermeil jewelry is made very similarly to gold-filled jewelry, but the base is sterling silver instead of a cheaper metal like brass. It is also made using an electroplating process versus gold-filled jewelry’s pressure and heat bonding process. As a result, it is higher quality and more long-lasting.
• Solid Gold: Solid gold jewelry is made with 100 percent gold and no base metal. As a result, solid gold is the most expensive and luxurious type of gold jewelry. Although it is made entirely of gold, it comes in various karats, so you can receive a solid gold jewelry piece that has a lower karat for enhanced durability that retains high quality.

If you’re looking for places to sell gold jewelry near you but don’t know where to start, the friendly team at Watch & Wares is here to help. We offer convenient and transparent appraisals that never come with any obligation to sell. Our offers are consistently some of the highest in Orange County, thanks to our team of experienced jewelry experts and certified gemologists. If you are looking for the best place to sell jewelry for cash, contact Watch & Wares online or give us a call at 714-633-2030 today.

When shopping for a diamond or having your diamond jewelry appraised in Orange, CA, there are many different aspects to consider, from size and color to clarity and cut. Each diamond shape has its own unique characteristics, and the way that a diamond is cut is one of the stone’s most important features. 

The cut of a diamond refers to the way a diamond has been cut, shaped, and polished to bring out its maximum brilliance. The cut of a diamond can affect its overall appearance, and the right cut can enhance the beauty of a stone. When shopping for diamonds or selling your diamond jewelry, it’s important to note not only the shape of the diamond but also the way each shape has been cut.

Depth & Table

When it comes to determining the best cut for each diamond shape, there are two key aspects to consider: depth and table.

The table refers to the largest facet of the diamond, typically found on the top surface of the stone. The table is calculated by dividing the width of the table by the width of the entire stone, producing a percentage that is typically between 50 and 70 percent.

The depth refers to the distance from the table to the bottom point of the diamond, also called the culet. This figure is then divided into the width of the stone, creating the final depth percentage measurement.

Cut Grade

In addition to depth and table, cut grade is also important when it comes to determining the best cut for a diamond. If a diamond is cut well, it can look beautiful and brilliant even with a slightly lower color and clarity grade. On the other hand, a poorly cut diamond may seem dull and lackluster even if it has excellent clarity and color ratings. To ensure that your diamond is as beautiful as possible, assessing its cut grade is essential.

Cut grade is essentially a measure of the diamond’s overall symmetry and proportion, and it is rated on a scale from Excellent to Poor. A diamond with an Excellent cut grade will have the best symmetry, proportion, and polish, resulting in the most brilliant sparkle and shine. Each diamond shape, however, is distinctive, so the ideal proportions will vary based on the shape you choose.

Round Cut Diamond

Round diamonds are one of the most sought-after shapes on the market, especially for engagement rings. Developed in the early 1900s by a mathematician, round diamonds have one of the most brilliant cuts available due to their 360-degree symmetry.

Round diamonds feature an astonishing 57 facets, allowing them to refract light and shine brilliantly more than any other diamond cut on the market. When searching for the best round diamond ring, look for one that has a table measurement of 54 to 57 percent and a depth of 60 to 63 percent for the ideal cut.

Princess Cut Diamond

The princess cut, originally called the Barion cut, was introduced in 1971. It has 90-degree corners that create a square or rectangular silhouette, making it a modern style beloved by contemporary brides.

Princess cuts offer similar brilliance to the timeless round cut, but their efficient manufacturing process makes them generally more affordable and easier to find. The most ideal princess-cut diamond is a perfect square with a table of 63 to 70 percent and a depth of 67 to 76 percent.

Heart Cut Diamond

Heart-cut diamonds are one of the most challenging to cut due to their unnatural shape and need for perfect symmetry. When searching for your ideal heart-cut diamond, make sure that it is a symmetrical shape with well-balanced lobes. Ensure the clef in the center is well-defined to avoid it looking like a triangular trilliant cut.

The most ideal proportions for a heart-cut diamond are a table measurement of 56 to 62 percent and a depth of 58 to 64 percent.

If you’re seeking the most beautiful and well-cut diamond jewelry possible, Watch & Wares is proud to offer one of the widest selections of diamond jewelry in the Orange, CA area. Whether you’re buying or selling diamonds, we have curated a team of expert jewelry appraisers and gemologists with decades of experience that will work to make your buying and selling experience truly luxurious. 

With over 30 years of business under our belts, Watch & Wares is a name you can trust when selling your diamond jewelry. We can also provide a collateral loan on diamonds, and we offer some of the best jewelry and loan values in the Orange, CA area. To find out more about our diamond and jewelry buying services or to receive a free diamond jewelry estimate, give us a call at 714-633-2030 or fill out our online contact form today. You can also stop by our Orange, CA location Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. We look forward to working with you!

Engagement rings often represent an important moment in a couple’s life, and their sentimental value is priceless. However, knowing what your ring is worth can help you determine if you have the right amount of insurance coverage or whether you should upgrade your ring. It can also help you receive a fair value if the engagement’s been broken off and you want to sell the ring.

Whatever your reason, if you’re interested in knowing what exactly your engagement ring is worth, there are a few key factors to consider before taking it for an appraisal at Orange, CA’s No. 1 place to sell gold jewelry.

Metal Band

First and foremost, the metal your ring is made of will affect its worth. Platinum engagement rings usually cost more than white or yellow gold, and increasingly popular rose gold may also be more expensive than its counterparts.

Keep in mind that the price of each metal will change daily depending on the current market price for an ounce of that material (also called the spot price). When selling your engagement ring to a gold and jewelry buyer, you can expect to receive about 80-90 percent of the current spot price.

