The Most Surprising Antiques Roadshow Jewellery Appraisals

Jewellery appraisals can feel like a bit like going on the antiques roadshow even when you know how much a piece ought to be worth. That moment of uncertainty while you wait to see what your favourite necklace is valued at can be quite exciting. Jewellery appraisals often become a chore that needs to be done for insurance reasons, but it doesn’t have to be.

So let’s inject a bit of life back into the jewellery appraisal ritual by looking at some of the most exciting surprises from the PBS version of Antiques Roadshow! We’ll be looking at some shocking watch valuations, some jewellery of the Orient that entranced Victorians, and a reminder that Tiffany’s packs more surprises than their shocking lack of a breakfast menu.

Watch out for Antique Watches: The devil was in the details

One guest was on the show with a watch he didn’t expect much from. Purchased in Washington State by a relative of a friend for $60 back in the 60s, it seemed unassuming. The guest probably didn’t expect much when he took it in for jewellery appraisal at the Antique Roadshow. Usually pieces without any clear history don’t wind up having much to them, but this timepiece held a secret.

A discrete slide turned on the “repeater”, a feature older watches had that could chime out the time down to the minute, letting users tell the time in the dark, long before the invention of electric lighting made the task seem trivial. Made in the 1880s, this watch also features a porcelain dial and is in almost-new condition making for rather exciting jewellery appraisals that reveal the true price of $8,000.

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The Upside of Tiger Claws at Your Neck

More exotic pieces can be a true challenge when it comes time for a jewellery appraisal. This double sided necklace from India has so much going on it can be hard to tell where to start, but luckily the expert judge from the Antiques roadshow was able to glean knowledge from both sides of the piece. The back (not pictured), shows very detailed enamel designs that feature pearl in intricate designs of tigers and jungles.

Tigers are the theme of this necklace, in the tiger paw design, which turned out to be crucial during the jewellery appraisal. The front of the necklace is truly breathtaking, featuring large natural pearls, rubies, topazes, colourless sapphires, regular sapphires, emeralds, diamonds, and more! The sheer variety of gemstones along with the stunning craftsmanship allowed jewellery appraisal to identify this piece as part of a dowry, made with care to be worn during a wedding. The jewellery appraisal puts this gem-covered necklace at up to $15,000.

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Tiffany & Co… or Maybe Just Tiffany

Sometimes it’s the valuable pieces that surprise you with just how valuable they really are! Chances are if you have a special heirloom you probably know it’s special, and some of the family history behind it… but what if there was more history to it than even that? This beautiful necklace taken in for jewellery appraisal was a gift from husband to wife in the 70s. The husband cared deeply for his wife so he saved up $3000 to buy her a genuine Tiffany’s necklace that she treasured for years.

It wasn’t until much later when the item went for jewellery appraisal at the Antiques Roadshow that the wife learned it wasn’t just from Tiffany’s, it was actually from Mr. Tiffany! The necklace was designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany himself around 1915. He was a notable designer in his own right who worked in glass and metals, designed the stained glass windows of cathedrals, the interior design of Mark Twain’s house, and decorated President Arthur’s white house. His jewelry was one of the early flagship products of Tiffany & Co., giving the necklace a value of up to $90,000.

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What surprises might your jewellery case hold?

Book an appointment for your jewellery appraisal today.

 

Validating your valedictorian: Finding custom jewelry in Calgary for the perfect graduation gift

Crossing the stage to claim a diploma is a milestone worth celebrating, whether top of the class or just barely passed. No matter what accomplishment your loved-one has completed –high-school, undergraduate studies, or maybe an MBA or law degree — graduations are a big deal. Timeless jewelry pieces are a great way to commemorate the occasion and ensure that memories of the journey, the rewards of achieving a goal, and the loved ones on whom they relied to make it through stay fresh in your grad’s mind. Choosing the right gift can be tricky, and that’s why we always recommend custom jewelry that can be tailored to the likes or dislikes of your grad.

This article will provide some suggestions on custom jewelry gifts for both men and women, as well as help you find a great custom jewelry source in Calgary. The perfect gift is worth it to celebrate your loved one having memories, jewelry, and an education that will all last a life time.

Gifts for Her: Custom jewelry to commemorate a milestone

If you want something special your grad can wear with just about anything, consider a classic bracelet or ring with a personalized engraving on the inside of the band. Silver, gold, tungsten, platinum, copper – no matter what their tastes, you can find something gorgeous they’ll just love.

For women you generally want something bright and light that embraces the summer ahead, while maintaining a sense of elegance.

Cultured pearls are very popular for such occasions as they perfectly balance themes of youthful purity and vitality with a refined and stately elegance. Pearl bracelets or necklaces can be ideal.

Diamonds are a more expensive but more memorable option when it comes to custom jewelry in Calgary. Like pearls they also capture that divide between uplifting brightness and sophistication, but diamonds go even further and result in truly timeless jewelry that can be worked into elegant outfits forever.

