In tough times, jewelry lovers look for help when it comes to cashing out on coveted stones.
"Doing your research is important," says Kathleen Doyle, president of the global auction house, Doyle New York. "Understanding comparison shopping, going to retail businesses for instance. We sell many items that are name-brand items from designers such as Tiffany, Van Cleef and Arpell, Cartier, David Webb. If someone goes to those businesses and does their research by looking at what these items are selling for if they're available it will give them a general idea of what these items are being sold for at auction."
Doyle says auction companies like hers might bring in the fairest price for consignments and sometimes even outright purchase.
"We are both out there to really achieve the greatest price possible for the consignor so that it's a win-win situation for everybody." Doyle New York publishes seasonal catalogs and has established has strong presence online.
The Web is also home to Circa, another re-sale buyer with offices across the U.S. and abroad. The company's president and CEO, Chris Del Gatto, cautions jewelry lovers from letting their bracelets and baubles sit around in safety deposit boxes.
"Jewelry truly is a liability if you're not wearing it," says Del Gatto. "Jewelry is bought to be worn, it's an adornment. It's not an investment."
When it comes to staying in the market when many retailers are floundering, Del Gatto credits his personal relationship with international buyers, but recommends checking multiple sources when looking for a piece's value.
"Ultimately an item is worth what someone is willing to pay for it,"says De Gatto. "And it's never a bad thing to get two or three actual quotes for a check, not for consignment, not for appraised value, but what would you actually write me a check for today and that really separates kind of the weak from the chafe on what an item is really worth."
Kathleen Doyle agrees, shopping around and relying on a number of experts, is the best way to go.
"Often times," says Doyle, "people think that their items are better than they actually are and other times, they don't know that they are worth as much as they are."
Post a Comment