Tag Archives: gold

What You Need to Know About Gold

Gold PileMost of the news has been negative lately.  But there is a ray of light for jewelry owners who want to sell their little worn jewelry or broken and damaged chains.  Gold prices have reached more than $1940 per troy ounce, an increase of more than 27 percent in 2020 alone.

Jewelry appraiser and Graduate Gemologist Ben Gordon reports he is now seeing more clients interested in learning what their items are worth if they should need to sell to raise money in these challenging financial times.

Mr. Gordon, explains, “we weigh and test for the purity.” Purity is commonly known as 10K, 14K or 18K. “24K, pure gold, is mostly found in coins, he adds.”

GoldRush
Recent heading from
The Houston Chronicle

Much of the gold that is sold ends up in the melting pot somewhere, but Mr. Gordon tells his clients if there is something of extraordinary value that should be rescued or perhaps even sold at auction or directly to a jewelry dealer.

It is certainly worthwhile so spend a few dollars ($$) to learn who will pay the best price to a seller.  Especially when that seller could potentially receive thousands of dollars ($$$$) for their tangled jewelry.

“Know what you should expect as a fair price, before you sell,” the Jewelry Judge recommends. “And be aware of current gold pricing.  We’re here to help achieve the best outcome for our clients.”

Virtual online and in person consultations are available by appointment.

Call 713 961-1432 or book online

The Gold Rush 2020

Houston Jewelry Appraiser Jewelry Judge Ben Gordon - Prospecting for Gold 2020We love prospecting for gold!

Gold prospecting is the act of searching for gold in old jewelry and shoe boxes. What’s in your Closet?

Bring in your old jewelry boxes and have the Jewelry Judge sort and value the jewelry and gold.

This is traditionally an estate activity, either by someone dividing up jewelry among children or the heirs who inherited a mix of jewelry after the loss of a family member.

We will separate the fine jewelry and precious metals from costume, identify quality, identify the designer/manufacturer, provide documentation and value the items in your treasure chest. We will also refer you to trusted buyers, consignors or auction houses which are appropriate for your items of value.

During the current economic down turn, selling precious metals and fine jewelry or watches is once again not only popular, but in some cases a necessity.  We experienced this in 2015 when gold was at $1,400 an ounce, today it is selling at more than $1,900 an ounce.

We can help you turn gold into cash!

Gold Jewelry
See the Jewelry Judge

Already Using Lots of Screen Time?

Schedule a Live Online Visit with The Jewelry Judge!

Ring1Jewelry Judge Ben Gordon is known for his While You Watch consultations and appraisals.

Now, clients don’t even have to leave home to schedule a professional consultation.

The Jewelry Judge offers personal online visits by pre-arrangement. Send him photos of jewelry by email ahead of time and connect within twenty-four hours via Zoom, Skype or Facetime, depending upon your computer or preferred mobile device. He will respond with details about how to ‘log in’ to meet with him.

What Do You Need to Know?

  • Thinking about selling– find out what you should expect to receive if selling jewelry!
  • Replacement value insurance appraisal – learn how much it would take to replace your engagement ring.
  • Sorting through estate pieces – did you inherit a shoe box full of jewelry and need to know what’s worth keeping?
  • Setting up your e-Bay store – Want to know what’s a fair price to ask for your items?
  • Confirming an online purchase – It looks smaller in the box than on your screen; did you receive what you paid for?

Houston Jewelry Appraiser Jewelry Judge Ben Gordon - Online Appraisal“At our gem lab, we have always done appraisals in full view of our clients,” Mr. Gordon affirms. “Of course, we miss the person- to-person office visits, but we’re happy to be able to continue to help with virtual online consultations.”

Most items with a GIA or AGS laboratory grading report (even if the report is twenty years old) are eligible for online valuations. For others, you may only need a verbal consultation. Call 713 961-1432 to find out if we can help.

 

 

Hard Facts – Hard Assets – Hard Decisions

AquamarineringIn difficult economic times, people sell hard assets such as jewelry and luxury valuables to provide money for other priorities, such as college tuition or travel.

