While some auction houses cater exclusively to collectors and investors looking to buy and sell items worth hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars, jewelry auctions are accessible to sellers with a wide variety of items to sell.
Worthy.com, for example, accepts jewelry worth as little as $1,000 and diamonds that are at least .7 carat —which would account for many engagement rings and other items. Get a free estimate on your jewelry in minutes from Worthy.com >>
Online jewelry auctions vs. traditional auctions
Interested in potentially selling your jewelry through an auction? Below’s a look at some of the best jewelry auctions online you might be considering, as well as our top recommendation.
- Best jewelry auction site
- Reviews of other jewelry auction sites
- Frequently asked questions about jewelry auctions
If you really prefer to keep your jewelry, but need the cash ASAP, consider a jewelry loan, including from our recommended partner Diamond Banc, with an A+ BBB rating and loans starting at 2.5% APR. Check out our Diamond Banc review.
Best online jewelry auction site: Worthy
Worthy.com is an online auction site that focuses on diamond and branded jewelry. It’s also our #1 recommendation for a jewelry auction site. This means that for most people looking to sell jewelry like a diamond engagement ring, bracelet, earrings, necklace, or another piece of jewelry or timepiece, Worthy is the place to beat. The site is very interested in branded items like Tiffany, Cartier and Rolex.
Why do we recommend Worthy above the other options listed below? For a number of reasons:
- Trust: Worthy has an B+ rating with the BBB and a score of 4.6 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot calculated from more than 3,700 customer reviews.
- Audience: The only buyers allowed to participate in Worthy’s auctions are professional jewelry buyers who are willing to pay up for truly valuable pieces of jewelry.
- Control: Sellers have full control over the minimum sale price that will be listed for their item.
- Ease: Selling your item jewelry through Worthy is as easy as it gets, and you can start the whole process in a matter of minutes.
- Safety: Worthy will provide you with a free, trackable, and insured FedEx mailer to ship your jewelry to them for evaluation and eventual sale, and items are insured up to $100,000 from Lloyds of London.
- Speed: Once your item sells, you’ll be paid within 24 hours of the sale’s close. The whole process takes about two weeks.
Selling your jewelry through Worthy works like this:
- Go to Worthy.com, select the type of jewelry you are looking to sell, and click “Get started”
- Describe the piece of jewelry you are interested in selling. This will include the setting, shape, carat weight, color, clarity, and brand of your item.
- Enter your name, email address, and phone number, and you will receive an estimated price for your item.
- You’ll then be contacted by a member of Worthy’s customer service team to answer any questions you may have and to explain the process moving forward.
- If you would like to proceed, Worthy will send you a free, insured FedEx mailer to send your item to them for a formal appraisal.
- Ship the item.
- Your item will then be officially appraised and Worthy will tell you the market value that it believes your jewelry can sell for. This will typically be provided in a range of likely sales prices. As a part of the appraisal process, you will receive a free GIA certificate for your stone(s).
- If you would like to proceed with auctioning your jewelry, you will need to set a reserve (or minimum) sale price, and then your item will be listed.
- If your item sells, you’ll be paid within 24 hours of the sale.
Read my full review of Worthy here.
Some recent Worthy auctions:
Of course, Worthy does not accept every piece of jewelry. Typically, they will only accept diamond jewelry, like engagement rings, that will likely sell for at least $1,000. That typically means it will have a center stone that is at least half a carat in size. That’s why it’s a great option for auctioning estate jewelry online, since estate jewelry often holds a lot of value.
If your jewelry does not contain a diamond or is worth less than $1,000, you may be better suited selling to an online metal or diamond buyer, such as CashforGoldUSA and its sister site Diamonds USA (formerly CashforDiamondsUSA), both of which have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.
How to sell gold for the highest price in 2024
What you need to know about selling silver jewelry and heirlooms
Where and how to sell jewelry for the most money
Diamond resale value: Why is it so low?
Reviews of other online jewelry auction sites
Bidsquare.com review
Bidsquare is an online auction marketplace founded in 2014 that hosts live and timed online auctions from hundreds of auction houses, dealers, and galleries from around the world. The site reports that more than $500 million in bids have been placed on the site for items including jewelry, fine art, antiques, furniture, and collectibles like coins and figurines.
