April 13, 2010

What About Jewelry For You Hair?????

Posted by Jessica Kendrick, G.G. under About Jessica, Antique and Estate Jewelry, Antique Jewelry, big diamonds, Buying Gold, Diamonds, Estate Jewelers, gold, Jessica Kendrick, Jessica Kendrick G G, Jewelry, Platinum, silver, Silver Plate, Silver Plated Flatware, Sterling, Sterling Silver, Summer | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |
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Have you ever thought about jewelry for your hair? Or, rather, jewelry in your hair? Yes! There are some fun cheap things that you can buy in any department store or other retailer. But have you rummaged through your jewelry box? Do you have some really wonderful old brooches that you don’t know what to do with? This is an “Ahhh-Ha” moment for you!

Many times there are beautiful antique combs that are put in front of me or I see them in garage sales. Ladies just don’t know what to do with them. Well, SNAP THEM UP!!! Don’t pass them by. Some are sterling too. Make sure they are in excellent to good condition.

I have old combs and wear them in my hair when the either match or clash with what I have on. Clashing just makes a cool statement. One is a big Art Deco pierced celluloid peacock tail shape with sparkly green rhinestone in it. It’s usually buried at an angle in a French twist and left to peek around the side of my head. There are SO many ways to wear it. Another way is to make a low chignon off to one side and have it peeking out the side. The ways to use it are unlimited.

Bar pins, whether real or not, are another great piece. Pin it in your hair. Real gold, platinum and real stones flip out people because it’s so unexpected. Here, again, the French twist is great for a bar pin. If you’re worried about it coming off, just add a couple of bobby pins on the pin stem and make sure to point the pin clasp end downward. It just makes your hair look fabulous! I’ve had some real ooooo’s and ahhhh’s from a platinum and diamond Art Deco bar pin in my hair. It’s really a sparkler in dark auburn hair and I’ve ALWAYS been asked where I got it.  It’s been fun to say “Out of my jewelry box.”

Got clip earrings with lots of rhinestones? Use those in your hair. Be careful about pulling them out so you don’t pull your hair out. They don’t have to match. Remember to use and odd number of items. And if you don’t use them in your hair, clip them to your plain pumps or ballet flats to dress them up. So don’t forget your toes for a little bling.

What to do with a pony tail? Set your hair how you like it, slick it back and pin a HUGE rhinestone brooch over the top of the elastic or plain bar barrette. That brings up the WOW factor in a hurry! Or clip in some clip earrings on the elastic. They don’t have to be a set, just complimentary together. I have some clip button earrings that have several strands of variegated brown beads falling that have been clipped to the top of a hair elastic. It was a great look.

For you short hair ladies, just clip the clip earrings to a small plain headband of your choice. Here again, an odd number is the best. Don’t set the earrings in the center of the headband, set them off center. Big 60’s paisley earrings are fun. You might just need only one earring if it’s really big.

A Victorian collectible is the hair twist. You see them now put out by Goody. It’s just a little thing set with rhinestones on top with a spiral of wire that’s twisted into the hair. The Victorian Gibson Girls really had something there. This is an old notion with a modern twist….ha ha on the twist. Occasionally, you can find the antique ones. They don’t look like much of anything on their own. But together, they really make an up-do. I have numerous of them. They are one of the obscure things that I collect. Quite a few of them have diamonds, amethysts, zircons and one with a signature of Mauboussin in 18kt gold

Dig into your jewelry box, your Mom’s or better yet your Grandmother’s. Look in garage sales for sweet finds. Check out the local antique mall or resale shop. There are combs, earrings and brooches that are out there just waiting to help bring a little bling to your hair and add a little more sparkle than just your eyes. Sparkles to everyone!

 

November 4, 2009

How to Treat Your Organics, In-Organics and “IF” They Should Be In Safe Deposit Boxes

Posted by Jessica Kendrick, G.G. under Antique and Estate Jewelry, Antique Jewelry, Cultured Pearls, Diamonds, Estate Jewelers, gold, Jessica Kendrick G G, Jewelry, Pearl, Platinum | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , |
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february-09-041wordpressOrganics? What are Organics you ask? This an all encompassing jewelry trade term that you may or may not heard of. Organics are anything that is not a rock or a stone. The following are examples of organics: coral, shell, pearls, ivory, conch pearls, paper (historic documents), animal furs or claws. In-Organics would be diamonds, platinum, gold, sterling, coins,  etc.

