Jewelry Guides & Expertise
Thirty years at the bench, poured into plain-English guides — so you can buy, sell and care for fine jewelry with confidence.
All Guides
The Estate Jewelry Collection
Every piece we have, with prices — rings, bracelets, earrings, watches. See the collection →
Estate Jewelry vs. New
Where the retail price of a new piece actually goes, and what each side really buys you. Read the guide →
Buying Estate Jewelry Online Safely
Five questions to ask any seller, the red flags, and how the four buying channels compare. Read the guide →
Vintage & Pre-Owned Watches
What is available, and the six checks before you buy any used watch. See the watches →
Vintage & Estate Engagement Rings
Eras, old cuts and seven checks before you buy. Read the guide →
Jewelry Care & Cleaning
Clean, store and check safely — and what never to do. Read the guide →
What Is Estate Jewelry?
Estate vs. vintage vs. antique — and why pre-owned is the smart way to buy. Read the guide →
Jewelry Eras: Georgian to Mid-Century
How to place a piece in time — motifs, metals and what collectors pay for. Read the guide →
Jewelry Hallmarks Explained
585, 750, 925, PLAT — read the tiny stamps and spot the fakes. Read the guide →
Jewelry Glossary
Pavé, vermeil, old mine cut — the trade’s language in plain English. Read the guide →
Gold Karats Explained
10K vs. 14K vs. 18K — purity, durability and value. Read the guide →
Platinum vs. White Gold
Two white metals, very different personalities — which is right for you. Read the guide →
Diamond Buying Guide
The 4 Cs without the sales pitch — how to buy smart. Read the guide →
Colored Gemstone Guide
Sapphires, rubies, emeralds — what drives beauty and price. Read the guide →
Diamonds Without a Certificate
Most estate diamonds have no lab report — when that matters and what to ask instead. Read the guide →
Coral, Turquoise, Opal & Pearl
The soft and organic gems — hardness, treatments, price and care. Read the guide →
Designer & Signed Jewelry
Cartier, Tiffany, David Webb — why a signature multiplies value. Read the guide →
Vintage Watch Buying Guide
Authentication, condition and value in pre-owned watches. Read the guide →
How Much Is My Jewelry Worth?
Insurance, resale, melt — the four values every piece has. Read the guide →
If a Piece Is Lost or Stolen
How a jewelry insurance claim is settled — and the paperwork that decides the number. Read the guide →
Jewelry Appraisals
Written appraisals by mail, nationwide — process and pricing. Read the guide →
Authenticity & Trust
How we verify what we sell — and what we appraise. Read the guide →
Prefer a Straight Answer?
Skip the reading — send photos of your piece and we’ll tell you what it is and what it’s worth, in writing. Since 1996.