People can inherit jewelry for a variety of reasons. It may be a favored keepsake, a way to preserve family heirlooms, or even a gift intended to help in times ahead. However, if you’re hoping to sell recently inherited jewelry, it is critical to know exactly how much it is worth. Multiple aspects of a piece of jewelry, such as its manufacturer and the metals used in its creation, can affect its value. Getting jewelry appraised by a trustworthy source in Orange, however, can be difficult if you don’t know where to go.

It takes more than just going to a jewelry store, as almost anyone can claim to be an appraiser. There are no federal or state licensing requirements to appraise jewelry, and simply working in a jewelry store isn’t necessarily an adequate qualification. Most retailers don’t even have the equipment to properly inspect a gemstone and determine its quality. There are industry groups that require members to meet certain qualifications and adhere to a code of ethics, however. Organizations such as the Accredited Gemologists Association, the American Gem Society, Appraisers Association of America Inc, and others adhere to a shared set of standards for appraisal services. Additionally, the appraiser should be a graduate of the Gemological Institute of America, which ensures that they are qualified to identify and grade gem materials. Appraisers also need to be knowledgeable about the current jewelry market to be able to competently appraise estate jewelry. Fortunately, Watch and Wares employs qualified gemologists certified by the GIA, enabling us to fulfill your appraisal needs. 

When properly done, an appraisal should clearly state its purpose, such as estate distribution. It should clearly define and specify the type of value being provided, such as replacement cost, market value, et cetera. It should also specify the date of the appraisal, state any circumstances limiting the performance of the appraisal, describe and depict the jewelry appraised, explain the procedures used to arrive at a value, be signed by the appraiser, and include their contact information. 

Above all, it is important to remember that jewelry value is not a set number. It changes depending on the marketplace, global precious metal and gemstone prices, and the current styles and trends. A necklace worth $1,000 in Los Angeles in 2015 might be only $800 in New York City a year later. 

There are four major standards when it comes to jewelry appraisal:

• Replacement value: How much it would cost to outright replace the appraised jewelry item with a new one. It is not the value of the jewelry itself, but how much a new item like the piece would cost.
• Estate retail value: How much an item would sell to someone purchasing used jewelry, with “estate” in this context meaning pre-owned or used. A used piece of jewelry will usually be worth less to the general public than something brand new, barring rare or highly sought-after pieces.
• Estate wholesale value: This is the price that a business that sells used jewelry is willing to pay for the item. This will be lower than the retail value because the buyer has to add the cost of business to sell an item and still turn a profit on the sale.
• Intrinsic value: The worth of the raw materials in the jewelry item, such as the metals and gemstones. This is dependent on current market values for said metals and gems, and no value is added for style, condition, brand, market demand, or other factors.

At Watch and Wares, we work to give you a value rate that is not only fair and competitive but also recognizes your emotional attachment to the jewelry in question. We realize that the items people bring to us are often of deeply sentimental value, and in some cases, they are the only mementos they have of their loved ones. We always strive to respect that emotional attachment, both in how we treat our clients and in the rates we offer for the jewelry they bring to us. Additionally, all of our appraisals are obligation-free, meaning you don’t have to sell to us if you ultimately choose not to.

If you live in Orange and would like to get your estate jewelry appraised, consider paying Watch & Wares a visit. Our qualified gemologist can offer an honest and fair estimate for free, and with over twenty-five years of experience serving the Orange County area, we are the best place to sell your fine jewelry. If you’d like to learn more about appraisals or schedule an appointment, call us today at (714) 633-2030.

Watch & Wares is known throughout Irvine and the surrounding Orange County area for buying and selling luxury goods, from Rolex watches to designer handbags. However, we also offer top-of-the-line watch repair, jewelry repair, and handbag restoration services. Our unrivaled craftsmanship and decades of experience make us the jeweler that other jewelers and repair services come to for help. With state-of-the-art tools and equipment, we have the ability to fully repair and restore any of your luxury goods so they’ll look as good as new. 

Watch Repair

No matter how high-end your luxury watch is, it will need to be serviced or repaired eventually. Whether you need your battery replaced or you need extensive repair services, Watch & Wares can handle it all. We’ve serviced and repaired thousands of watches over the last 30 years in business, and we’ve become a trusted source of Rolex watch repair for the local community. Our services include battery replacement, polishing & detailing, full cleaning, new gaskets, and water testing. From antique pocket watches to modern Rolexes, you can trust Watch & Wares to repair and restore your luxury watches to the highest standard.

Jewelry Repair

Watch & Wares offer premier fine jewelry repair that you can trust. Our master jewelry has over 35 years of experience with fine jewelry repair, and he’s the man that other jewelers go to for the answers. Whether it’s creating custom pieces or repairing an antique heirloom, we can realize your vision for any fine jewelry piece. We specialize in vintage jewelry repair, contemporary jewelry repair, jewelry polishing & detailing, and custom jewelry creations. Have your diamond jewelry sparkle like never before with our superior craftsmanship and meticulous attention to detail. We guarantee a perfect result, with flawless quality over our jewelry repair competitors.

Handbag Spa

A designer handbag often becomes your constant companion, going with you wherever you travel. When you use your luxury handbag regularly, it will inevitably begin to show signs of typical wear and tear. When you notice your luxury handbag looking noticeably more worn than the day you bought it, bring it into Watch & Wares for a day at our handbag spa! Our handbag spa restoration services include cleaning, moisturizing, stain protection, edgewear restoration, color touch-up, odor removal, and more. A designer handbag is an investment that requires care and upkeep to ensure that it retains its value for years to come. Whether you have a vintage Chanel or a contemporary Gucci bag, Watch & Wares’ handbag spa services can restore any luxury bag.

