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WITH EXPERIENCE, COMES EXPERTISE
We have unique experience in buying, trading and selling estate jewellery. We have hundreds of previously owned items such as: diamond rings, gold coins, bracelets, earrings, pendants etc. Call or visit our store if there is a particular item you are looking for.
July 27, 2024
Gucci hinged bangle watch 26mm with 12 genuine interchangeable bezels $300.00 CAD. 501-00352
Retro is back and this lady’s watch captures the spirit or 1980s and 1990s like no other. The Gucci interchangeable bezel models put the Italian brand on the map when it came to fashionable woman’s watches. The early reference number for this watch is 11/12, ours is a little later version with the model number 1100-L. It is showing wear in the form of a some corrosion on the inside of the bracelet and back of the buckle.
The gold plated outside surfaces are holding up well, only showing a few thin sections on the corners at the bottom of the bracelet. These watches are simple and clean, nothing little more than a hinged bangle with a basic white dial and two thin gold hands for time interpretation. This 26mm creation came to us with 12 genuine interchangeable bezels spanning the colours of the rainbow.
With a resurgence of popularity and interest in these watches, we are getting requests for these all the time. The signed buckle snaps closed with great security and the original signed crown is in like new condition.
The previous owner had safety chain loops installed on the buckle. We’d be happy to supply a safety chain should you feel the need but the buckle works great and locks tightly.
The low maintenance precision Swiss quartz movement is running perfectly and keeping great time.
At 26mm in diameter this watch is small but very functional and balances perfectly with its 3.5mm wide solid bracelet. These make great summertime watches that can change their look to match any outfit in just a few seconds. Including our complimentary 1-year warranty this iconic Gucci is estate priced at $300.00 CAD. Stock #501-00352.
July 26, 2024
Antique 12 carat garnet bracelet, 14 karat gold, 27.3 grams. $2,450.00 CAD. 241-00088
There is a lot more we don’t know about this antique bracelet than we do know about it. It came to us from a charitable foundation it was donated to. The charity had no way to monetize its value so we added it to our estate collection.
Everything we know about it comes from testing the components, looking at the construction technique and overall design. There are no maker marks, hallmarks, or gold content stamps anywhere. We also feel the two major components were not originally made to be used together.
The charm/clasp portion is style in an oval love knot design measuring 28.5mm x 24.9mm. It contains a large, bezel set, cabochon cut, crimson garnet, that is estimated to weigh 12 carats. It display excellent colour saturation and very high clarity. The overlapping oval rings have been hand engraved with a floral vine pattern. The ornate bracelet measures close to 10mm wide and 8 1/4 long (including the clasp). Each of the hollow oval and fleur de lit design links display a faceted and polished finish.
The clasp and bracelet sections have been acid tested to approximately 14 karat gold. Hollow construction doesn’t mean this bracelet is light weight and flimsy. It weighs in at a substantial 27.3 grams and remains in very good condition despite being at least 100 years old. The connecting rings show little to no wear, the back of the clasp displays a couple minor impact marks.
We opted to leave the bracelet in original condition. We didn’t polish the clasp or links, only a warm ultrasonic cleaning was required to prepare it for presentation. Polishing would soften the beautiful hand engraving and faceted link edges. This antique bracelet is estate priced at $2,450.00 CAD. Stock #241-00088.
July 25, 2024
1968 Rolex Air-King Date 5700 box/papers & original invoice. $6,500.00 CAD. 505-00099
Get em while you can. Oddities like the Rolex Air-King-Date are still relatively accessible in Canada and other Commonwealth countries but this is not a common watch.
Searching the internet reveals just how uncommon the Air-King-Date truly is on an international level. The rest of the world received Air-Kings with just a simple three-hand display without a calendar; the Rolex 5500 and two-tone 5501 outnumber commonwealth market “Date” models 5700 and 5701 by about 7 or 8 to 1 by our estimate.
Even though the Air-King Date is far more rare, and it offers a useful calendar display, they don’t sell for any more than the common no-date models. Our latest stainless steel Air-King-Date could very well be the rarest currently on the market. This watch comes with the original 7205/57 date coded (3/69) 13-link riveted Oyster bracelet.
I don’t know of a single other example that also comes with the original box, warranty booklet, plastic sleeve, and the original sales invoice. The invoice is from Eaton’s in Toronto and shows a purchase price of $175.00 plus 5% sales tax, on December 30, 1969.
The other interesting thing about this watch is the attractive champagne patina on the silver dial. The colour shift is uniform and almost complete. The tritium hour plots are fully intact except for one that is partially missing.
