I have just learned this story which was related to me by one of our customers that on Sunday at regular lady buyer took a liking to a brooch being sold on one stall, the buyer agreed to pay the asking price of £5.00 for the item. So pleased was the buyer she wanted the brooch professionally cleaned so she took it to her local jeweller who took such a liking to the brooch he offered her ‘there and then’ £550.00 in cash to buy it. Our buyer did the sensible thing and declined the kind offer just asking the jeweller to clean the brooch.

Good thinking to hold on to the item and perhaps get a second opinion. She collected the cleaned brooch and is so pleased that she has decided not to sell it but to keep it!
Several years ago we did a house clearance in Falmouth when Lou found a five diamond gold engagement ring amongst some of the items from the clearance. She took it to Michael Spires the jeweller’s at the bottom of Lemon Street in Truro who checked the ring, they offered her the paltry sum of £25.00
She took it to another jewellers in Cathedral Lane, Truro who also checked the ring, ‘yes it was 18 carat gold and yes the small diamonds were real’ an yes they made her a much more realistic £350.00 offer in cash with a receipt for the ring which Lou accepted. Moral of the story is to get at least two opinions but all jewellers have to make their profits so the shop that paid Lou the £350.00 should make at least 60% profit when they re-sell the ring so you can well imagine the profit Spires would have made with their higher than high prices. Lou did phone to try to speak with Spires but they refused to discuss their derisory offer.

Always but always get a second or even a third opinion but don’t get taken to the cleaners by shops you believe to be acting with honesty and integrity in purchasing expensive jewellery from the unsuspecting ‘but not stupid’ general public FFS! And by the way if you have a dilemma regarding jewellery and want an honest opinion we have many regulars who deal in jewellery so ask me (I know nothing) and I will make a couple of recommendations of people who will give an honest valuation if required.
Geoff
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