Written by: Vintage Jewelry Antiques Editorial Team
Posted on: July 11, 2026
Jewelry Value Guide: What Actually Drives Price
Whether you’re holding solid gold, sterling silver, or well-made costume jewelry, the same core factors determine value — composition, gemstone value, maker, rarity, condition, and completeness — even though the weight each factor carries shifts considerably depending on what you actually have. Composition Sets the…
Written by: Vintage Jewelry Antiques Editorial Team
Posted on: July 11, 2026
Gold Melt Value Explained
Calculating a gold piece’s melt value is genuinely straightforward math once you know the formula, but a couple of common mistakes — mixing up ounce types and forgetting to account for gemstones — can throw the number off significantly if you’re not careful. The Basic…
Written by: Vintage Jewelry Antiques Editorial Team
Posted on: July 11, 2026
When to Melt vs. Sell Gold Jewelry Intact
Deciding whether to sell gold jewelry for melt value or sell it intact to a collector or design-focused buyer is a genuinely important decision, since melting is completely irreversible — and unlike silverware, gold jewelry often has an extra factor to consider before melting anything…
Written by: Vintage Jewelry Antiques Editorial Team
Posted on: July 11, 2026
Jewelry Appraisal: When and How to Get One
A professional appraisal is worth the cost in a specific set of situations — insuring a valuable collection, settling an estate, or confirming a piece that seems like it could be a genuine rarity — and jewelry appraisal specifically requires weighing metal value, gemstone value,…