ANTIQUES & ART IN NEW SOUTH WALES
MEANINGFUL VALUATION of jewellery = CSi + forensic analysis
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n expert valuer requires many basic qualifications, commencing with knowledge in all of gemmology, diamond grading, jewellery manufacturing techniques, antique and period jewellery, wristwatches and pocket watches, hallmarking of jewellery and precious metal testing. In addition to all of the above, many years of experience are required. The most essential skill is the ability to translate all the technical, design, historical and provenance data into what is relevant in the current marketplace. Only then can one arrive at a ‘value’ that is meaningful for the end users of a written valuation, whether owners, insurers or probate.
VALUATIONS have many interesting challenges One of the problems facing a practising jewellery valuer is that any imaginable (and never imagined) item can appear before you for valuation: you are required to use a broad range of skills. For example, when identifying a gemstone, a loose gem is much easier to identify than a gem that is set, as testing procedures are limited once set. Frequently valuers need to decide if an item of jewellery is a genuine antique or a modern reproduction. A valuer often does not know the history of the jewellery and so has no information to start with. It can be likened to CSI and forensic analysis, so assumptions and identifications are determined by examination and testing. In order to identify the origin of the gemstone and metal mount a logical sequence of examination and testing needs to occur to arrive at the correct answers. 1. The gemstone must be identified, whether natural or synthesised in a laboratory. 2. The precious metal needs to be tested and identified, such as the grade of silver, whether sterling (.925 pure) or other grades (Scandinavian silver is frequently .800). 3. What about the method of manufacture – is it handmade or cast or a combination of both?
Imagine the challenge from a large pearl necklace – are they from the South Seas or are they freshwater pearls? They look very similar to one another, but have totally different values. There are now rubies on the market that are of really very low quality. They have been treated by heating and the addition of molten glass to fill the cracks in the stones which increases the eye visible clarity. The value of this type of ruby is extremely low and can be very misleading for the purchaser. There are other treatments of rubies, so depending on the treatment, a wide range of values can be attributed to each gemstone sold as a ‘ruby.’ This has the potential to defraud prospective buyers. An interesting valuation was that of a lovely sapphire and diamond ring with a series of English hallmarks on the band. A closer examination revealed that the stamps were fake. The marks were actually cast into the ring and therefore clearly a modern reproduction, and of course fraudulent. The other sign that the ring was not antique was that modern cut diamonds that were set in the ring did not occur until at least the 1950s. Another valuer was presented with a blue stone and diamond ring. The blue stone looked exactly like a blue Ceylonese sapphire – testing proved that it was an unusual blue stone called kyanite. This is a fragile stone and so the wearer has to be very careful not to crack it. New deposits of the mineral have recently been discovered, so it will be seen more frequently on the market, yet few will know its true (low) value. The above examples show just the tip of the iceberg of this vast subject. When seeking advice or valuations, a qualified and experienced person is obviously required to unravel the science and complexities of jewellery, watches and other items of personal adornment. The best thing about using a professional valuer is that you will get a precise description of the article along with an accurate current replacement price. A valuation is a legal document: it validates the existence of the items should either damage or loss occur ●
A GEMMOLOGICAL challenge Valuers may be asked to value a necklace set with a multitude of cut gemstones, which could be a mixture of amethyst, citrine, zircon, garnet, iolite, topaz, peridot, emerald and synthetic ruby.
NATIONAL COUNCIL OF JEWELLERY VALUERS NSW 02 9232 6599 / 0418 616 849 nsw@ncjv.com.au
REGISTERED VALUERS IN NSW Name Ian Masis Baghdasar Alison Jonathan Ken Sirarpy Catherine E Eli Michael David Michael Michele Andrew Scott David Carma Valerie Robyn Paul Sheila Narelle Salina S Patrick Raymond John Robert Brenda Julie Ben Douglas
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Abeshouse Agopyan Alford Alford Anania Banbekian Barnett Baroud Barrett Benn Berton Black Broadway Brown Bubb Burchell Burgess Carmody Carruthers Catterall Chamoun Cheng Cho Clark Clements Cliff Colahan Collins Connor Crabbe
Company Ian Abeshouse Valuations Masis Jewellery Jonathan Alford Pty Ltd Anania Australia Pty Limited R.P’s Valuation Services Barrett’s Jewellers Pty Ltd David Benn Fine Jewellery Artima Products Creations Jewellers Fine & Decorative Arts Services Pty Ltd Valuation Professionals David Bubb & Associates Pty Ltd West Wyalong Jewellers Pty Ltd Gemstone Valuation Services Ricco Ricco Jewellery Dixon Gem Studies & Valuation Services Raymond Clark Jewellers J W Clements & Associates Pty Ltd Robert Cliff Master Jeweller Brenda Colahan Fine Art Jules Collins Jewellers David Connor Designs Manly Jeweller
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R J Crisp Pty Ltd J Farren Price June’s Jewellery & Gems Professional Jewellery Services MP Valuations Rob Bennett Jewellery Dracakis Jewellers Menaka Drew Valuations Frank Ellis The Diamond Centre Gemplan Marketing Dustins Giro’s Jewellery Frost Antiques Pty Ltd Thomas Robb Designs Pty Ltd JW Gerrard Pty Ltd The House of Fraser What Women Want Michael A Greene Antiques Gregory Jewellers TLG Valuations Coronet Jewellers of Distinction Hatzi Jewellers Goldsmith Jewellers G W Speirs Kareli Valuation Service Normans of Mosman LG Humphries & Son RHAS Crown Diamond Jewellers Regency Jewellers Starco Jewellers Mt Druitt Jarrett Jewellery Kalmar Antiques D & R Valuation Bond Street Jewellers
Hennings Pty Ltd Levendi Jewellers Karen Lindley Pty Ltd Percy Marks Jewellers McWilliam & Associates Pty Ltd Leon Milch Pty Ltd McWilliam & Associates Pty Ltd Valuation Centre of Australia The Valuation Centre of Australia Musson Jewellers Neuman & Associates, Australia c/- Mondial Jewellers Hunter Region Valuation Services Nicholson’s Hourglass Jewellers Nicholson’s Hourglass Jewellers Ralph Nicola Peter O’Neill Jewellery Jo Linda’s Jewellery Constantine Jewellery Design Maxoddy Pty Ltd R J & C R Pinn Pty Ltd McWilliam & Associates Enigma Jewellers Terrace Jewellery Pty Ltd Erich Radinger Goldsmith & Jeweller Jewellery Brokers Stuart Reid Jewellers Alison Renwick Art Consultancy Jan Logan Jewellers Penelope Ellen Jewellery Luisa Rose Designs The House of Fraser c/- Percy Marks MN Jewellery Aldo’s Manufacturing Jeweller P/L L Sanders & Son Pty Ltd C E & J Sarno Umun Jewellery Studio I Schlanger & Son Pty Ltd J Farren-Price Sheppard’s Jewellers Phillip Skamperle Manufacturing Colleen Sloane Design & Valuations Advanced Gemmological Services Pty Artegold Jewellery The Village Jewellers Chilton’s Antiques Vinson Jewellery The Gem Connection GS Gold Shops Pty Ltd Underwood Jewellers Accu-Val Jewellery Appraisals Old Technology Spectrum Gems Venerari John Newton Jewellers Tracy Wenban Jewellers Lambert Jewellery Deborah Windfield Jewellery Duval Jewellery
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