Question re Selling Stones

[minousbijoux]

So I'm a bit embarrassed to post this, as I feel like a traitor to the colored stone team, but here goes...

Over the years, I've collected some beautiful and high end stones. Now I want to sell them but would like to do it on consignment so as not to have to deal with the logistics. The only places I can think of are Jewels by Grace and Bonhams (I adore Athenaworth, Gilded Lane, and would love to give her my business, but last time we spoke, she doesn't feel like her market is exactly the right one). When I looked up Bonham's auctions, I was surprised to see that their clientele seems interested in 1) HUGE but not necessarily super high quality; 2) exquisite, beautiful, set jewelry/works of art; or 3) lower end stones, neither particularly well cut nor particularly rare or high quality (almost stones that around here, we would consider learner stones). Grace really doesn't seem to specialize in colored stones.

So any brilliant ideas? I know it's silly for me to even be asking such a question. I should know better, but I don't! I bought with the idea of setting them and dripping so hard The reality is that I don't like big rings and big stones on me - in fact, I almost never wear the rings I have any more (earrings otoh, are a completely different matter, and plan on finally making some dangly ones with the pairs I've hoarded over the years). I am open to suggestions. I've sold a number of stones on LT but am not interested in selling there now, just cuz it feels way too daunting to manage it.

I'm trying to avoid providing details on precisely what, as this is not any kind of solicitation, this is not the right forum for sales, and it might take me a while to actually act. Suffice it to say that the stones I have are considered large and excellent quality for their kind, have top lab reports, and are the typical sought after suspects here. I sure would like a silver bullet!

Ideas, anyone? Thanks all for peaking in and for any suggestions you offer.

 

[elle_71125]

What about Elle at The Gemstone Project. I’ve seen her sell some gemstones and pieces before (though some may have been things previously designed by her so I’m not sure). You could also try Love Affair Diamonds.

Are these all loose stones? I feel like that would be more difficult, simply because most of the vendors I’ve seen (like Grace) are usually selling jewelry.

 

[marymm]

I also wonder whether Pearlman's might be a possible consignment situation?

 

[Rfisher]

A trusted PS’er friend to handle all the LT traffic for you?
A favorite CS vendor that you purchased at least some of the stones from?
( soooo intrigued by what you are thinking of letting go)

 

[elle_71125]

A trusted PS’er friend to handle all the LT traffic for you?

I was going to recommend that too.

 

[Rfisher]

I do have to add:
And not to put AW in a tough spot
But if you advertised here/LT what you were selling, the market would go to her. It’s not relying solely on her current traffic.
But maybe I’m just over simplifying.

 

[minousbijoux]

I also wonder whether Pearlman's might be a possible consignment situation?

Thanks! You see?!! This is why I love PS-CS so much. I never would've thought of them!

 

[minousbijoux]

What about Elle at The Gemstone Project. I’ve seen her sell some gemstones and pieces before (though some may have been things previously designed by her so I’m not sure). You could also try Love Affair Diamonds.

Are these all loose stones? I feel like that would be more difficult, simply because most of the vendors I’ve seen (like Grace) are usually selling jewelry.

Thanks for those good thoughts, and yah, I understand that some stones sell better in jewelry, so I get your point. But these are unset, and I am looking for a colored stone purveyor, not as much someone who sells them as a by product of jewelry, if that makes sense...

 

[minousbijoux]

I do have to add:
And not to put AW in a tough spot
But if you advertised here/LT what you were selling, the market would go to her. It’s not relying solely on her current traffic.
But maybe I’m just over simplifying.

I'm not sure I understand?

 

[Rfisher]

I don’t like to talk someone into something they’ve already declined - so the point is moot.
But if GuildedLane declined because what you have to sell she feels is not her current target market-
I’m just thinking if your stones were advertised on preloved and LT, and all inquiries were directed to her - she’s not relying on her current Etsy/IG traffic anymore.
I’m oversimplifying and sure it’s more complicated.