To assure that our clients know the value of any items they consider selling, we offer a ‘Fair Market Valuation.’  Knowing how much a jewel is worth before taking it to an estate buyer or consigning it to auction will help assure the best price is obtained.

Jewelry Judge Ben Gordon does not buy or sell.  This allows him to maintain objectivity.  He does, however, refer clients to trusted buyers or reputable auction galleries depending upon the specific items to be liquidated.

This ring sold at auction for over $28,000.  Its original owner thought it might bring  $15-18,000.  A Jewelry Judge valuation and referral helped bring a much higher price.

aquamarinering3When making a hard decision, we recommend knowing the hard facts about hard assets. Difficult decisions become easier with a Jewelry Judge Consultation.  Make your decisions based upon hard facts – Call 713 961-1432Book Appointment On-Line

Where to Sell Gold Jewelry in Houston?

Gold JewelryWith the current price of gold upwards of $1600 per troy ounce, gold jewelry sellers are back.

Houston’s Jewelry Judge does not buy or sell jewelry, but he often consults to inform individuals wishing to sell their gold on what price they can expect. “People often forget,” he remarks, “that anyone buying gold will most likely be reselling it.”

This means that, for example, a handful of 14k gold chains weighing exactly 1 troy ounce will bring less than 30% of the daily spot price for gold.  18k and 22k gold may bring somewhat more, because of the higher percentage of gold in the mix. Know the value of your gold before you sell to avoid disappointment – consult with The Jewelry Judge.

What about gold jewelry with colored gemstones in it?  Mr. Gordon shakes his head, “Many gold buyers lump all jewelry items together and weigh it as though it were gold.  This could mean that a valuable gemstone could be quite under priced. That’s where it helps to consult with Houston’s Jewelry Judge.  Sometimes, there’s something really valuable in a tangled mess.”  We can identify what’s worth salvaging, re-designing, or letting it go to scrap.  And if there is a need to sell, we help direct our clients to reputable buyers.”

Houston Jewelry Judge Ben Gordon - Consultation

Breaking the Gold Code: 22K 18K 14K 10K

Houston Jewelry Appraiser Jewelry Judge Ben Gordon - Gold ServiceA gold karat is a unit of measurement that identifies its purity.  100% gold is soft and malleable and would be impractical as jewelry as it would become distorted and wear quickly.  Other metals such as copper, silver, zinc, and nickel are therefore mixed with gold to strengthen it.

What percent is gold and what percent is other metals?

Here is a simple guide to the meaning of 22K, 18K 14K and 10K gold – the most popular gold purity indicators found in fine jewelry.

karat
24 possible karats in gold.

• 24-karat = pure gold with nothing added
• 22-karat is 91.67 % pure gold and 8.33 % other
• 18-karat yellow gold is made from 75% gold and 25% other
• 14-karat gold is 14/24ths (58.3%) gold and 41.7% other
• 10-karat gold is 10/24ths (41.6%) gold and 58.4% other

 

The gold bars at Fort Knox are 24 karat gold, the purest gold possible. There is no such thing as 25 or 26 karat gold, so steer clear of anyone who makes such a claim.  Most gold jewelry sold today is stamped to indicate the karat value, but often a stamp is illegible or worn away.  The Jewelry Judge can test to identify the karat weight of gold as well as platinum and silver.

If in doubt about what you own, why not check it out? – Book an Appointment Today!  Identification of gold content and weight is the first step in valuing any jewelry item.

Weighing and testing services provide you with information you can trust before you sell your gold jewelry.

Gold TestingEveryone should know if their gold jewelry is 14k, 18k, 22k or another purity, as well as, its weight in grams or pennyweights.  While Houston’s Jewelry Judge does not buy or sell jewelry, we can quickly and accurately weigh your gold before you approach a buyer so you will know approximately what you should receive based upon current market value when you sell.  This service is also available for silver and platinum items.