“Treasures from the Vault” Jewelry and Timepiece Auction set for Thurs., Nov. 20 at J. Levine Auction & Appraisal

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3 Tips for Purchasing Estate Jewelry and Watches at Auction Rare jewels, colorful gemstones and vintage and modern watches and timepieces from a Paradise Valley estate will be auctioned on Thurs., Nov. 20 at Levine Auction & Appraisal during the high-end auction house’s “Treasures from the Vault” specialty auction. The public can preview items on Wed., Nov. 19 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and again starting at 9 a.m. on Thursday before the auction begins at 11 a.m. J. Levine is located at 10345 N. Scottsdale Rd., in Scottsdale, Arizona. Josh Levine, auctioneer and owner of J. Levine Auction & Appraisal, said most people don’t realize that they can pay significantly less for luxury items at auction, including jewelry and watches. “You’ll pay three to five times more when purchasing from a retailer, and often times the jewelry and watches in our estate auctions are in near-new condition. It’s definitely worth exploring, especially as we get closer to the holidays,” he said. Levine offers these tips for purchasing jewelry and watches at an estate auction:

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  •  Do Your Homework: Research the price of gold, silver and other metals. Check the condition of the gemstones to make sure there are no inclusions, fractures or other imperfections. And, know the difference in value between heat-treated and synthetic stones versus natural, non-treated stones.
  •  Know Who You’re Bidding Against:  Whether you’re bidding in person or via the phone or Internet, you’ll likely be bidding against dealers. The collectors will set their sights on a few items, so a savvy buyer watches the crowd. One bid over a dealer who is trying to make a large profit is always a great buy.
  •  Check for Provenance: Look for documentation, such as receipts and past appraisals, that provide more details about the piece’s value. For vintage watches, check to see if they are “frankened,” meaning some of the parts may have been replaced or are missing.

David Wilkinson, J. Levine’s director of Specialty Auctions, said brands also play into the value of jewelry and watches. “Certain brand names, like David Yurman, Tiffany, Cartier and others will elevate the value of a piece, even if there are minor imperfections.” The “Treasures from the Vault” auction is J. Levine’s first of a series of specialty auctions planned each month for the next year. Upcoming auctions include a coin, currency and stamp auction on Dec. 11, an Automobilia auction featuring hundreds of items from Hot Rod legend Tommy Sparks’ estate on Jan. 8, a fine art auction on Feb. 26, and more. Auctions are subject to a 15 percent Buyers Premium (20 percent for Internet and phone bidders). Live online bidding can be accessed through www.jlevines.com Visit Site or through www.Artfact.com. Visit Site

For information, visit www.jlevines.com or call (480) 496-2212.  Visit Site  

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Author: Les Conklin

Les Conklin is a resident of north Scottsdale He founded Friends of the Scenic Drive, the Monte de Paz HOA and is the president of the Greater Pinnacle Peak Association. He was named to Scottsdale's History Maker Hall of Fame in 2014. Les is a past editor of A Peek at the Peak and the author of Images of America: Pinnacle Peak. He served on the Scottsdale's Pride Commission, McDowell Sonoran Preserve Commission, the boards of several local nonprofits and was a founding organizer of the city's Adopt-A-Road Program.. Les is a volunteer guide at the Musical Instrument Museum.

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