Why put items in safe deposit boxes? The obvious answer is to keep them safe. But there are things that should NOT stay in a safe deposit box for extended periods of time. The air is VERY dry and will pull the moisture out of any organic and a few in-organics items. Years in safe deposit boxes have absolutely ruined items that people have put in front of me to purchase from them. It has put me in the difficult position to explain that Aunt Bessie’s favorite large Victorian period shell cameo is only worth the value of the gold frame because the once beautiful cameo is crazed and has a crack giving Aphrodite a part that the carver did not intend. It is a shame to see some of the beautiful pieces that have been destroyed because of their spending a lifetime in the local bank. The Dead Sea Scrolls befell the same circumstances because of their safe deposit storage.  A beautiful large opal in a fabulous Art Nouveau necklace will craze beyond belief if it were kept in a safe deposit box for a long time.

What not to put into a safe deposit box? Organics, papers (historic in nature), leathers, Opals, fabrics, watches and clocks are items that should not go into a safe deposit box. You CAN put them into the bank if you are going away for a trip and will return in a couple of weeks. There is no issue there. Just bring them home when you can after you get back and they can acclimate to your home again. These items need the moisture that is in your home.

With these simple little rules, you can keep your treasured jewelry beautiful for generations to come.

 

July 24, 2009

Selling Your Gold…..Here’s The Details About What Goes On During and After You Sell Your Precious Metals

Posted by Jessica Kendrick, G.G. under Antique Jewelry, Buying Gold, Estate Jewelers, Gold Testing, Jewelry Sales, Platinum, Selling Gold, Sterling, Sterling Silver | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , |
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february-09-041wordpressEveryone’s selling their gold for any number of reasons. One great reason is just to put a jingle in your pocket. Other less pleasant but very important reasons are for taxes, divorces, to make ends meet, or to put food on the table to name a few.

I was just out on a buy and was shopped by two consumer advocates. Don’t get me wrong, they have their place.  Consumer advocates have been able to get really good and well needed results from their endeavors.   But, if it’s done in a manner to be sensational and get the news out, it does no good for anyone and makes matters worse for everyone.  There’s more to the gold price than just the price.  As a general rule, very few understand everything that goes into giving a competitive precious metals price.

When you sit down in front of me, you are treated with the utmost respect and consideration. The same holds true for the other buyers that are out on the buy with me. This can’t be said for all companies out there buying your gold, silver, diamonds and such. Not always am I able to come to an agreeable price. When a good price for both doesn’t happen, then other alternatives are discussed to try to help you sell the item(s).

As an instance, a mother and daughter both came in together. The mother was coming in for a second time because I was able to make an offer on her diamond wedding set that no one had matched. We finished the transaction and began to discuss her daughter’s jewelry. It was taking an emotional toll on the daughter. I had explained that I understood her plight of going through a divorce. They are some of the most difficult things in life. Previously, I had told her mother that it had been necessary to sell everything, including family antiques, in order to make ends meet. The mother then told the daughter.

Tears welled in the daughter’s eyes and threatened to spill. I reached out to put a consoling hand on the daughters hands, explained that they were things, and that they didn’t define who or what I was. Also, that a jewelry buyer was only one of the means used to make my ends meet.   And, the same held true for her. The things she was trying to sell were just things. None of this would ever define who or what she was.

We were not able to able to come to an agreeable price but I was able to give her other alternatives in order to get her the cash that she needed. It was a very emotional time for the daughter.  She went away from the experience with a plan for herself.

There are many tales like this. No one ever hears them or about the sheer delight of getting more money than had been anticipated. Or asking someone what they want for an item and telling them, I’d like to pay you more than what you are asking. You get to hear all about the “bad boys and girls” of the business splashed across the media and about how much they ripped off John Q. Public. It’s sensational. It makes for great news.

You need to know that all 14kt gold or other karats of gold are NOT created equally. As a general rule when gold is purchased, melted and then refined, the gold that comes back from a 14kt lot is much LESS than 14kt. Yes, I did say LESS! The only way to combat that from a buyer’s standpoint is by testing with acids.

Acid testing is subjective to a certain point. If you have a ring that is stamped 14kt, as example, and it browns under a 14kt acid scratch test then it is less than 14kt. When you sit down in front of me, I test in front of you and explain what is being done so that you can feel secure in the testing procedure. Besides it’s YOUR gold and YOU need to know everything that is going on with regards to getting you the most for your sale. The acids that are used are 10kt., 14kt, and 18kt. That’s about all that any qualified buyer needs to have in their arsenal.

