appraisals in the UK?

[elisa]

Hello UK crowd! I was wondering if you had any suggestions for where to get antique jewelry appraised in London. After almost a decade of lusting after a pair of Georgian silver and diamond earrings, I finally caved and bought a pair (yes, I have wanted some since I was 14). For insurance purposes, I'd like to get my new babies appraised by someone reliable who really knows their stuff. Suggestions?

One more question: I'll most likely be moving back to the US next year; does any one know if appraisal made in the UK will be valid as far as US insurance is concerned?

Thanks!
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[Nerida]

Elisa - try a pm to Sueki - she is very knowledgeable herself, having been an antique jewellery trader from what I recall.. If she can't help you herself, she is sure to know who can. And of course, she is local.... lucky folks living in London..

 

[Nerida]

Oh,and could you put a pearl beside the earrings and photograph them so that we can see them and lust after them too? (this is a pearl forum after all...)

 

[elisa]

haha of course, nerida. though there's no need to put an extra pearl in the picture...there are some on each earring already!

The woman I bought them from is pretty sure that they are later-added saltwater replacements, though a part of me hopes she is wrong . Regardless, the drops are lovely... one looks like a shimmery (if lumpy) bubble. Everything else is original, complete with those neat back-to-front earwires.

specs: c1820, silver, 16 mine cut diamonds (dark but sparkly) totalling ~.5 carats, original gold ear wires, two 6mm saltwater half-pearls set in gold cups, two ~8mm baroque drops.

this is the seller's pic...ok to post it?

 

[pearlescence]

Hi Elisa
Are they Hallmarked?

 

[Nerida]

okay, here is the sort of post I hate making, but I still do..

ooh, they are so pretty (they really are, Elisa, and would look fab with all your dark wavy hair)

 

[elisa]

i know nothing about hallmarks, part of the reason why I need an expert to tell me if what's authentic and what's not. Though to be honest, even if some portions are not authentic, i love them ... diamonds, pearls, cool earwires!

the wires should be 18k (they tested as such, apparently). one gold earwire is hallmarked with something that looks like a 9 (or 6?). The other wire, I cannot make anything out.

as for the silver portions, can't make out anything there either...but then I am not sure what to look for? number, symbol, on the edge, maybe?

 

[elisa]

ah i double checked the specs the woman gave me and it says no marks. but what's up with the 9/6 marking? am I just seeing things?

 

[elisa]

reference-- these are exact specs i was given:


CIRCA DATE/PERIOD: Georgian, early 19th

GEMSTONE: antique rose cut diamonds, approx. 0.50ct- 0.60ct total weight, dark silver grey in color with nice sparkle;

top- 2 saltwater half pearls in gold caps, high lustre and very good skins; 6 mm in diameter, possibly later added;

bottom- 2 saltwater drop-shaped baroque pearls, measuring 6.5 X 8 mm and 6.6 X 8.5 mm, very good surface texture, high lustre- nice drop-shaped pearls with iridiscent orient, possibly later added;

METAL: silver and 18K YG tested. original 18K YG front open type earwires were professionally polished and are in good working order.

MEASUREMENTS: 2" long, tops- 7 /16 " wide;

drops 5/8" wide

MARKS: no marks

CONDITION: very good wearable condition; original 18K YG front open type earwires, original patina to silver;

WEIGHT: 7.7 gr

 

[pattye]

Very pretty! I love it with the leaves! The pearls look lovely too! Do let us know what you find out, please!

 

[pearlescence]

This will start you off on what you need to know. The earrings may be too small for compulsory marking
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hallmark

My maker's mark is an egyptian style cartouche with wmg in it

 

[Sueki]

Hi Elisa,
Lovely earrings, thanks for the pics.
I'm not surprised that they aren't hallmarked as many, many jewellery pieces of that age weren't marked at all.
Find an independant high street jeweller, one who sells vintage and antique items, and preferably a family business that's been around for a couple of generations.
Hatton Garden is good for these kinds of businesses and they know their subject very well indeed.
They will give you an accurate appraisal (for a fee of course).

 

[elisa]

thanks so much!

 

[dkan 168]

Sorry, I have no experience with getting antique jewellery appraised, so can't help

Good luck with the appraisal

DK