Is It Okay to Sell Inherited Jewelry?

Handing down jewelry between generations is common among families. Family members take pride in passing down jewelry and for the recipient, there is a feeling of pride that you were the trusted one to hold onto that item.

Sometimes, though, you may not feel tied to the jewelry item you inherited. And when it comes time to declutter your jewelry box, you may begin to struggle with whether you should let go of that piece. That is especially true if you simply inherited an item because there was no one else in the family to receive it, or if it is a reminder of a relationship gone wrong.

The emotions you are feeling are normal though. Selling inherited jewelry is an emotional decision, but it is an okay decision! Every item holds a different meaning to you and every person is different, so if you are okay with letting go of an inherited jewelry item, then it is okay to sell it.

If you are ready to sell your inherited jewelry, follow the steps below to ensure it ends up in trustworthy hands.

Sort through your jewelry items

You’ll first want to gather all your inherited jewelry and look at each piece of jewelry as an individual item. If you have many items, you can organize them by jewelry type (i.e., rings, bracelets, necklaces, etc.).

Assess what is sentimental

Now that you have all your inherited jewelry spread out, you’ll want to systematically go through each item and determine whether it is sentimental to you, or whether you are okay selling it. You’ll want to pay attention to how each piece makes you feel, not how it made your family member feel. If it’s something that could never replace the feeling you have and you’ll regret selling it, then hold onto it.

Gather your documents

If the piece you want to sell was inherited between generations, you may have some documentation highlighting its authenticity and worth. You’ll want to have these handy when you head to a jeweler for the appraisal. Visit “5 Elements Every Jewelry Appraisal Should Contain” for more information on what to look for when getting your jewelry appraised.

Prep for sale

Before bringing your inherited jewelry to a jeweler for sale, you’ll want to ensure all your ducks are in a row. After you gather any documents, you’ll want to conduct some research so that you have a general idea of each item’s worth. Once you do that, you’ll want to prep your jewelry for sale.  Check to see if your jewelry can be gently cleaned.  If it’s a delicate item or you are unsure how to safely clean it, skip this step.

Find a reputable Buyer

Websites like eBay and Etsy may seem like a fitting marketplace but be cautious when selling on these do-it-yourself sites. These types of websites are typically driven by the buyer and oftentimes you won’t receive true market value for your item, not to mention the possibility of falling victim to savvy scammers. Instead, look for a jewelry buyer who is knowledgeable in antique, estate, and vintage pieces. You want to find a jeweler with a great reputation, not a pawn shop or small kiosk in a mall. When the jeweler conducts the appraisal, they will verify the carat weight and the quality of the metals to determine the purchase price.

Now, if during the first step, or along the way, you decided you aren’t ready to sell your inherited jewelry forever, there are other options you can explore. There may be another family member who may want the item instead, or maybe you can hand the item down to your children one day to keep the tradition going. Or, if you don’t wear the inherited piece because it is not your style, you could always explore having it repurposed into another jewelry item that you would wear.

Whatever you decide with your inherited pieces, you can trust that you’ll be in good hands with Diamond Buyers. Our team understands how personal this decision is and we will always be an understanding partner to you.

If you want to learn more about our process, or about an inherited jewelry item that is on your mind, get in touch with our team. We’d be happy to chat and answer any questions you may have.