Center Stone

The center stone is, of course, the most important part of the ring and typically accounts for 75-95 percent of the ring’s total value. When assessing the worth of an engagement ring, the center diamond’s carat, clarity and color will all be taken into account. 

For example, a one-carat diamond with a color rating of F (the rarest color) and a clarity rating of IF (internally flawless) may be worth more than a diamond of the same size with lower color and clarity ratings. If your engagement ring has grading documentation attesting to its value, this will help increase the price of your engagement ring by eliminating some of the risk on the buyer’s part.

Accent Stones

Accent stones are also important to the overall value of the ring. Whether you have several small accent diamonds, a halo around the center stone or a unique design, the number and type of stones used in the ring will be taken into consideration.

Accent diamonds are typically priced by weight alone rather than judged on the four C’s typical of larger diamonds. This is because the larger stones are rarer and more usable. Smaller accent stones tend to be priced at 100-300 dollars per carat unless their quality is notably low.

Brand & Design

The brand and design of the ring are also important. If your ring is from a well-known designer such as Tiffany & Co., it will likely be worth more than something from a strip mall jewelry store. This is because the designer’s pieces are more highly coveted and have a heritage to them that is likely to help them retain their value over time.

If your ring has a unique or intricate design, especially if it’s custom-made, this could also add to its overall worth, even if it isn’t a well-known brand. These engagement ring designs are typically worth more when sold directly to a private party, however, rather than to a gold and jewelry buyer in your local area.

If you want to know the actual value of your diamond engagement ring, Watch & Wares can help. Customer satisfaction is our top priority, so we always strive to create an in-store experience that makes you comfortable and confident in your decision to sell diamond jewelry. We consistently offer the most competitive prices in the area, and our customer service speaks for itself. To schedule a free diamond jewelry appraisal or for any inquiries regarding sales, give us a call at (714) 633-2030 or fill out our online contact form today. You can also stop by our Orange, CA location Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. We look forward to working with you!

Jewelry is a significant investment for many Orange, CA residents – when you purchase a piece of fine jewelry, you want the peace of mind that it can be resold for a significant portion of its original retail price. While no one wants to have to worry about recouping money spent, if you find yourself needing to get cash for gold jewelry at a moment’s notice, these five luxury jewelry brands carry the highest resale value.

1. Cartier

Founded in 1847, Cartier is one of the most well-known names in fine jewelry. Since being founded by Louis-Francois Cartier in Paris almost 200 years ago, Cartier has become synonymous with luxury, being lauded by celebrities and royalty alike. In fact, England’s King Edward VII labeled Cartier as “the jeweler of kings and the king of jewelers.”

While many of Cartier’s pieces have a high resale value today, their most popular and in-demand styles of present-day include their Love bracelet, introduced in the 1970s, and their Just Un Clou collection. If you want a designer piece that looks infinitely timeless and will retain value for decades to come, Cartier is one of the safest and most attractive options in the world of fine jewelry.

2. Van Cleef & Arpels

Although timeless and beloved since its founding in 1906, Van Cleef & Arpels is having a renaissance, and those buying fine jewelry in 2023 would be wise to purchase a signature Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra style. Faithful to the first Alhambra jewel created in 1968, this style is both modern and on-trend while remaining classic for decades.

Further, online luxury consignment giant The Real Real found that Van Cleef & Arpels jewelry held its value the best of any other fine jewelry brand, retaining 74 percent of its original value on average with a 5 percent increase year over year. 

3. Tiffany & Co.

Tiffany & Co. is arguably the No. 1 most recognizable name in fine jewelry, and this has undeniably helped the brand remain in demand for almost two centuries. Founded in 1837, Tiffany & Co. is most famous for its diamond jewelry, especially engagement rings, and can even be recognized by its signature teal blue color, “Tiffany blue.”

Whether you’re an avid Audrey Hepburn fan or want to ensure that your engagement ring retains resale value, Tiffany & Co. is one of the most powerful forces in secondhand fine jewelry, thanks to its brand recognition.

4. David Yurman

If you’re seeking something more modern for your next jewelry piece, David Yurman is one of the youngest jewelry brands to carry a consistently high resale value. Founded in 1980, David Yurman is a name that is undeniably recognizable among modern consumers, and their signature cable bracelet quickly secured its place as a fine jewelry icon in less than 30 years.

Known for their unique, artisanal designs, David Yurman jewelry can fetch top prices among collectors and casual jewelry fans alike. While their highest secondhand sale prices don’t match the likes of Tiffany & Co. or Cartier, their average resale value is consistently among the top-ranked.

5. Harry Winston

Harry Winston founded his eponymous brand in 1920 and opened his first boutique in New York in 1932. Harry Winston is often referred to as “the ultimate jeweler” or “the king of diamonds,” indicative of the brand’s high value on the secondhand market. 

The first jeweler to loan out their pieces to an actress for the Academy Awards, Harry Winston is synonymous with Hollywood glamour and luxury. Known for unique gemstones, stunning diamonds, and meticulously detailed designs, Harry Winston estate jewelry is timeless and highly coveted, especially if it’s from an old Hollywood time period.

If you’re an Orange, CA resident with estate jewelry from one of these valuable fine jewelry brands and you’re looking for the best place to sell gold jewelry for cash, bring your estate jewelry into Watch & Wares today. Our friendly and knowledgeable team members are always happy to assist you with whatever jewelry services you need, including estate jewelry appraisal. We have served the Orange County area for more than 30 years, so you can always trust us to consistently offer fair and competitive values in a comfortable setting with exceptional customer service. To schedule an appraisal for your estate jewelry or to inquire about jewelry lending, give us a call at (714) 633-2030 or fill out our online contact form today. We look forward to working with you!