Sometimes when you inherit jewelry, it can be difficult to decide what to do with it. In some cases, people pass jewelry down to a loved one because it meant the world to them and they wanted it to be kept safe. Pieces like this are generally family heirlooms such as a engagement ring where the tradition to continue passing the ring down are clearly understood.
When there isn’t a deep connection with a piece a jewelry, a person may leave it to a loved one with no instructions. This is usually because they want the new owner to decide what to do with it!
If this has happened to you and you are trying to decide what you would like to do with the inherited jewelry, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve made a list of things to consider after inheriting jewelry to help you feel confident in your decision, whatever it may be. So before you ask “is it wrong to sell inherited jewelry?” ask yourself these questions first:
Should you just keep it?
Having a loved one’s old jewelry can be a great way to keep their memory alive. If you have a piece that you can see yourself wearing, like your grandmother’s wedding ring or grandfather’s cufflinks, that’s even better because you’ll really get the most out of owning the piece.
That being said, not all jewelry that you inherit is going to be something you will want to wear. If this is the case, you can always hold onto the piece as a nice memento. But, we want you to know that there are other options out there.
Would someone else in the family appreciate the piece more?
If you inherited a piece of jewelry but you don’t want to wear it, consider reaching out to other family members who may want it instead. The loved one who left you this gift did so because they thought you would be able to find the right home for it, even if that home might not be yours.
It’s important to understand that if you choose to sell an inherited piece of jewelry, it will be gone for good. You don’t want to be the person who has to tell a loved one (who would have wanted the piece) that it isn’t in the family anymore. Asking before you sell it will avoid any difficult conversations that might otherwise arise.
Is it worth re-purposing the piece?
If you inherited a piece that you know you don’t want to wear, you may want to consider having it re-purposed into another piece of jewelry. This is a great option as it gives you a piece of jewelry you will actually wear and preserves the sentimental value that the inherited piece carried.
Re-purposing a piece usually requires creating a custom designed piece of jewelry but the possibilities are nearly limitless.
Are you comfortable with selling the piece?
If you have no emotional connection with the piece and don’t have any family members who would like to wear it, there is nothing wrong with selling inherited jewelry. If it was meant to be kept in the family, the person who left it to you would have given you clear instructions not to sell it.
Whoever left you this piece wanted you to do whatever you would like with it. For many people, letting a piece of jewelry sit and collect dust when you could sell it and use the money towards something else just doesn’t make sense.
If you feel guilty about selling the piece, use the money on something like helping to pay for funeral expenses, taking a trip to clear your head, or treating your family to something special. This is a good way to do something positive, like the person who left the piece with you would have wanted.
If you think that you are ready to say farewell to your diamond ring or diamond jewelry, trust in the experts at Farewell Diamond. With over 135 years in the diamond business, we can guarantee you the most fair, safe, and easy diamond selling experience you can find. Request a free quote today!