We purchase natural diamonds of any cut, color, clarity and carat weight. Diamonds can be loose or mounted stones. We have graduate gemologists and accredited jewelry professionals on staff who will grade and identify your stone. We are equipped with the proper tools necessary for testing a diamond's authenticity, measurements and characteristics. The four characteristics of diamonds we examine are the cut, color, clarity and carat weight.
When you hear the term “cut” when referring to a diamond, most people are thinking of the shape. However, cut actually refers to the symmetry and polish of a diamond. These factors have to do with how the facets interact with light to give it that sparkle! There are five cut grades: Excellent (EX), Very Good (VG), Good (G), Fair (F) and Poor (P).
The color scale goes from D-Z. D meaning completely colorless which is the rarest and most valuable while Z is typically not something that would be used in jewelry. Deciphering color is a trained skill that cannot be determined by the untrained eye.
Clarity measures the transparency of the stone. Things that factor into this are inclusions and imperfections. There are 6 categories for grading clarity; Flawless (FL), Internally Flawless (IF), Very Very Slightly Included (VVS1 & VVS2), Very Slightly Included (VS1 & VS2), Slightly Included (SI1 & SI2) and Included (I1, I2 & I3).
Carat is a unit of weight, rather than size. 1 carat weighs roughly the same as a single paperclip. More carats doesn’t mean a better diamond, simply because you have to take into account the other four characteristics.
One of our Graduate Gemologists, Brandon, had a customer at MJ Christensen Diamonds with a 7 carat round brilliant cut diamond. The diamond was set in a brooch that had belonged to her aunt. When her aunt passed away, our customer inherited this brooch and assumed the diamond was fake. Brandon noticed the brooch hidden in a bag of costume jewelry. After evaluating the gemstone, Brandon was able to properly grade the diamond and offer the customer an amount of money that almost made her fall over!
If you have fine jewelry, luxury watches, coins, or collectibles you no longer use, you might be sitting on more value than you think. Right now, certain high-quality items are seeing strong demand across the United States, and selling them has never been easier.
If you have ever wondered how to tell if jewelry is real, here are some simple tips.
Estate jewelry carries stories. It could be an heirloom diamond ring, a vintage bracelet passed down through generations, or an antique brooch that has been sitting in a jewelry box for decades. When it comes time to part with these pieces, many people assume the best option is to list them online. After all, it’s quick, convenient, and seemingly exposes your items to a wide audience.
But here’s the catch: convenience doesn’t always mean value. In fact, working with estate jewelry buyers in person at a trusted buying event often leads to stronger offers, and here’s why.
At first glance, selling online feels straightforward. Take a few photos, post a description, and wait for bids or offers. The reality? It’s rarely that simple.
Market Uncertainty – Unless you’re an expert, it’s difficult to know if your asking price matches the true market value.
Risk of Scams – Online platforms carry the risk of fraudulent buyers or disputes after the sale.
Fees and Commissions – Many websites take a percentage of your final sale price, cutting into your profit. Some charge as much as 15% for the sale, plus shipping fees and insurance eats into the sale as well.
Time Commitment – Listing, responding to messages, negotiating, shipping, and insuring all fall on you. Some items may take months to sell online
What looked like a quick transaction often turns into weeks of effort, with no guarantee of getting the best price.
National Rarities hosts buying events across the U.S., partnering with local jewelers to provide a safe and professional place to sell. For those looking to sell estate jewelry, these events create a very different experience:
On-the-Spot Appraisals – Trained buyers evaluate your items right in front of you. No waiting for online bids.
Fair Market Offers – Because buyers work with current demand and know what collectors are seeking, you receive a competitive, real-time offer.
Immediate Payment – Accept the offer, and you leave with cash the same day.
No Hassle – No shipping, no photographing, no online fees. Just straightforward selling.
One of the biggest advantages of an in-person event is the expertise behind the appraisal. A vintage Art Deco ring, for example, may look like just another piece of jewelry online. To the right buyer, however, its craftsmanship, period design, and rarity give it added value.
This is where estate jewelry buyers excel: recognizing the unique qualities that online shoppers or generic resale sites might overlook. If you’re looking to sell vintage jewelry, working with professionals ensures your piece is valued for more than just its metal or gemstone weight.
Selling online might feel convenient, but when the goal is to maximize your return, in-person buying events consistently outperform. The combination of expert evaluation, immediate offers, and competitive pricing means your estate jewelry gets the respect and the cash offer it deserves.
Instead of settling for less online, consider attending a National Rarities buying event near you. You may be surprised by just how much your treasures are worth when they’re seen by the right eyes.