I'm not sure I understand?

 

[chroman]

I can’t remember - if you’re in the bay area, I know at least one jeweler who seems to know something about CS *and* does consignment of loose stones.

But I’m not sure how quickly things move, or if it just sits in their b+m store vs getting the insta-love.

 

[minousbijoux]

I can’t remember - if you’re in the bay area, I know at least one jeweler who seems to know something about CS *and* does consignment of loose stones.

But I’m not sure how quickly things move, or if it just sits in their b+m store vs getting the insta-love.

Yep, I am. Are you thinking of Joseph Escobar? I have no problem with stones sitting around, as they have lived for years in my bank box, with occasional (read rare) outings with me.

 

[chroman]

Yep, I am. Are you thinking of Joseph Escobar? I have no problem with stones sitting around, as they have lived for years in my bank box, with occasional (read rare) outings with me.

Actually I was thinking of King’s Jewelers in Walnut Creek.

 

[minousbijoux]

Thank you, chroman!

 

[chroman]

Thank you, chroman!

Let us know if it pans out! I’ve never purchased from them before, but its worth a shot. The last time I visited them, they had a reasonable consignment case.

They impressed me on the CS front by carrying both mahenge garnets and Roger Dery stones.

 

[minousbijoux]

But is their clientele limited to walk-ins or do they participate in gem shows and such? It would be great to get them somewhere where they have visibility to a wide audience, but I'm probably dreaming!

 

[chroman]

It would be great to get them somewhere where they have visibility to a wide audience, but I'm probably dreaming!

Not sure, sorry!

 

[tara3056]

Selfishly, I'd be so bummed if they were consigned at a local jeweler where PS folks had no chance to get a crack at them! I don't post here often anymore, just check in every now and then, but oh how I'd love to see your collection and at least daydream about being able to afford something!

 

[MollyMalone]

@minousbijoux -- I'm tagging @prs 'cause it seems he and his wife do a fair amount of gemstone shopping in California, so he may have some suggestions for you.

 

[2Neesers]

Does Michael at Gemline/Linton do this? I think I have heard something mentioned before when a PSer was suggesting a stone they had for sale with him.
On the other hand, I have purchased a couple of gorgeous stones from you and selfishly wish you would sell them through Loupe Troop . I can understand why you don’t want to go that route though.
Would you ever consider doing a pop-up shop type sale? Maybe just for a weekend or even one week, through pre-loved and LT? If advertised in advance, you might be able to sell stones in a short amount of time without a long, drawn out process and without having to pay out consignment fees.
Hopefully you will be able to share where you do end up selling them so we can check them out !

 

[marymm]

^ I second this suggestion !!!

 

[icy_jade]

If you will ship to Singapore I will be very interested... but regardless wish you all the very best in your sales

 

[chroman]

Just thinking outloud..

If you go the cosignmnent route, how much over wholesale are you apt to get? If its not that great, I wonder if you could visit some jewelers in january and say, “I know you’re going to tuscon in a few weeks to buy...” and see if they’re interested in acquiring anything.

You wouldn’t get more than wholesale, but if you’re going to get that anyway, it might move pieces faster. Or not.

 

[minousbijoux]

Thank you all for the responses - now I have get off my arse and do something about it!

I'll let you know what I end up doing and where they land. PSers are the best.

 

[prs]

@minousbijoux -- I'm tagging @prs 'cause it seems he and his wife do a fair amount of gemstone shopping in California, so he may have some suggestions for you.

Bonhams do in fact sell very fine unset gemstones, usually through their Natural History Dept. Claudia Florian is their NH specialist and contact in Los Angeles. WWW They do also sell unset colored stones, often of very high value, at their jewelry auctions. Emily Waterfall is their LA jewelry specialist and contact. I know they often place their really high end pieces in their New York auctions, rather than Los Angeles. I'm sure they will gladly appraise your stones for you, I've found their price estimates are usually pretty close.

