We buy estate jewelry in Miami at maker premium, not melt value. Signed pieces from Cartier, Tiffany & Co., Van Cleef & Arpels, Bulgari, Harry Winston, Buccellati, and Boucheron. GIA-graded loose and mounted diamonds. Antique and period jewelry from the Georgian, Victorian, Edwardian, Art Deco, and Retro eras. Full estate collections handled in our Surfside showroom or on-site for collections over $250,000 anywhere in the United States.
Here is what most Miami estate jewelry buyers will not tell you: nearly all of them pay melt value on the gold and pocket the difference when they resell the piece intact. A Cartier solitaire engagement ring is worth far more than its gold weight. A Buccellati cuff is worth far more than the silver in it. CJ William pays for the jewelry value, not the scrap value, because we know what signed work, period craftsmanship, and certified stones are actually worth. That is the wedge.
What Estate Jewelry We Buy in Miami
Signed Designer Jewelry
The strongest category for collector and maker premium. Cartier (Love bracelets, Trinity rings, Tank watches, Panthère pieces), Tiffany & Co. (Schlumberger, Elsa Peretti, Paloma Picasso, vintage Tiffany & Co. signed pieces), Van Cleef & Arpels (Alhambra, Vintage Alhambra, signed parures), Bulgari (Serpenti, Bzero1, Tubogas, vintage signed), Harry Winston (cluster pieces, the Winston Wreath), Buccellati (Tulle, Macri, signed silver), Boucheron, Chopard, Graff, Mikimoto pearls. Original box and papers add 10 to 20 percent. Engraved pieces are evaluated case by case.
GIA-Graded Diamonds
Loose diamonds and mounted diamonds with current GIA certs are priced off the cert and the live Rapaport sheet. We also accept AGS, HRD, and GCAL graded stones. Uncertified diamonds are removed (where appropriate) and graded on site by our GIA-trained staff. For the full diamond process see the We Buy Diamonds in Miami page.
Antique and Period Jewelry
Georgian (1714 to 1837), Victorian (1837 to 1901), Edwardian (1901 to 1915), Art Nouveau (1890 to 1910), Art Deco (1920 to 1935), and Retro (1935 to 1950) period pieces. Old mine cut, old European cut, and rose cut diamonds. Natural pearls (vs cultured) tested for authenticity. Cameos, mourning jewelry, micromosaic, enamelwork, and other period craftsmanship. Hallmark verification and period-appropriate authentication on site.
Estate Gold Settings and Modern Non-Signed
Engagement rings, wedding bands, cocktail rings, tennis bracelets, eternity bands, and modern non-signed pieces in 10K, 14K, 18K, 22K, and 24K gold, plus platinum settings. Stones removed and valued separately where it benefits the seller. Gold settings paid at melt plus a 10 to 20 percent workmanship premium where the piece has clean design and good condition.
Pearls, Jade, and Colored Stones
Natural pearls (South Sea, Tahitian, Akoya, vintage natural strands) tested and valued. Imperial jadeite (with credible documentation), untreated emeralds, sapphires (Kashmir, Burma, Ceylon, Padparadscha), rubies (Burma pigeon blood and others). Lab certs from GIA, GRS, AGL, SSEF, or Gübelin strongly preferred. Treated stones are valued accordingly and disclosed honestly.
How CJ William Compares to Other Miami Estate Jewelry Buyers
| Buyer Type | Signed Designer (Cartier, Tiffany, VCA) | Antique & Period Pieces | GIA Diamonds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pawn shop | Melt only, maker premium destroyed | Melt only, period premium destroyed | 30 to 45 percent of wholesale |
| Mall-style “Cash for Gold” | Melt only | Melt only | Often refuses or pays scrap on the gold |
| Auction house consignment | 50 to 70 percent of hammer, paid 60+ days later, plus seller commission | 40 to 65 percent of hammer, paid 60+ days later | 40 to 60 percent of wholesale, 60+ days later |
| CJ William Surfside | 50 to 75 percent of secondary retail, paid same day or same week | Collector premium based on era, maker, condition | 50 to 65 percent of dealer wholesale |
How the Process Works
- Initial contact. Call (347) 510-0668, WhatsApp, the inquiry form, or walk into the Surfside showroom at 9573 Harding Avenue during business hours. For large estates we travel.
- Examination on site. Hallmarks, maker marks, period indicators, stone testing on XRF for metal purity, loupe inspection of diamonds and colored stones, certificate verification.
- Grading where needed. Uncertified diamonds graded by our GIA-trained staff. Colored stones evaluated for origin and treatment. Pearls tested for natural vs cultured. You watch the process.
