You have some old jewelry lying around, but you’re not sure what it’s worth?

Jewelry collecting has grown in popularity in recent years. In a recent study, the jewelry market will reach $27.19 billion by the year 2026. If you’ve got a few old jewelry pieces lying around at home, chances are they might be worth something.

In this blog, we will give you the information you need.

Read on to learn more about how to find out your old jewelry worth money.

Look for Hallmarks

Hallmarks are stamps that indicate the quality of precious elements jewelry & coin. If you see a hallmarked piece of jewelry, it means that it’s tested for purity and made of a certain type of metal.

14k Hallmark

When you are sorting through your old jewelry, it can be difficult to tell if any of it is worth anything. However, if you pay close attention to the hallmark of each piece, you can get a better idea of its value.

The 14k Hallmark is a symbol that indicates that they made the piece with 14 karat gold. This means that it is 58% gold and 42% alloy, and they considered it a good quality. If you see this mark on a piece of jewelry, it is likely worth more than lower-quality pieces.

18k Hallmark

How do you know if a piece of jewelry is 18 karat? The easiest way to tell is by looking for a mark on the piece that indicates the karat. For example, they mark 18K gold as “18K” or “18KP.”

If there’s no mark, you can try the acid test: scratch the jewelry on a surface that won’t be damaged, then apply a drop of nitric acid. 18K gold will turn greenish-blue.

24k Hallmark

To determine whether a piece of jewelry is 24 karat, look for the “24k” Hallmark. This indicates that they made a piece of gold that is at least 99.9% pure.

24-karat gold is the highest purity that gold can be. It is soft and easily damaged, so it is not often used in jewelry. Pieces that are 24 karats are typically more expensive than other gold jewelry.

Silver

Look for a stamp on the piece that says “sterling”. This is a mark that indicates they made the jewelry of sterling silver, which is 92.5 percent silver and 7.5 percent copper.

Another way to tell if a piece is silver is to look for a slight reddish or yellowish tinge. This is due to the copper content in sterling silver jewelry. Finally, silver is a relatively soft metal, so if the piece of jewelry is very bendable, it is likely made of silver.

Platinum

Inspect the metal for any tarnish. Platinum is a very strong metal and does not tarnish easily. If there is any tarnish present, it is likely not platinum.

Look for a stamp on the metal. They typically stamp platinum with a “Pt” or “950” to indicate its purity. Platinum is a very dense metal, so it will feel heavier than other metals such as gold or silver.

Know the Weight

Simply bring your jewelry to a professional jeweler and ask them to weigh it. They will then give you an estimate based on the current market value of gold. If your jewelry is silver, you can use a silver purity test kit to determine its purity and value.

The weight of the metal can give you a good idea of how much it’s worth, but keep in mind that other factors like the type of metal, the purity of the metal, and the age of the piece can also affect the value.

Check the Prongs

If the prongs are worn down or broken, the jewelry is likely not worth much. Even if the prongs are in good condition, the jewelry may still not be worth much if it’s not made of precious metals like old gold jewelry or silver.

Also, check for any damage to the setting or stones. If the setting is cracked or the stones are loose, the value of the jewelry will be reduced.

Consult Appraisal Services

There are appraisal services that you can consult to get an expert opinion. These services will give you an estimate of the value of your jewelry based on its current condition, age, and any historical factors that may be relevant.

Appraisal services can be found online or through directories of local businesses. Many appraisal services will give you a free estimate of what your jewelry is worth, and they will also be able to tell you the best way to sell old jewelry if you decide you want to.

It is essential to get an estimate from a few different appraisal services to get a general idea of the value of your jewelry.

In addition to consulting an appraisal service, you can also do your research on the value of your vintage jewelry by looking up similar pieces online or in jewelry reference books.

Check Online Auction Sites

You can search for similar items to see what they have sold in the past. You can also research the piece to see if it is a valuable antique. This can give you a sense of what similar pieces are selling for and help you determine if your jewelry is worth anything.

You can compare the prices of similar items and get an idea of what your jewelry might be worth. You can also research the jewelry to see if it is a rare piece.

Discover Your Old Jewelry Worth Money

In light of everything we’ve discussed in this article, if you are wondering about your old jewelry worth money, take some action.

You can consult appraisal services or look for hallmarks. You can also weigh it and get the prongs checked for verification of the quality. Moreover, you can also try checking online auctions for more background information on your jewelry.

Whatever you do, make sure you get a second opinion to ensure you are getting a fair price.

For more helpful tips, make sure to check out the rest of our blogs.