Looking to invest in jewelry? Our ultimate guide covers everything you need to know, from the top types of jewelry worth investing into how to choose a qualified jeweler and insure your pieces. Discover the ins and outs of investing in diamonds, gold, platinum, pearls, and gemstones, and learn about tracking trends, buying from limited collections, and collecting ancient jewels. Start your journey to becoming a savvy jewelry investor with our comprehensive guide.
5 Types of Jewelry Worth Investing in
When it comes to investing in jewelry, there are several types of pieces that tend to hold their value and appreciate over time. Here are five types of jewelry worth considering for investment purposes:
- Diamonds: Diamonds are a classic investment option in the world of jewelry. They are durable and rare, and their value has historically been appreciated over time. When investing in diamonds, it’s important to consider the 4 Cs: carat weight, cut, clarity, and color, as these factors can significantly affect the value of the diamond.
- Colored gemstones: Colored gemstones, such as rubies, emeralds, and sapphires, are also popular options for jewelry investment. Like diamonds, they are rare and can appreciate in value over time. However, it’s important to note that the value of colored gemstones can be influenced by factors such as the intensity and clarity of their color.
- Designer pieces: Jewelry created by well-known designers, such as Cartier, Tiffany & Co., and Harry Winston, can be worth investing in due to their brand recognition and reputation for high-quality craftsmanship. These pieces often have a higher resale value compared to non-designer jewelry.
- Vintage and antique pieces: Vintage and antique jewelry pieces can hold significant value due to their rarity and historical significance. These pieces can also be unique and have a one-of-a-kind quality that makes them desirable to collectors.
- Fine gold and silver jewelry: Fine jewelry made from precious metals, such as gold and silver, can also be a good investment option. These metals hold intrinsic value and can provide a stable investment option. Additionally, they can be melted down and sold for their weight in gold or silver if needed.
When investing in jewelry, it’s important to do your research and work with a reputable dealer to ensure you are making a sound investment. Keep in mind that the value of jewelry can fluctuate over time and that it may take some time before you see a return on your investment.
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1. Diamonds
When it comes to investing in jewelry, diamonds are often the first thought that comes to mind. And for good reason – diamonds can be one of the best assets to beat the effects of inflation and other economic crises. In fact, since 1959, the price of vivid and fancy-colored diamonds has steadily risen by about 10-12% yearly.
Investing in diamonds can be a smart choice as they are durable and can beat inflation. The four criteria to consider when selecting a diamond for investment are carat, cut, clarity, and color. Types of diamonds worth investing in include colored, colorless, loose, and type IIA diamonds. Investing in a reputable brand like Tiffany can also be a good option, with prices ranging from $1,500 to over $100,000. Tiffany offers a Tiffany authentication service to ensure the authenticity of your investment.
2. Gold
Pure gold is a precious metal that is worth considering as an investment. The prices for gold have been on the rise, with the gold price per ounce resting at around $1,800 in January 2023. In the early 2000s, the gold price was only about $320 per ounce. While there have been some ups and downs in the market, gold has proven to be a reliable investment over time.
When it comes to investing in gold jewelry, it’s important to choose options with at least 14-carat gold or higher. This ensures that the jewelry contains a higher percentage of gold and is therefore more valuable. Additionally, when purchasing gold jewelry, it’s important to work with a reputable dealer to ensure that you’re getting a fair price and a genuine product.
3. Platinum
According to Australian bank ANZ, platinum is expected to experience growth in the coming years, with prices predicted to rise from around $1,100 an ounce to nearly $1,375 by September 2023. This makes platinum a potentially lucrative investment option for those looking to diversify their portfolio.
If you’re interested in exploring platinum investment, one option to consider is platinum jewelry from the Art Deco era. Art Deco jewelry is characterized by geometric shapes, bold colors, and a focus on luxurious materials like platinum and diamonds. These pieces were popular in the 1920s and 1930s and are highly sought after by collectors today.
While prices for Art Deco platinum jewelry can vary widely depending on factors such as condition and rarity, the average price for a piece of jewelry from this era is typically around $3,000 to $5,000. This makes it a more affordable option than other types of investment-grade jewelry, such as diamonds or colored gemstones.
4. Pearls
Top-quality pearls are highly valued by jewelry investors all over the world and can command prices ranging from over $100 to even millions of dollars. Investing in pearls can be a smart choice, as they are a durable and timeless material that can hold their value over time.
When it comes to investing in pearls, it’s important to choose natural sea pearls rather than cultured pearls. Natural pearls are rarer and therefore more valuable, with prices ranging from around $500 to $2,000 per piece. Additionally, it’s important to consider factors such as size, shape, and luster when selecting pearls for investment.
While investing in pearls can be a lucrative option, it’s important to work with a reputable dealer to ensure that you’re getting a genuine product and a fair price. By doing your research and carefully selecting high-quality pearls, you can potentially see significant returns on your investment over time.
5. Gemstones
Fine gemstones such as rubies, emeralds, and sapphires have a good track record of increasing in value over time. These precious stones can command high prices, with rubies valued at up to $100,000 per carat, emeralds up to $10,000 per carat, and sapphires up to $5,000+ per carat. Investing in gemstones can be a smart choice for diversifying a portfolio, but it’s important to work with a reputable dealer and carefully consider quality and rarity when selecting stones.
How to Choose Rubies?
Unheated Burmese Rubies are highly sought-after by jewelry investors due to their rarity and beauty. The finest examples have a vivid red color that is often described as “pigeon’s blood” by collectors. This term originated in Burma (now Myanmar), where locals believed that the color of ruby was similar to the blood of a freshly killed pigeon.
Today, the term “pigeon’s blood” is used to describe rubies with a very specific shade of red that is highly valued in the gemstone market. Unheated Burmese Rubies with this color can command very high prices, making them an excellent investment for those with the financial means to acquire them.
In Which Emeralds Better to Invest
Unheated Burmese Rubies with a vivid red color are highly sought after by collectors and investors, as they can be excellent investment opportunities. The finest specimens are known as “pigeon’s blood” rubies, a name that originated from the Burmese tradition of describing the color of rubies based on the color of a pigeon’s blood.
These rubies are prized for their intense, pure red color, which is not altered by heat treatment or other enhancements. Because they are rare and highly valued, unheated Burmese rubies can command high prices, making them a potentially lucrative investment opportunity for those with the means to invest in them.
What Sapphires to Pick for Investment
Sapphires come in a range of colors, from blue to yellow and orange. However, the finest and most sought-after sapphires are the blue sapphires from the Kashmir region in India. This is because these sapphires have a unique, velvety appearance and a rich, deep blue color that is unlike any other sapphire. The Kashmir region is known for producing sapphires with this distinctive color and appearance, which is attributed to the specific geological conditions in the region. As a result of their rarity and beauty, Kashmir sapphires can command very high prices, making them a valuable investment opportunity.
Final Thoughts
If you’re interested in investing in jewelry, it’s important to do your research and work with a qualified jeweler who can help you navigate the market and make informed decisions. Look for a jeweler who is knowledgeable, trustworthy, and has a good reputation in the industry.
It’s also important to insure your jewelry investment to protect it from loss or damage. Make sure to work with a reputable insurance provider who specializes in insuring high-value jewelry.
Authentication services are another important consideration when investing in jewelry. Make sure that any pieces you purchase are accompanied by certificates of authenticity from reputable organizations, such as the Gemological Institute of America (GIA).
It’s also worth noting that investing in jewelry requires significant capital, as the most valuable pieces can command very high prices. Make sure to budget accordingly and consider working with a financial advisor to ensure that your investment strategy aligns with your overall financial goals.