- Written, itemized offer. Per-piece line items showing maker, period, metal weight and purity, stone weights and grades, and price. Time to review and decide.
- Payment. Same-day cash for transactions under $25,000 (with ID and Form 8300 for cash above $10,000), same-week wire for any size, USDC or USDT available for digital-asset preferred clients.
- Documentation. Bill of sale showing every piece individually. Suitable for CPA, IRS, estate probate, and insurance records.
Estate Liquidations and Probate Sales
Estate jewelry is one of our strongest categories. Inherited collections, full safe deposit box contents, signed designer estates, antique family pieces, and modern collections regularly come through our Surfside showroom and our traveling appraisal service. We coordinate directly with the estate attorney, executor, fiduciary, or trustee. We provide written valuations suitable for probate and IRS step-up basis documentation. We structure payment to the estate account or to individual beneficiaries as the estate plan requires. This service is part of CJ William’s broader luxury asset liquidation practice for South Florida estates.
Frequently Asked Questions
What estate jewelry does CJ William buy in Miami?
Signed designer jewelry from Cartier, Tiffany & Co., Van Cleef & Arpels, Bulgari, Harry Winston, Buccellati, Boucheron, Chopard, Graff, and Mikimoto. GIA-certified loose and mounted diamonds. Antique and period jewelry from the Georgian, Victorian, Edwardian, Art Nouveau, Art Deco, and Retro eras. Estate gold settings, vintage cocktail rings, eternity bands, brooches, and pearl jewelry.
How is CJ William different from other estate jewelry buyers in Miami?
Most local buyers pay melt value on the gold and ignore the jewelry value. A Cartier solitaire ring is worth far more than its gold weight, but a pawn shop will pay you for the metal and pocket the difference when they resell it. CJW pays for the jewelry value: maker premium on signed pieces, period premium on antique work, and certified-stone premium on graded diamonds.
How are estate jewelry offers calculated?
Signed designer pieces typically 50 to 75 percent of secondary market retail. GIA-graded loose diamonds typically 50 to 65 percent of dealer wholesale. Antique and period pieces priced at collector premium based on era, maker, and craftsmanship. Modern non-signed jewelry at melt value plus 5 to 20 percent for workmanship. Costume jewelry explained honestly and declined where appropriate.
Do you buy loose diamonds and mounted diamonds?
Yes. Loose diamonds with GIA, AGS, HRD, or GCAL certs are priced off the cert and the current Rapaport sheet. Mounted diamonds are removed, graded if uncertified, and priced separately from the setting. See the We Buy Diamonds in Miami page for the full process.
Do you buy antique and period jewelry?
Yes, and this is one of our strongest categories. Georgian, Victorian, Edwardian, Art Nouveau, Art Deco, and Retro period pieces valued at collector premium when craftsmanship and condition support it. Hallmark identification and period-appropriate testing on site.
Can CJ William handle full estate jewelry collections?
Yes. For collections over $250,000 we travel anywhere in the United States. We coordinate directly with the estate attorney, executor, fiduciary, or trustee. We provide written valuations suitable for probate and IRS step-up basis documentation.
Do you require ID to sell estate jewelry in Florida?
Yes. Florida law requires precious metals and secondhand jewelry dealers to verify the seller’s identity and record the transaction. For estate sales we also work with executor letters and probate documents to confirm legal authority to sell.
How does the process work?
Bring the pieces (or send insured photos for an estimate). On site we examine hallmarks, grade stones, weigh on certified scale, and test materials on XRF. Written itemized offer with maker, period, weights, and grades. Payment same day under $25,000 or same-week wire for any size. Bill of sale suitable for CPA, IRS, estate, and insurance.
Ready to Sell Your Estate Jewelry?
Bring the pieces to the Surfside showroom for a written offer the same visit. Out of state, or handling an estate? Send photos for an initial range, ship insured, or we travel for collections over $250,000.
This page is part of Luxury Asset Liquidation in Miami. See also We Buy Gold, We Buy Silver, and We Buy Platinum in Miami. CJ William, 9573 Harding Avenue, Surfside, FL 33154. Sunday through Friday, 11:00 AM to 5:30 PM. Invoicing entity: David and Sons Watches LLC.
Cartier Watches in Estate Collections
Cartier is one of the few brands that crosses both fine jewelry and luxury watches. For estate collections that include Cartier wristwatches alongside the jewelry, see our dedicated Cartier Watch Worth 2026 guide covering Tank, Santos, Pasha, Ballon Bleu, and rare vintage Crash, Tortue, and Cintrée references.