After the Buy, gold gets separated into its different karats. Often there is a 14kt stamp but the gold is UNDER karated or not even gold. There are soldered rings and chains, springs in the catches on those necklaces and generally 14kt is less than 14kt gold. It may be as low as 9kt. Each is smelted and refined. Then it’s tested to see what the karat is. It never, ever, ever comes out to 10kt, 14kt., or 18kt.!

How does this affect the bottom line for the company that I work for you ask? We MUST be making a killing, right? Well, if I am buying 14kt price and it comes in less than 14kt after the melt, then the buy price was too high. There are other things to take into consideration, my salary, my hotel and meals, my flight, the cost of the advertising, cost of a police officer for everyone’s protection, cost of the room, refiner charges, smelting charges, shipping, is the jewelry being held for a police hold (sometimes it’s held up to 30 days), etc. When you add everything up, it’s a pretty stiff price and not everyone is making a HUGE profit as was first thought.

Everyone buying from you has a certain market and all markets are different for the most part. Do your due diligence when shopping your gold. You have to. It means your money. But do know there are some really good people out there buying for a right and fair price from the public.

 

May 27, 2009

GOLD’S UP!! And It’s A Golden Opportunity To Bring Cash To YOU!

Posted by Jessica Kendrick, G.G. under About Jessica, Antique and Estate Jewelry, Buying Gold, Estate Jewelers, Gold Testing, Host a Gold Party, Jessica Kendrick, Jessica Kendrick G G, Jewelry, Jewelry Sales, Platinum, Selling Gold, silver, Sterling | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , |
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february-09-041wordpressThe Gold Party is over and I have to let you know it was very successful.  People went home quite surprised by the amount of CASH their gold brought them.  I am going to be planning another one very shortly. 

A great time was had by all.  There was a little wine, a little cheese, some great laughter, a very nice evening, and quite a few ooh’s and ah’s when it came down to weighing the gold and handing out the cash.  It was fascinating to see how much a little pile of 10kt., 14kt., or 18kt. added up to a significant amount of cash. There were some great big smiles on people’s faces. 

You won’t be pressured into selling at my gold party.  In fact, everyone wanted to go home and dig a little deeper in their jewelry boxes.  Unfortunately we were limited on time.  But I am now working with a few people to purchase their precious metals on an individual basis.  This could also work for you, if you prefer a little more privacy about selling your gold. 

What To Bring?
Bring anything and everything that you think that you want to sell, even if you aren’t sure what it is.  Don’t worry if it’s clean or if you’re not sure it’s even gold.  I will test it to be sure.  Bring single earrings, broken jewelry, gold teeth, outdated jewelry that you don’t like, old settings that have the stones out or anything that you can dig out of your jewelry box.   Bring gold, platinum and silver.  You will receive cash for all of it.

I can advise you whether to keep it or not, and tell you what it is if it’s a unique or antique item.  I can also advise you where to go to get your best price if the item is too special to be sold at a gold party for scrap. I’ve taken numerous items “on memorandum” — a type of jeweler’s loan — and sold them for clients to help get the best price because some estate pieces will bring more money than if they were simply melted.  I make a few calls to see where the pricing is in the industry and make an offer to you. 

How are Gold and Other Metals Priced? 
Rates are based on the current precious metals market for that individual day.  As an example: Gold is currently around $950.00 per ounce.  This is for bullion 100% pure gold — or 24 karat.  The gold that you’ll bring in is less than 24 karat.  But remember, your 14 karat herringbone necklace is gold combined with another metal, so the weight of your necklace is not a solid weight in pure gold so you’ll be paid on the actual amount of gold in your necklace. 

What Should You NOT Sell?
Sometimes there are some things you should just keep.  When I see something important that I think you should hold on to and take home with you, I’ll tell you.  I’ll, also, tell you if a piece should go to an auction house such as Christie’s or Sotheby’s or if you have a rare item that would only grow in value for you, for example.  You can then judge whether or not it’s in your interest to sell it.  Good jewelers and gemologists will always advise on whether you should hold on to a piece or if the cash is the better option.

It was a great party and I look forward to more.  Gold’s up!  Why not take advantage?  When’s that last time you went to a party, had fun, drank a little wine and made money????  Never! Dig deep in your jewelry box.  Take advantage of the “stuff” that’s just lying around moldering and make you some CASH!

 

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