Jewelry brands on Bidsquare.com include Cartier, Tiffany, Louis Vuitton, Chanel, and Dior.
Unlike other auction sites, an individual seller can’t list an item directly on Bidsquare.com.
While you cannot get an appraisal from the site, Bidsquare does offer a directory of its auction house partners, including those that offer appraisal services.
Bidsquare is accredited by the Better Business Bureau with an A+ rating and 3.9/5 stars on Trustpilot.
How jewelry auctions on Bidsquare.com work
If you want to list an item on Bidsquare, you’ll have to do so through one of its partner auction houses. Each auction house has its own separate requirements and process of listing an item.
If you’re looking to bid on the site, you can register for a live auction or place an absentee bid, which allows you to set a max bid for an item if you are not able to bid during the auction period. Bidsquare will automatically bid on your behalf up to your max bid. The site also hosts “Buy Now” events where you can purchase items at a fixed price.
Pros of Bidsquare.com
- Only partners with 100% vetted auction houses
- Absentee bidding means bidders don’t have to be present to bid
- Mobile app for iOS and Android devices
Cons of Bidsquare.com
- Individual sellers cannot auction items directly through Bidsquare
- Does not provide appraisals
Christie’s review
Similar to Sotheby’s, Christie’s is a known and trusted international auction house with locations throughout the world. Christie’s sells jewelry through 26 auctions per year, as well on its website, and through private sales at its “Christie’s Salons” in London and New York.
These private sale salons are simply showrooms where estate jewelry is for sale at retail prices starting at $2,000.
Some of the most famous pieces of jewelry to pass through the Christie’s auction house include:
- The Oppenheimer Blue
- Le Grand Mazarin
- The De Grisogono emerald and diamond necklace
- and more
How selling jewelry with Christie’s works
To sell your old jewelry through a Christie’s auction, you will need to first navigate to their website and request an auction estimate. To request an estimate, you’ll need to describe your piece, upload up to 3 photos of your item, and upload any supporting documentation you may have.
If your item is accepted by Christie’s, they will provide a free estimate for a likely sale price of your item. A sales representative will contact you to discuss the best venue for selling your item, whether that is through a physical auction, private sale, or online event.
If your item sells during an auction, you’ll be paid 35 days after the sale of your item, so long as the buyer has made payment. If your item doesn't sell, Christie’s will contact you to discuss either relisting your item in a future auction or to coordinate your collection of the item.
Pros of Christie’s
- Christie’s is a trusted and well-known brand
- International customer base
- Free auction estimate when you submit photos online
- A Christie’s sales associate will help you decide which sales method makes most sense for your item: Auction, private, or online sale
- A- BBB rating
Cons of Christie’s
- Christie’s deals almost exclusively with high-value pieces of jewelry such as antique and designer pieces. It’s a good option if you’re looking for a high-end estate jewelry auction online, but not if you have lower-value items.
- If Christie’s passes on your item, it will not provide a free estimate. By comparison, Worthy provides a free estimate and GIA certification regardless of whether you ultimately sell through them.
- It takes 3 to 6 weeks to receive an estimate, which is a long time to wait. You will then need to wait weeks or months to actually sell your item at auction. By comparison, you will receive an initial estimate from Worthy in a matter of minutes, and your item can be listed for auction on the site within 7 days.
- Payment takes a long time after sale: 35 days after the close of sale, compared to 24 hours with Worthy.
- You are responsible for paying for shipping and insurance, etc. of your item.
- 3.1/5 stars on Trustpilot
What you need to know about selling platinum for the highest price
ebay
ebay continues to be one of the largest online marketplaces for selling new or used items, including jewelry. Founded in 1995, ebay has an A- rating from the Better Business Bureau.
How ebay auctions work
To sell on ebay, you have to make a profile and upload pictures/descriptions of the items you wish to sell. You can either list an item under Buy it Now to sell at a set price or put it up as an auction-style listing, where you name a starting price and buyers can bid on your item, driving up the price.