Heritage auctions would be another alternative, WWW They have an office in Beverly Hills with jewelry experts who could appraise your collection. I would visit both and see who offers the best deal.

EDIT: Just realized you are in SF, it may be that Heritage or Bonhams have offices there. However I suspect their closest gemstone specialists will be in LA, and I would contact them first.

 

[AV_]

This forum need a monthly [or less than monthly] sale of exactly such things.

 

[missy]

Hi @minousbijoux your taste is exquisite and I have no recommendations to make but just wanted to say hello and let you know how much I admire your collection.

I know you don't want the hassle of selling it yourself (and I don't blame you at all) but perhaps make a loupe troop listing to see how much interest there is and then decide from there? You could save a lot of money if you don't consign and your reputation (and gems with lab reports etc) speaks for itself on PS so I do believe there would be much interest. Of course please disregard anything I just wrote if it is counter to how you want to proceed. Just throwing it out there in case you are on the fence just a little bit.

Wishing you the best of luck and may everything you want to sell is sold fast.

 

[prs]

@minousbijoux it has occurred to me the market for finished jewelry must be orders of magnitude bigger than for loose gems, and would include retail buyers. I bet if given a budget of about $2,500 per stone, Amy at David Klass could be trusted to set each piece in an 18K white gold ring with a simple but gorgeous diamond halo that would delight 90% of buyers.

We have always found Emily at Bonhams to be extraordinarily pleasant and helpful. If auction might be an option I wouldn't hesitate to have a discussion with her to see if setting your gems would be worthwhile.

 

[minousbijoux]

@minousbijoux it has occurred to me the market for finished jewelry must be orders of magnitude bigger than for loose gems, and would include retail buyers. I bet if given a budget of about $2,500 per stone, Amy at David Klass could be trusted to set each piece in an 18K white gold ring with a simple but gorgeous diamond halo that would delight 90% of buyers.

We have always found Emily at Bonhams to be extraordinarily pleasant and helpful. If auction might be an option I wouldn't hesitate to have a discussion with her to see if setting your gems would be worthwhile.

@prs this is brilliant advice! Its a little like house staging: I know I should do it, but I sure don't want to spend the money!

Anyway, I think I'll speak with Claudia first. Like I said before, looking through what has sold, it seems that if unset, its predominantly very large, good quality specimens and mine are not that large; or its exquisite jewelry (which btw, seems to go for excellent prices), typically with a name associated. My stones are excellent quality and on the larger side, but nowhere near the largest specimens like Bonhams. In fact, I kinda doubt they would be interested in the majority of what I have - maybe better for me to work with a jeweler or gemstone purveyor.

Missy: thank you so much for your good wishes. You never cease to amaze me, how you always have time to stop in with the kindest of words. Gentle hugs to you.

Lots to ruminate on. Thank you all again!

 

[ChaiK]

@prs this is brilliant advice! Its a little like house staging: I know I should do it, but I sure don't want to spend the money!

Anyway, I think I'll speak with Claudia first. Like I said before, looking through what has sold, it seems that if unset, its predominantly very large, good quality specimens and mine are not that large; or its exquisite jewelry (which btw, seems to go for excellent prices), typically with a name associated. My stones are excellent quality and on the larger side, but nowhere near the largest specimens like Bonhams. In fact, I kinda doubt they would be interested in the majority of what I have - maybe better for me to work with a jeweler or gemstone purveyor.

Missy: thank you so much for your good wishes. You never cease to amaze me, how you always have time to stop in with the kindest of words. Gentle hugs to you.

Lots to ruminate on. Thank you all again!

Oh, list them on Loupetroop. I would, if you listed on loupetroop, take a look. I think it is ok for you to say, in this post, ok. Listed. I mean, we can all see and decide. I always think pre-loved gems come with lots of good karma. Thank you.