No better time to sell family silver, advise Sotheby’s

Times are tough, and if there are any heirlooms that you suspect may be of value, now could be the time to sell the family silver.

Acclaimed auction house Sotheby’s will hold a jewellery valuation day at their Dublin office next month.

The international jewellery market is going through something of a boom at the moment and it costs nothing to have your possessions valued.

Sotheby’s in Geneva is Europe’s main auction house for jewellery and, according to the company, the last three Geneva sales reached record-breaking heights. Some of this jewellery was sourced in Ireland, including: a Wolfers diamond necklace set with brilliant-cut diamonds and a cross of baguette diamonds, which sold for €106,710 — more than double its estimate of €49,826 — at Sotheby’s sale in Geneva in May, and an enamel, amethyst and diamond clock by Cartier, formerly in the collection of Lady Mairi Bury and made in 1915, which sold for €67,150 — more than three times its estimate of 18,500.

Alexandra Rhodes, Sotheby’s senior international jewellery specialist, will be in the capital for next month’s valuation day. Ms Rhodes has overseen the sale of jewellery owned by the Duchess of Windsor, Dame Barbara Cartland, Elton John, and Ava Gardner.

“There could be no better time to offer fine jewels at auction. We are seeing extraordinary demand and highly competitive bidding for jewels with historical provenance or by renowned designers in our Geneva sales, which are pushing prices, in many cases, well in excess of their pre-sale estimates,” she said.

The valuations will be offered at the Molesworth St office on Sep 4.