Polishing Everything
People love shiny things. Collectors often do not. Polishing can reduce the value of coins, samurai swords, and, to a lesser extent, championship rings, antique silver, vintage watches and other historic objects. Some see dirt as damage. We often see it as history. Around here, we call it “estate dust.”
Left, 1893s VF Condition, not cleaned, $10,000. Right, 1893s VF Condition, cleaned, $5,000.
Throwing Away Boxes and Packaging
A Rolex box, warranty papers, tags, certificates, receipts and service records can add hundreds—or even thousands—of dollars to a watch’s value. And it’s not just Rolex. We often joke that the box people threw away in 1975 is now worth more than what came in it.
Improper Testing of Gold
Many precious-metal buyers still use files and acid. Those methods can leave permanent marks on jewelry and gold. We use modern XRF technology, which determines metal content without leaving a mark.
Recutting Old Diamonds
In years past, jewelers often encouraged customers to “modernize” old-cut diamonds. It made sense at the time. Today, many collectors pay premiums for original old European cuts and old mine cuts.
Throwing Away Paperwork
When settling an estate, families often discard boxes of old documents. Most do belong in the trash, but some do not. Civil War letters, autographs, old photographs, receipts, and other ephemera can sometimes be worth more than the items they describe.
Repainting Artwork
Well-intentioned repairs do more harm, not good. Amateur touch-ups and improper cleaning significantly reduce the value.
Florida Storage
Un-air-conditioned attics, garages and storage sheds are enemies of collectibles. Air quality, insects and mold reduce value.
Alteration & Marriage
A poor alteration of original pieces or marrying two pieces together that don’t belong can ruin value.
Never put rubber bands on sterling silver. The chemical reaction turns them into scrap.
Before cleaning, repairing, scrapping, testing, or throwing something away, get a second opinion. Five minutes of advice can prevent a costly mistake.