We also believe this watch has never been refinished as the lugs remain thick with appropriate edges.
The Oyster bracelet shows moderate sag with a little stretch but is fine for everyday wear and has decades of life left.
The flat buckle is prone to acquiring small scuffs and scratches but the coronet logo is still decently defined.
Despite their rarity, these watches are among the most affordable Rolex on the market. Rolex has always described these to have a case diameter of 34mm, our measurement with a digital micrometer confirms the actual size is an easy 35 plus mm. The comfortable size and light weight of less than 72 grams make them a great choice for a slim wrist. The Air-King Date features an extremely sturdy and reliable calibre 1520.
This 26-jewel automatic winding mechanism was initially developed in 1957 and stayed in service until the late 1980s. A more than 30-year run speaks volumes for reliability. This watch is running well and comes with our 1-year complimentary warranty. It is estate priced at $6,500.00 CAD. Stock #505-00099.
July 24, 2024
0.54ct. VS2-OP natural diamond, good cut, 5.2mm diameter, $500.00 CAD. 191-00160
If you’re a savvy buyer you may be able to buy a better and larger lab-grown diamond for less, but in the end that lab-grown diamond will be exponentially more expensive. In the market right now, any lab-grown diamond under 1.00 carat has almost no value on the secondary market. A quick search on our data base shows high quality lab-grown round brilliant cut diamonds of at least 1.00 carat, have retail prices of only around $186.00 USD (plus shipping). Granted our retail prices are usually far better than most, but this screenshot shows high quality 1.00 carat lab-grown for under $200.00 USD.
We’re not trying to be disruptive to the lab-grown market; we’re just demonstrating the need to learn the difference between price and value. Lab-grown diamonds can be amazingly beautiful, just like natural diamonds, but don’t expect them to be worth anything should you want to upgrade to something larger or trade them in for a natural diamond. From a technical point of view, our latest estate diamond isn’t a good as any of those $200.00 lab-grown diamonds. It’s only half the size, has a lower colour, isn’t perfectly cut, but it’s natural, still twinkles like a nice diamond should, and most importantly, it has residual value when you want to trade it in for something larger or if you want to reset it into a different piece of jewellery. It is at least 1 billion of years old, and is one of mother natures greatest miracles. For only $500.00 this diamond showcases the difference between value and price.
As long as their is natural diamond market this diamond will have value, but even in a robust lab-grown diamond market, a 1.00 carat lab-grown has no value once you buy it. This diamond would make a great solitaire engagement ring for someone who wants a decent size on a limited budget. You can still be proud to say, “it’s natural” when someone askes is it real? 0.54 carat natural diamond, eye-clean VS2 clarity, warm OP colour, fluoresces slightly blue under longwave ultraviolet light, good to very good cut (5.2mm average diameter), and estate priced at just $500.00 CAD. Stock #191-00180.
July 23, 2024
3.50ct. tw ruby & diamond tennis bracelet, 14 grams, 14 karat yellow gold, 7″. $2,600.00 CAD. 441-00384
Favorite colour red, fortieth anniversary, born in July, or do you like just quality jewellery? These are only some of the reasons you may want to take a closed look and this ruby and diamond bracelet. When looking for matching gems, it is much easier to find them in large numbers if you don’t care to much about the quality. That’s why most of the multi-stone jewellery designs you are likely to encounter have only average quality coulored stones. Dark inky blue sapphires, pale opaque emeralds, are dull poorly cut rubies are are the norm for your typical jewellery store.
This bracelet displays 23 bright vivid red natural rubies that a quite well matched in size, colour, and transparency. They are separated by 23 sections of 5 round brilliant cut diamonds showcasing SI2-I1-HI quality. The rubies are estimated to weigh 2.00 carats in total, and the 115 diamonds 1.50 carats total weight. The clever design gives the illusion of a ribbon of diamonds wrapping around the straight line of rubies.
Each of the 23 links are individually hinged and show no wear or stretch. The bracelet links are tight enough, that despite the round looking profile, it is impossible for this bracelet to roll on its side or upside down. The upgraded 14 karat yellow gold bracelet weighs 14 grams and measures 7 inches in length.
It is secured by a white gold plunger clasp with white gold tongue and an additional side safety clasp. For the cost of just a simple gold bracelet of the same weight, you can have something far more visually interesting with colourful bright red rubies and white natural diamonds. This bracelet is estate priced at $2,600.00 CAD. Stock #441-00384.
