What the Antique Dealer Doesn’t Want You? Know from Our Experts

Posted on 23rd January 2020

in Antique Jewelry

by Alan

When you’re considering selling your antique gold and silver, you probably do a little bit of research to learn more about the market and the pieces you have. It’s great to be informed, but not every antique dealer would agree. Some try to keep a few little secrets from their customers. If you’re going to be dealing with antique jewelry buyers, you can get the upper hand by knowing a few of these trade secrets they’d prefer you not to know.

The Price Isn’t Always the Price

Antiques are one of those areas where the dealer often has a little bit of wiggle room in the price. When determining antique jewelry value, dealers generally add a percentage to what they paid so they can make a profit. In some cases, they will drop that percentage if they’re selling to another dealer or to one of their loyal customers. If you haven’t bought from a particular dealer before, you may still be able to get the piece at a discount, but you have to be polite about it. Instead of making an offer, as if there’s any room to negotiate the price. In some cases, the dealer may say yes. In other cases, that may not be the case.

Very Few Appraisers Are Actually Trained

Sure, a dealer may say that they will appraise your jewelry for you, but in many cases, they don’t really have any professional training. Even the various appraiser associations don’t have any kind of standardized testing for credentials. Only around ten percent of dealers are actually trained appraisers, so keep that in mind when you ask for someone to assess the value of a piece. If you want the opinion of someone who is more likely to know antique jewelry worth, go to someone certified by the American Society of Appraisers. They do require members to take a test in appraising specific areas in order to get certified.

Antique Verses Collectible

Many dealers throw around the word “antique” without actually using it correctly. Antiques are, by strict definition, 100 years old or older. That means items from the 1950s aren’t yet antiques. Many people simply assume anything that’s old is an antique, while it’s really more of a collectible. Keep in mind that even if you’re buying something that’s old, it’s not necessarily antique and may not be worth what you’re about to pay for it.

Dealers Often Don’t Know Everything

Even if you’ve found the best place to sell jewelry, that dealer likely isn’t going to know an antique rug from one bought on sale at the department store down the street. Just as “antique” doesn’t always mean antique, it’s also such a broad term that anything from a necklace to a tea set to a shovel can fall into the category. Make sure the dealer you’re working with knows the type of antique you want. Many dealers do specialize, so it’s important to find one you know will be able to spot a fake before you buy from them.