By Debbie Gardner
debbieg@thereminder.com
When it comes to jewelry and heirlooms, Steven Weber knows what he’s talking about. Operations Manager for Gold Trader and The Diamond Shopin Springfield, MA., he’s been involved in jewelry for over 35 years, and served as team leader at Gold Trader since day one. Like all of the staff, Weber is a Western MA native and as such, feels a strong obligation to deliver the absolute best in value and service to our customers.
“When people come to our store, it’s our mission to treat them exactly the same way we’d want to be treated if we were on the other side of the counter,” said Weber.
Prime tapped his expertise on how to value those collections, and the best way to deal with heirlooms when downsizing. Here are his tips:
Q: At a certain age, we all have collections of jewelry and similar items. What’s the best way to determine which collections or items might have value?
“I think everyone can relate to the thought that we think everything we own has tremendous value! In many cases, though, sentimental value far outweighs actual value. But that doesn’t mean that items are, dollar-wise, valueless. Jewelry is a great example. If you’re like me, you may have purchased a gold chain in the late 1970s and paid what was, at that time, the going retail rate. The intrinsic value of gold has gone up so much in the last 40 years that the gold value of the chain, taken strictly as a scrap item, may very well be equal to the amount you paid for it. I certainly can’t say that for the silk shirt that went along with it!
“Never underestimate the value of an expert opinion (other than your own!). The internet has made life great in so many ways, but it can be, as we know, often filled with misinformation and incomplete information, leading people to have false expectations about value. There is more than one site that will tell you to pack up your stuff and send it to them and they’ll give you a quote. Yeah. We like to use a simple rule of thumb: no one person can know everything about everything. Although we have a great amount of knowledge at Gold Trader, we bring in other experts to assist in areas outside our core strengths.”
Q: Downsizing or moving often means parting with some long-treasured items or collections. What are some good strategies to do this?
“First and foremost, decide what’s important to you. Transitioning in our later years can be an activity based on personal choice or, sadly, diminishing health. Day after day, we have people bringing us boxes of ‘stuff’ declaring that they are selling the house and moving to North Carolina (or some other place that makes us jealous!). Jewelry, sterling flatware, silverplate, and more... ‘everything goes … we’re taking nothing with us!’, they state. ‘After all, who wants to polish silver? Not me! And certainly not my kids.’ That’s true and certainly one way to handle it! Other people have culled out items for which cash can never replicate the sentimental value of a particular brooch or ring. Being a minimalist in our older years isn’t a bad thing … but we don’t have to erase history to get there.
“If you’re transitioning to an assisted living facility you probably don’t have much choice.
A couple of treasured items may be all you’re able to take with you. Perhaps other family members may want some items. Or, it’s possible that the monetary value that a reputable appraiser such as Gold Trader can offer might help to offset upcoming expenses. Another very realtransition in this day and age is a second marriage. One of the most common practices we’ve seen in our store if for customers to bring in the jewelry from their first marriage and trade it in towards their new engagement ring and bands. That clears the decks, so to speak, and makes room for new memories to accumulate.”
Q: If someone is planning a tag or estate sale, or just cleaning things out, what tips can you offer?
“If you’ve seen our commercials, our standard statement is ‘Don’t Guess!’. I can tell you that we’ve had reports from people who have gone into stores like Savers and Goodwill and have found genuine sterling silver and gold items thrown in with the costume jewelry or silverplated trays and flatware. How did that get there? Someone donated it thinking it had no value. Before you donate, or before you accidentally put a valuable piece of jewelry in your yard or estate sale for $5, bring it in to a reputable appraiser such as Gold Trader. Many such businesses will evaluate your items at no charge, and some, Gold Trader included, will make house calls or arrange for a specialist to give you an expert evaluation before you decide how to dispose of your things.”
