Jewelry ID: Value & Gems

Jewelry appraisal from a photo. Identify the metal, read the hallmark, and see what a piece of jewellery might be worth.

IS IT REAL GOLD?
Photograph the hallmark and this jewelry appraisal app reads it for you. 375, 585, 750 and 916 correspond to 9, 14, 18 and 22 carat gold; 14K and 18K serve the same purpose. A piece stamped 925 is sterling silver — and 925 on a gold-coloured item means gold-plated silver, sold as vermeil.

IDENTIFY STONES
The app identifies likely gemstones and flags the common substitutes: moissanite, cubic zirconia, lab-grown diamond and glass.

ERA AND MAKER
Victorian, Art Deco, Retro and mid-century pieces carry collector value beyond their materials, and signed pieces from known houses carry more still.

JEWELRY VALUE RANGE
You get a band spanning scrap value at the low end and collector or retail value at the high end. A photograph cannot weigh the piece or grade the stones, so treat it as a signal for what deserves a proper valuation rather than a price to sell at.