The highest bidder at the end of your auction period is contractually obligated to buy it. ebay typically takes a commission of 10-15% of the sale price.
Pros of ebay
- Access to 152 million active buyers
- List up to 200 items for free every month (you only pay a commission when they sell)
- Straightforward selling process
- Fast payment (within 2 business days of sale)
- ebay app allows you to quickly post new listings
- A- BBB rating
Cons of ebay
- With 19 million active sellers, you have a lot of competition
- Most ebay shoppers are bargain hunters, which means you might have trouble selling high-end items at a fair price
- Must be able to ship items quickly (typically within 24 hours)
- 1.2/5 stars on Trustpilot based on more than 12,000 customer reviews
Heritage Auctions review
Heritage Auctions is the largest collectibles auctioneer and the third-largest auction house in the world (it’s the largest founded in the U.S.). It was formed in 1976 and is based in Dallas, Texas, though it has offices throughout the world.
Among other major transactions, it auctioned actor John Wayne’s personal property and movie memorabilia for $5.4 million.
Heritage Auctions facilitates auctions for a wide range of collectibles, including:
- Coins and rare currency
- Fine and decorative art
- Vintage comic books and comic art
- Movie posters
- Entertainment and music memorabilia
- Jewelry and watches (including estate jewelry auctions online)
- Vintage and couture handbags
- Sports Collectibles
- Historical items
- Rare books and manuscripts
- Photography
- Fine and rare wine
- Luxury real estate
Heritage Auctions has an A+ accreditation with the Better Business Bureau.
How selling jewelry through Heritage Auctions works
Heritage Auctions only accepts certain types of jewelry, including:
- Antique fine jewelry 100+ years old
- Vintage fine jewelry 50+ years old
- Fine jewelry owned by a celebrity
- Large loose gemstones (unmounted diamonds, sapphires, rubies, etc.)
- Antique and vintage diamond and pearl necklaces
Heritage Auctions recommends people who want to sell their jewelry search the auction archives to determine its potential value. If your item meets one of the qualifying criteria above, you can request a free appraisal through the Heritage Auction website.
Heritage doesn’t openly publish its seller fees, but most reviews note a 10% or less commission rate.
Pros of Heritage Auctions
- 50+ years in business
- A+ BBB rating (accredited)
- Large, reputable auction house
- Accepts a wide variety of collectible items
- Provides free and confidential estimated valuations of property (fees apply for formal written appraisals)
Cons of Heritage Auctions
- Exclusively handles high-end jewelry sales (check out CashforGoldUSA/DiamondsUSA and Worthy for a wider range of jewelry sales)
- Doesn’t accept the following jewelry types: Costume jewelry, hat pins, comic watches or clocks, sterling silver jewelry, ivory jewelry
- Payments not made until 45 days after auction closes (Worthy pays within 24 hours)
- Long shipping times, up to 30 days
- 1.9/5 stars on Trustpilot based on only 10 reviews
HiBid review
HiBid is an online auction platform that provides auction services for everything from jewelry to antiques, china and silver flatware and tableware, art, cars, electronics, real estate, and more.
It is operated by parent company Auction Flex, which also operates other auction sites and brands focused on different categories. HiBid is primarily used by companies who are looking to host auctions for their goods, and is not really used by individuals looking to sell single pieces of jewelry.
How selling jewelry through HiBid works
HiBid caters to professional sellers and not individuals. If you are a professional seller looking to list a piece of jewelry for auction on the HiBid platform, you will need to navigate to their website (jewelry.hibid.com) and click on “Sell Stuff” in the menu.
You will then need to provide your name, phone number, email address, location, and a brief description of the item that you are looking to sell. A HiBid auctioneer that is local to you will contact you for additional details about your item as well as to answer any questions you may have.
HiBid supports three types of internet bidding, including
- Webcast Live Bidding: Internet bidders are able to bid in real time against bidders on the auction floor. This will require someone from your company operating the platform to interact with internet bidders.
- Internet-Only Bidding: This works much like you would find on a platform like eBay.
- Internet Absentee Bidding: This allows you to take bids on your items before the auction actually begins, allowing the price to immediately start higher when the auction officially begins.
