South Yorkshire residents urged to get jewellery valued after £1m sale

Auction house Bonhams is urging members of the public who have jewellery hidden away in boxes to get it valued as they could be sitting on a big payday.
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The company has given its annual ‘Jewellery in June’ campaign next month a theme of ‘What’s in the box?’.

According to the auction house, valuable jewels and gemstones are often set aside in jewellery boxes and are rarely worn due to changing tastes and lifestyles.

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In addition, the company added that people who inherit a safety deposit box full of jewellery are often unsure what to do with it and it can remain untouched for years.

As a result, throughout the whole of June, Bonhams is inviting people to access its network of jewellery specialists so that they can provide up-to-date market valuations. This is done on a confidential and without obligation basis. A valuation day will be held at Tapton Masonic Hall on June 7 between 10am and 2pm.

Simon Mitchell, jewellery specialist responsible for the Sheffield area for Bonhams, said: “Many people are paying high premiums to insure pieces that are rarely, if ever, worn. They are either sitting in a jewellery box at home or in a bank. Given a number of high street banks are currently abandoning or relocating their safety deposit services, now is an opportune time to get an up-to-date market valuation.

“Recently, a gentleman sought Bonhams’ advice with his family legacy of 88 pieces of period jewellery dating from the late 19th century to the 1930s. The extraordinary collection had been relegated to a safety deposit box.

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“The gentleman, surprised by the increase in value, instructed Bonhams to handle the sale of all the jewels which went on to sell for double and triple their estimated prices. The gentleman was absolutely delighted when we told him the final sale total had exceeded £1 million.”

As part of the campaign, Bonhams has released a short film on YouTube showing how easy it is to get a valuation.