Selling Your Jewelry
We are always buying beautiful antique and vintage jewelry — both individual pieces and entire estates and collections. Our website gives you an idea of the variety and breadth of jewelry we buy. We can pay strong prices because we market jewelry directly to collectors in our store and online.
You can trust our buyers to provide a pleasant experience as they make every effort to find a new home for your estate jewelry.
What we buy
Diamond rings
Large and small diamond rings with an emphasis on original Victorian, Edwardian, Art Deco, and mid-20th-century examples. We also buy modern diamonds, especially larger stones and rings signed by houses such as Tiffany & Co. and Cartier.
Gemstone rings
Sapphires, rubies, emeralds, fine jade, pearls, and virtually every other colored gemstone of fine quality or set in a fine jewel.
Signed jewelry
Tiffany & Co., Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Boucheron, Bulgari, Buccellati, David Webb, Seaman Schepps, Marcus & Co., Oscar Heyman, Mikimoto, J.E. Caldwell, and others.
Old-cut diamonds
European and mine cuts, Asscher, cushion, pear, marquise, oval, and emerald cuts — and original mountings when you have them.
How it works
Email clear images of the front and back of your jewelry to jewelrybuyer@langantiques.com. Include your contact details and everything you know about the piece. Appraisals and diamond certificates are especially helpful. If photos and information are clear, we can usually give an offer estimate before you send the jewelry.
Photographing jewelry
Use natural light near a window, a light background, and fill the frame. Shoot the front, back, any marks, and documents. Send JPEGs as attachments.
Sending jewelry
We recommend insured USPS Priority or Registered Mail. Address the box to LANG (no Antiques). Email us when it is on the way. While your jewelry is with us it is fully insured. Contact us with questions. If value exceeds typical postal limits we will arrange additional insurance.
How we determine value
Intrinsic value — diamonds, colored stones, and precious metal by size, quality, rarity, weight, and purity. This is generally the minimum; we usually pay much more.
Craftsmanship and design — hand fabrication, unique construction, and period character increase value.
Desirability — signed jewelry, fine colored-stone rings, exquisite period examples, and larger antique diamond engagement rings are highly prized.
Rarity — most high-quality antique jewels are one of a kind. Famous makers command a premium.
Condition — honest wear is expected. Pristine original condition is rare and commands a premium. Heavy alteration can reduce value.
Direct sale or consignment
Direct sale: once you accept our offer we send a document to sign and notarize as required by law, then pay by check.
Consignment: candidates for consignment receive a higher net than an outright purchase. Agreements run a minimum of 120 days. We agree a consignment price in advance — that price is your net. Many pieces also carry a buy-anytime offer.
We pay costs to prepare a piece for sale (tightening stones, restoration, photography, laboratory reports). If you withdraw a consignment you may be responsible for agreed preparation costs.
FAQ
Do you buy jewelry that needs repair? We will consider it. We do not buy scrap gold.
Do I need an appraisal first? No. It helps us quote a ballpark offer, but we perform a gemological evaluation when the piece arrives, at no charge.
How long for an offer once you have my jewelry? Usually 24–48 hours, longer for large or complicated collections.
Can you appraise jewelry I am not selling? We only value items we have seen in person that we are considering for purchase. For insurance appraisals, see a professional appraiser.