Pros of HiBid
- If you are a professional seller such as a jeweler, jewelry store, collector, importer, etc., then a platform like HiBid can make sense for you
- Variety of online bidding options gives you flexibility when running your sale.
- A+ BBB rating (accredited) with 4.2/5 stars on Trustpilot
Cons of HiBid
- HiBid is primarily focused on catering to professional sellers, so the platform is not a good choice if you are an individual looking to sell a single piece of jewelry.
- HiBid is not a particularly well-known auction brand among everyday buyers.
- The website and platform are not very user-friendly. This makes it difficult for both the buyer who is looking for auctions as well as the seller who is looking for information or to list their items.
Invaluable.com review
Invaluable.com is a marketplace of items listed for auction by auction houses around the world. Individual sellers cannot directly list jewelry on Invaluable.com, but instead can list through one of its partner auction houses, which include Sotheby’s, Phillips, and Heritage Auctions.
Jewelry auctioned on Invaluable.com includes estate and antique jewelry, fine jewelry, and costume jewelry. Some notable brands include Tiffany and Rolex, though the majority of pieces appear to be unbranded.
Items auctioned on Invaluable.com include fine art, jewelry, collectibles, and furniture, with more than 475,000 bids placed each month. If you’re a bidder, Invaluable.com also offers an artist database so you can find items by a specific designer, brand or artist.
The site has an F rating from the BBB — though only one review stemming from a claim of a fake item being sold — and 3.8/5 stars on Trustpilot.
How jewelry auctions on Invaluable.com work
Auction houses pay a commission fee to have their items listed on Invaluable.com, which expands their reach and draws in more bidders.
Users register to bid during live auctions on the site and can place bids online or via phone during the auction period.
Pros of Invaluable.com
- Access to items from vetted auction houses from around the world
- Works with some of the top auction houses in the world
- Mobile app for iOS and Android devices
Cons of Invaluable.com
- Individuals cannot directly list items on Invaluable.com
- Does not offer appraisals
- Low BBB rating of F
Jewelry-Auctioned review
Jewelry-Auctioned is an online jewelry auction site that specializes in auctioning discount jewelry and gemstones to the site’s users. The company has been in business since 2005.
Only verified manufacturers and wholesalers are allowed to sell their jewelry through the website, so Jewelry-Auctioned isn’t a good choice for most individual sellers. That being said, buyers can find everything from bracelets and earrings to pearl, necklaces, pendants, rings, watches, and more on the platform.
How selling jewelry through Jewelry-Auctioned works
In order to sell on the Jewelry-Auctioned platform, you will need to be a jewelry manufacturer or wholesaler. If you are, you will need to apply to the company’s Verified Seller program and meet the following requirements:
- Must be knowledgeable and passionate about the jewelry trade and industry
- Must be able to offer competitive prices
- Provide business and professional references to prove that you own an established business
The application process is extensive, requiring multiple background checks and verification of your identity. If you are accepted, you will be placed on a 3-month probation which limits how many items you can list for sale. Probation will be lifted after 3 months of active selling as long as you have 95% positive feedback, 20 or more positive reviews, and meet other criteria.
Pros of Jewelry-Auctioned
- The stringent application process to sell on the Jewelry-Auctioned platform has ensured that the brand maintain a high sense of trust with buyers
- Commission rates are fairly low: ranging from a high of 10% on sales $1-$49 to a low of 5% on sales of $20,000 or more
Cons of Jewelry-Auctioned
- Jewelry-Auctioned only accepts items from verified wholesalers and manufacturers, which means that individuals cannot list their jewelry for sale on the platform. Worthy, on the other hand, allows anyone to submit their jewelry for auction so long as it meets their minimum $1,000 value threshold.
- The platform caters specifically to buyers of discount jewelry, which may make it more difficult to sell higher-end pieces.
Live Auctioneers review
Live Auctioneers was founded in NYC in the early 2000s. In 2002, they partnered with eBay to form eBay Live Auctions, and since then have expanded their own platform to include a website as well as Apple and Android apps that buyers can use to bid on auctions of art, jewelry, furniture, antiques, gold coins and silver coins, collectibles, fashion, and more. Auctions take place both in person and online through the platform.
