Selling Estate Jewelry Pieces Step by Step
Feb 13, 2023
{
"Title": "Step-by-Step Guide to Selling Estate Jewelry: Gold, Silver, and Mixed Pieces",
"Date": "02/13/23",
"Content": "
Practical Guide for Handling Estate Jewelry
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Inheriting estate jewelry can bring both sentimental and financial considerations. If you are faced with sorting through gold rings, silver flatware, dental gold, old coins, or mixed pieces of jewelry, the process can feel overwhelming. This guide walks you step by step through how to identify, sort, prepare, ship, and get paid for unwanted precious metals in an organized, trustworthy way—without needing to be an expert jeweler.
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Step 1: Identify Precious Metals
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Start by separating pieces into categories. The first task is determining which items contain real gold or silver, since costume jewelry or plated items bring little or no melt value. Look for the following clues:
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Gold Identification
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Karat stamps: Common marks include 10K, 14K, 18K, 22K, and 24K. The number reflects purity—24K is nearly pure gold, while 10K is about 41% gold.
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European marks: 375 (10K), 585 (14K), 750 (18K), 916 (22K), and 999 (24K).
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Magnet test: Gold is not magnetic. If a piece sticks strongly to a magnet, it is not solid gold. However, lack of attraction does not guarantee purity; additional testing is needed.
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Visual wear: Check for fading or chipping of surface color which may indicate gold-plating rather than solid gold.
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Silver Identification
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Hallmarks: Look for “925,” “Sterling,” “Ster” or “.925,” which indicates 92.5% silver.
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Coin silver: Older U.S. coins made before 1965 often contain 90% silver. See the U.S. Mint coin composition chart for details.
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Magnet test: Like gold, silver is not magnetic. Attraction may suggest plating over base metals.
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Dental Gold
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Dental gold comes in crowns, bridges, or partials. It is usually alloyed (often 10K to 18K equivalent) for strength. Remove porcelain or steel parts only if easy and safe; otherwise, pack intact. Small fragments should be bagged together so they aren’t lost.
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Step 2: Sort and Prepare
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Group items by type and karat when possible (e.g., all 10K rings together, sterling flatware separate).
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Keep sterling silver knives, forks, and spoons bundled or rubber-banded with clear labels.
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Remove non-metal parts like cords or leather straps only if safe; otherwise leave them as is.
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Put very small items like charms or fragments in small plastic bags and label them.
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Step 3: Weigh Your Jewelry
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To get a rough idea of value, weigh your items in grams using a small digital kitchen or jewelry scale (NIST resource on measurements). Value is primarily based on weight and purity. Remember:
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Melt value: Formula of gold/silver spot price x weight x purity.
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Offer value: Buyers often pay slightly below melt to cover refining and handling costs.
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Stones typically add little unless they are high-quality diamonds or gems. Assume payouts are mostly for the precious metal content.
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Step 4: Understand Testing Methods
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Reputable buyers will test your metals for purity. Methods include:
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Acid test: Small scratch on a test stone with acid drop reaction.
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Electronic tester: Uses calibrated sensors to detect karat levels.
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X-ray fluorescence (XRF): Non-destructive scan often used by refiners.
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You should receive a clear explanation of results, so you know what was tested and why.
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Step 5: Prepare for Secure Mailing
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A mail-in process provides a single organized way to handle everything at once, especially when using estate lots with mixed gold and silver. Steps include:
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Request a mailer kit: Choose a secure, tracked, and insured package suitable for your items.
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Photograph and record: Take photos, note weights and descriptions for your records.
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Pack carefully: Use small bags for groups, cushion fragile pieces, and seal everything inside a sturdy box or USPS Flat Rate envelope.
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Ship with tracking: Options include USPS Registered Mail with insurance, or tracked FedEx services. Always keep your receipt and tracking number.
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Step 6: Get a Quote and Payment
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Once received, items are tested and valued. For reference, some services like International Gold & Silver provide a simple online quote process, clear reporting, and insured shipping. Payout is typically based on accurate weight and purity measurements.
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Payment Options
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PayPal or Venmo: Fast, convenient, but may have small transfer fees.
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Zelle: Instant to linked bank accounts, often with no fees but subject to bank limits.
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Cash App: Quick for small amounts, linked to cards or accounts.
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ACH or Bank Wire: Direct, secure transfer for larger sums; may take 1–2 business days.
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Checks: Traditional option, though slower and requires banking.
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Step 7: Documentation and Records
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For estate settlements, clear documentation is important. Keep:
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Photos of items before shipping
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Weight notes and descriptions
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Copies of shipping labels and receipts
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Final settlement statement or check stub
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You may also use simple tools like GavelBase to keep itemized records if you’re handling multiple lots or estate distributions.
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Quick Checklist
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✔ Identify gold and silver with stamps and simple tests
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✔ Separate real metals from costume jewelry
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✔ Weigh in grams for rough value estimate
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✔ Bag and label items for easy sorting
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✔ Photograph and track details before mailing
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✔ Use insured shipping with tracking
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✔ Choose preferred secure payment method
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FAQs
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How can I tell if my jewelry is plated?
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If you see wear exposing a different-colored base metal, or if the piece is unusually light for its size, it may be gold- or silver-plated. Acid or electronic testing confirms this.
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What is dental gold really worth?
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Dental gold is generally 10K–18K in purity but always alloyed. Melt value is based strictly on its gold content and weight after non-metal is removed.
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What about sterling flatware with stainless knife blades?
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Handles are often sterling while blades are stainless steel. Keep them together, but note mixed materials for accurate testing and valuation.
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Can I track my package?
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Yes. Always use a trackable service like USPS Registered or Priority Mail with insurance, retaining your tracking number to monitor delivery.
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How fast do payments arrive?
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Electronic methods like Zelle, PayPal, and Venmo are