Diamond earrings are also hard to go wrong with, but if you really want to give a gift that will last forever, consider a classic diamond solitaire necklace with a unique custom twist for your grad. It could be a birthstone emphasis, a tasteful engraving, set in your grad’s first name initial, or simply a setting that calls attention to their best features.

Gifts for Him: Custom jewelry proudly worn by the modern man

Buying custom jewelry for men can be a fraught experience at times. Simply knowing the graduate well might not be enough as many men don’t think they have strong opinions. Luckily there are some failsafe gift ideas that can be easily found at any reputable vendor of custom jewelry in Calgary.

custom-jewelry-grad-giftsCufflinks are often neglected gifts that can be as stately and useful for graduates who will be wearing a lot of suits in their future. Young lawyers, business students, or future executives can all benefit from the element of class tasteful cufflinks can inject into their outfits. Personal touches like monograms or a family crest can elevate the gift further.

Watches are another “timeless” suggestion for young men. Not only do they aid your new graduate in meeting the deadlines of the working world in style with a professional watch that makes a great impression. Engravings to celebrate their accomplishment in graduating, or just their place in your heart, can add a personal sentimentality back to the gift.

Getting Great Grad Gifts: Finding the right custom jewelry in Calgary

Finding the perfect gift can be hard enough, but finding the right jeweler who can provide the custom touches your grad deserves doesn’t have to be a chore. When you contact a boutique selling custom jewelry in Calgary, let them know you’re looking for a graduation gift and see how they react. You want a firm that is immediately excited and wants to know more about the grad’s taste and your ideas for their custom jewelry. If they can work within your budget and recommend options that fit your desired piece, you’ve got the right place.

 

Explore exquisite Canadian-made Custom Jewelry.

 

Let Us Raise Money For Your Favorite Charity!

We’re looking for a great charity event to take part in!

We love giving back to our community, and our clients are an integral part of the Premier Gems community. We care what’s going on around us.

CharitySo, we’ve decided to put the question to you, our community. Tell us which fundraising event YOU want Jeff to enter, and if we pick yours, we’ll raise money for your favorite Charity as part of your team! Let us be a part of supporting the survivors in your family, honoring the memory of a lost loved one, or just fostering a cause that’s close to your heart.

Jeff’s most recent event was a fitness competition that saw him onstage with Richard Simmons and which helped raise over $400, 000 for Breast Cancer Research, and now we’re looking for a new charity event to throw ourselves into.

Tell us what charity you’d like us to raise money for in the comments below and check back June 1st when we’ll announce a winner!

Also, don’t miss your opportunity to sign up for our upcoming Lunch and Learn – Diamonds: Mystery Solved! to learn everything you’ve ever wanted to know about assessing diamonds.

 

Meet Premier Gems’ Creative Force: Jeff Nechka

jeff-nechkaCredentials & Background:

Jeff Nechka is the creative force behind Premier Gems, and is a certified gemologist with all the whose list of credentials include G.G., A.J.P, and G.I.A. He is also the only Western Canadian member of the International Coloured Stone Association, and one of only a handful of members belonging to the American Gem Trade Associations.

kashmir sapphireFavorite Gemstone: Kashmir Sapphire – the colour is unbelievable intense and rich.

 

 

cushion_cut_diamondFavorite Gem Cut: Cushion

 

 

 

art-decoIf you could live in any jewelry era which one would it be and why?: 

Art Deco. I like bold geometric shapes combined with a statement gem for colour.

 

Colour Diamond ListThe extravagant piece you’ve always secretly hoped someone would commission from you:

A big Natural Coloured Diamond statement ring.

 

earrings-3-238x300Favorite past creations:

The platinum, Pink Spinel, and Diamond drop earrings I made for the AGTA Spectrum Awards.  They look even more spectacular worn, as a couple of my clients can attest to.

 

 

Upcoming Lunch & Learn Event – Diamonds: Mystery Solved

diamonds-lunch-and-learnOn Friday, April 26th 2013, we invite you to join us in a lunch hour event that will help you understand the mystery behind the grading of diamonds, and unveil the mystery behind the four C’s.

The event will be held from 12-1pm and will be led by Premier Gems’ creative force and custom jeweler, Jeff Nechka.

To reserve your seat, please click here and RSVP.

Jeff Busts A Move for Charity!

05 thanks for bustin'!Not only did our very own Jeff Nechka participate in ‘Bust a Move’, a 6 hour exercise marathon and fundraising event for Breast Cancer Research, but alongside our friend & client Norma McNalty’s Edmonton team, he was part of pulling in the whopping $430,000.00 of sponsorship donations that this fabulous event raised according to the Global News Edmonton video coverage.

The marathon included Zumba, hip hop dancing, boot camp, yoga, radiostar (a dance workout), and a 70-minute workout session with the one and only Richard Simmons!

And who do you think ended up on stage with Richard himself? Take a peek through the pictures below to spy Jeff rocking it out on stage Simmons-style, in his stylish pink workout tee…and then without it! Nice abs, Jeff! All those diamonds and pearls must be heavier than we thought…

01 jeff with his team 02 jeff with richard 1 03 jeff with richard 2 04 jeff with richard 3 - shirtless!