tips, please...how to list diamonds or gemstones, if not a jeweler

I'm trying to list some jewelry, and I think these pieces are pretty good quality, however, how do you list jewelry, like diamonds or gemstones, if you can't know the quality, clarity, size & such, and you don't want to give em' away by selling for scrap or just above?
The ruby heart is 14K and tests positive for diamond. I assume the rubies are natural as well. So how do you list something like this?
The other heart is also 14K and tests positive for diamond. It has another mark on the back but it is too smudged to see anything.
Any tips advice, pretty please. Should I pay to have a jeweler appraise them? Or, would the cost for that eat away any profit?
Thanks for your time as always.

 

Just adding some info...I have a caliper, and the width of the center diamond on the ruby pendant is 4.46 mm. I can't get a reading on its depth though.

 

Well, I found a local place that will do a verbal appraisal for me. It's $65.00 an hour, but she said if I'm only there half an hour it would be half that amount. So, I made an appointment with her for next week, and I think I can have her look at 2 or 3 pieces in 30 minutes, so sounds like a good deal. She said she does a lot of ebay sellers, so they can present their pieces properly.

 

There are DIY guides to diamond grading which are quite useful.

The largest stone looks about 15 to 20 points. (.15 to .2 carat)

THe really tiny stones have virtually no intrinsic value. If I were to scrap them I'd save the single larger stone and drop the rest in the pot to melt.

 

There are a few pieces of jewelry hanging around here. Some marked 14 or 18k. I took them to 4 different jewelry stores and two places that buy gold, silver. All gave me their idea of value. All agreed on size of gems and grams. No fees.

One piece I did leave with a long time seller of estate jewelry - an average size store. I've known them for years, but didn't know their system. They quoted me a value, I agreed, and that is their guarantee what I receive no matter what they sell if for. (They marked it up 25%) I got a check in the mail last week.

Bottom line. No one asked me to pay for an appraisal. All measured gems and stated weight of gold and one platinum necklace. Try just walking in with a few pieces,

 

All good ideas, thanks so much Davey, Af and theoldguy!
I guess I was just thinking if she could do 2 or 3 items in 30 mins for $32.50, then that would be roughly $10, per item (if 3 items anyway), then that would be worth it.
I'll do some more looking around and see if someone else will be willing to help for less or free even.
I know the little diamonds are a dime a dozen, but I thought the larger diamond might have some better value if it's a good color, clarity and size?
I saw a website that converts mm to carat weight, and for a round cut at 4.25mm that= 0.28 carat, and 4.5mm = 0.36 carat. Mine measured 4.45mm.
Anyway, I'm learning....and have much to learn, thanks again everyone.

 

Those are both lovely items , that I'll bet would sell fast for Valentines Day.....
but with an appointement for next week.......you may miss the boat !

 

Oh, good heavens! Tiny diamonds may be relatively worthless, BUT both those pieces are charming. Not everything valuable has a monetary component!

 

I know!! That's why I pulled them out this morning to hopefully list them, but I don't want to just give them away, by not knowing how to present them properly. What a bummer! I can't go anywhere today either, to see if anyone else can help, because my daughter is home sick today, she's ok though, thankfully.

 

Thanks silver! I know, I love both of them and will have a hard time giving them up.
But trying to raise some money to help my son get his 1st car, yikes!!

 

I get that you don't want to give them away....but you didn't just fall off the turnip truck either !!
List them with a BIN ...& BO .....
I'm sure you can do some quick searches for similar type good quality pendants to arrive at a modest value....
I don't know what you paid for each ......but I'm sure you could get some idea of what the could sell for.

 

LOL! Some days I feel like I just fell off that truck....
Yes, I probably could do that on the one without rubies, and list that pretty easily, but I feel I should know more about the center diamond in the other one. I think it would make a difference. I wouldn't want to represent it one way, but have it turn out to be something different.
I sold a really nice tanzanite necklace a few months ago, that I had no real info on, except that I knew it was real, but had no proof. It sold, but for much less than it should have. I should have had someone look at it before I listed, so I could have presented it the right way.
Thanks everyone so much.

 

I'm going to go out on a limb and say it's likely not an investment quality diamond......but it still may have a good cut and color.

 

Agreed, thanks komokwa.

 

Just an update, I went to 2 places this morning. The first one said he would do a free verbal appraisal, he tested and they were genuine diamond & ruby, and then he offered to buy them both from me for $200., and I said no, but thanks for your help. He really wasn't helping me, he's a dealer, and looking to re-sell them himself. I should have guessed that would happen.
The 2nd jeweler did a free verbal, and she was very kind, and did not offer to buy them, yay. She said the ruby heart is genuine diamond & ruby, and the size of the center diamond is about 1/3 carat, the others about .22 points, so about a half carat total weight for the diamonds. She wasn't able to give size of the rubies, because they are measured a different way. She said the diamond is a quality diamond with some light inclusions and very little or no yellow, but she didn't give exacts. She said I should ask $7-800., for that one.
The other she said is about 1/2 carat weight also, and that I should ask about $4-500. for that.
I know I likely won't get those amounts on ebay, but I can always come down, and it at least gives me some idea. So, I guess I won't wait for the other appraiser. I was just sort of wanting to know color, and clarity for listing purposes, but...
Thanks for everyone who helped.

 

Those both sound like retail prices....but now you have a baseline & an idea of what you want for them.
Good Luck !!!

 

Thanks Komokwa, yes I realize that, but at least it lets me know that they are something better than what I thought. At least I learned a few things too!

 

Well you had your suspicions ......& they bore fruit !!
They're both very sweet .....

 

Good luck with them, Tyeldom!

I've never taken jewelry to a jeweler for an appraisal, formal or informal. Do they do usually do free verbal appraisals because they're hoping if it's a good item you'll sell it to or through them? Or do some do it just to be nice to customers?