Here at Watch & Wares, our team of trained professionals has been performing watch, jewelry, and handbag repair services for decades. We understand luxury, and we always strive to provide the best service in the Irvine area and throughout all of Southern California. We’re confident that 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, stop by one of our Orange County locations or give us a call at (714) 633-2030 today.

The holidays can be a particularly expensive season for Orange residents between buying presents for loved ones and throwing parties for family and friends. When Christmastime rolls around, it’s never a bad thing to have some extra cash on hand. Here at Watch & Wares, we purchase diamond and gold jewelry at highly competitive rates and give you same-day cash for your luxury goods. If you’re seeking some extra holiday cash and you have neglected gold jewelry you’re willing to sell, stop by Watch & Wares in Orange.

Before You Visit

Before you visit any jewelry buyer, you should know which pieces you’re going to sell and what they’re worth. Untrustworthy buyers may try to offer a value far under what your gold jewelry is truly worth in order to get as high a profit margin as possible. Although gold jewelry buyers will always offer slightly under market price due to the expense of reselling, you should always receive a fair value for your luxury item. Do research before visiting and determine what the resale value of your piece is. Speak to a third party with no financial interest in order to gain an objective and fair evaluation of your jewelry. Knowing this value going into the gold buyer’s shop will help you ensure that you’re receiving an offer you’re comfortable with when you sell jewelry.

The Appraisal Process

During the appraisal process, every step should be made transparent. When appraising gold jewelry, there are three factors that are taken into consideration to calculate the value of the gold: the weight of the gold in troy ounces, the purity of the gold in karats, and the current gold spot price. One of our expert team members will take time to measure these factors and determine the current market value of your item. All of our scales are certified by Orange County Field of Weight & Measure to ensure that all measurements are accurate to the industry standard, so you can rest assured that you’re receiving the fairest offer possible.

Why Watch & Wares?

Here at Watch & Wares, we always strive to make the selling experience as pleasant and comfortable as possible. Our offers never come with any obligation or pressure to sell, and we always offer you fair and competitive prices. Our team members will work with you one-on-one to appraise your item and provide a fair value with no obligation. Our team has decades of experience in the fine jewelry industry and is highly trained to provide exceptional customer service every time. 

If you’re ready to sell gold jewelry for extra cash this holiday season, stop by Watch & Wares and speak to a team member. We’ll appraise your pieces and offer you some of the most competitive prices in the area. We’ve served the city of Orange for more than 25 years, so residents know that they can trust us for fair prices and exceptional customer service. If you’d like to find out more about selling jewelry or make an appointment, give us a call at (714) 633-2030 today. Walk-ins are also welcome!

Although you always try your best to be organized and on budget, sometimes unanticipated expenses can arise that you aren’t financially prepared for. When you’re in a pinch and need cash quickly, getting a loan from the bank isn’t always a viable option. This endeavor can be made even more difficult, or even impossible, if you have a low credit score at the time. In trying times like these, Tustin and Irvine residents know that Watch & Wares is an excellent solution for getting cash quickly without any judgment. Selling or loaning your valuables will allow you to get the cash you need without affecting your credit score or becoming beholden to your bank. But which is the best option for you: pawning or selling? Here are a few factors to consider when debating whether to sell or loan your valuable jewelry for cash.

Why You Should Loan

If your jewelry has sentimental value and you don’t want to permanently part with it, a pawn loan is a great option. The biggest benefit to pawning rather than selling is the ability to get your item back in the end. With a Watch & Wares loan plan, you have four months to fully repay the loan; once you’ve done so, you’ll receive your item back in the same condition it was given to us. You also have the option to renew your loan by paying off the interest, allowing you more time to find the money and more opportunity to reclaim your item. 

Another benefit of pawn loans is that your credit score is never affected. If you miss a payment or default on your loan, you don’t need to worry about your credit score dropping. If you fail to repay the loan, we simply keep your jewelry as repayment and the exchange is finalized. Unlike a bank loan, loans through Watch & Wares are a quick process that aren’t dependent on your past financial records and won’t affect your future financial records in any way.

Why You Should Sell

Pawnshops don’t exclusively deal with pawn loans; they also buy and sell jewelry and other valuable items. Watch & Wares is a full-service jewelry store with a wide selection of fine jewelry that you won’t find anywhere else. If you’re seeking quick cash but no longer need your item or don’t want to have to worry about a repayment plan, selling is a good way to go. The main benefit of selling is that you’ll receive a much higher value for your item compared to pawn loans. When stores accept jewelry loans, they have to consider the possibility that the customer will default on their loan and not return for their item. This risk of losing out on cash as well as interest is what causes pawnshops to offer a lower value for jewelry that is loaned versus jewelry that is being sold. If you want as much money as possible from the transaction, selling your item outright will guarantee you a higher value. 

Another benefit of selling is the convenience and lack of hassle. If you don’t need any of the items anymore, why pawn them and have to worry about repayment? Selling your items outright means that you won’t have to worry about payment plans, interest, or defaulting on the loan. Bring your unwanted jewelry in for a one-time transaction, and leave with the cash the same day! 

If you’re an Irvine resident looking for a way to get cash fast, or if you have unwanted jewelry pieces that you’re looking to sell, bring your valuables into Watch & Wares Tustin. Our friendly and knowledgeable team members are always happy to assist you with whatever jewelry services you need. We have served the Orange County area for more than 25 years, so you can always trust us to consistently offer fair and competitive values in a comfortable setting with exceptional customer service.