Jewelry & Gems at Auction: The Definitive Guide to Buying & Selling at the Auction House & on Internet Auction Sites (Paperback)

~ Antoinette Matlins (Author), Jill Newman (Contributor) "MANY PEOPLE SEEKING TO BUY OR SELL FINE JEWELRY OR GEMSTONES today are discovering the auction arena..." (more)
Key Phrases: diamond grading reports, fine natural pearls, gemologist consultant, New York, United States, Art Deco (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Ah, the lure of the auction--online and off. Gemologist and multitomed author Matlins (aided here by coauthor Newman) uncovers the truth--or consequences--of selling and buying jewels by competitive bidding. She demystifies such common terms as "without reserve" and "seller's commission" while painting a realistic picture of the successful seller and buyer. The former, for example, needs to remember that presentation is key; buyers should track sales, subscribe to auction catalogs, and establish realistic estimates. The second half of her book concerns the dazzle and glitter of gemstones, educating the reader, at a macro level, about the four cs of diamonds, quality in gemstones and pearls, and the signs and styles of great period pieces and great jewelers, from Belperron to Raymond Yard. Much of the gem-related materials is, of course, a rehash of her previous writings, but, given the current auction fever, it makes dollars and cents to cool down by reading her very practical recommendations. Information on internationally respected laboratories issuing reports used by major auction houses and online auction sites and a selected list of auction houses are appended. Barbara Jacobs
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Description

Everything you need to know before you buy--or sell--gems and jewelry at auction.

A source of expert guidance to help you enter today's fastest-growing marketplace for gems and jewelry. This definitive guide to buying and selling at auction covers both the unique risks and opportunities to be found--how to make a profit on yesterday's treasures or find a valuable treasure of you own.

Entertaining, informative, and packed with tips from an "insider," this practical, easy-to-understand guide makes available--for the first time--detailed information on:

What distinguishes auction buying and selling from other methods
How to buy and sell at acution: The rules of the game
What you need to know before bidding on:
* Diamonds
* Colored gemstones
* Pearls
* Gold and platinum
Design and style: Great jewelry periods and great jewelers
Special concerns wehn buying and selling on Internet auction sites
How to avoid the pitfalls when buying and selling at auction
What auctions do guarantee, and how to protect yourself against what they don't
...and much more.

With comprehensive price charts and auction results, as well as resource informationon auction houses and websites, Jewelry & Gems at Auction is a book no potential auction buyer or seller can afford to be without.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Gemstone Press (June 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0943763290
• ISBN-13: 978-0943763293
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #576,885 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Overview of auction info + general education on gemstones, March 10, 2003

By	Virginia Allain "retired librarian" (Poinciana, FL) - See all my reviews

There are more in-depth books on buying and selling at auctions and online auctions that readers will want to consult. This briefs you on gemstones at auction. The publisher, Gemstone Press, has comprehensive guides on diamonds, pearls, etc. that are more in-depth as well. Convenient to have it all in one book, but keep in mind these limitations.
Excellent color photo section, helpful drawings, great charts. Probably a good starting title for this area, but I'd want to read more books before venturing into buying and selling gems at auction.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A 'must' for any serious collector, October 6, 2005

By	Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

Antoinette Marlins has many other gemstone guides to her name and is an expect on gem identification and sales, making Jewelry & Gems At Auction: The Definitive Guide To Buying & Selling At The Auction House & On Internet Auction Sites a 'must' for any serious collector. From distinguishing auction buying techniques from other types of gem purchasing to bidding on different types of gems, understanding jewelry periods and designs, and avoiding common auction pitfalls, Jewelry & Gems At Auction is simply packed with valuable tips.