How selling jewelry through Live Auctioneers works
Live Auctioneers does not actually run any auctions itself, but instead acts as an auction platform for professional auction houses. Individuals looking to sell items such as single pieces of jewelry can apply to consign their item by navigating to the website and filling out the form, which will include information like:
- Description of the item
- How you acquired the item (inheritance, purchase, etc)
- The category the item falls into
- A photo of the item
Your item will then be circulated among the more than 7,000 auctioneers that use the Live Auctioneers platform. If an auctioneer is interested in your item, they will contact you directly with next steps.
Pros of Live Auctioneers
- Long history and established brand
- Accredited with the BBB since 2015 with an A rating and 4.5/5 stars on Trustpilot
- Network of more than 7,000 auctioneers
- 13 million active bidders on the platform ensure you’re getting your item in front of a wide audience
Cons of Live Auctioneers
- You will only be contacted about your item if an auctioneer in the network is interested. Each auctioneer has their own standards and requirements.
- Estimates are not included as a part of the consignment process. By comparison, when you submit a piece of jewelry to Worthy you will receive a complimentary estimate as well as a GIA lab report for your diamonds.
Property Room review
Property Room is an online auction site and platform where buyers can bid on and purchase abandoned, seized, stolen, or surplus goods like cars, jewelry, watches, and more. The company was started in 1999.
Though the platform was originally just a place for law enforcement agencies to auction the items in their property and evidence room (where the site’s name comes from) it has since expanded to include partnerships with fire departments, parks, airports, and municipalities—totaling more than 4,000 total partnerships. Today, the site also allows certain select stores to list items, particularly during liquidations.
How selling jewelry through Property Room works
Currently, individuals can’t list their own items for auction or sale on Property Room. The platform is only available for law enforcement and municipal offices, and select retailers. Those interested in partnering with the site can navigate to the website and click “Earn with Property Room” in order to submit an application, which will ask for:
- Your name and title
- The agency or organization name
- City and state
- Phone number and email address
- How many officers in your agency (if applicable)
- And the specific category of items you are looking to auction (property and evidence, firearms, vehicles)
You will be contacted by a Property Room associate within a week of submitting the application.
Pros of Property Room
- A+ BBB rating
- Makes it easier for law enforcement agencies, fire departments, parks departments, and municipalities to auction lost, seized, abandoned, or stolen property
- Connects sellers with millions of bidders around the country
Cons of Property Room
- The platform is not accessible to individual sellers looking to auction off their personal property, whether jewelry or other items
- In many cases, property is seized from criminals, a concept that some buyers may not be comfortable with
Sotheby’s review
Sotheby’s is one of the most famous and prestigious auction houses. In fact, when you think “auction” this is probably the one that comes to mind, alongside Christie’s. Sotheby’s focuses primarily on fine art and high-end jewelry, watches (including Rolexes), fashion, collectibles, and even wine.
When it comes to jewelry, Sotheby’s tends to prefer designer pieces from well-known artists and creators, such as Bvlgari, Cartier, Chopard, Hermes, Tiffany, Van Cleef, and others. Sotheby’s boasts that it has sold 4 out of the 5 most expensive jewels ever offered at an auction, including:
- “CTF Pink Star,” a 59.60ct oval-cut Fancy Vivid Pink diamond sold in 2017 for $71.2 million at Sotheby’s Hong Kong.
- “Apollo & Artemis diamonds,” a 14.54ct Fancy Vivid Blue diamond and a 16ct Fancy Intense Pink diamond for $57.4 million at Sotheby’s Geneva.
While Sotheby’s is known for its extremely high-selling items, they do accept items of lower value as well. You can currently find pieces of jewelry as low as $1,620 listed on the “Buy Now” section of their site.
How Sotheby’s jewelry auctions work
To sell your jewelry with Sotheby’s, all you need to do is go to their website and click “Sell” in the navigation. You can then request a complimentary estimate online by submitting photographs of your jewelry, along with a brief description.
Within 5 to 7 business days, you will receive a free estimate on the value of your item, and it meets Sotheby’s quality standards and value threshold, the company will then offer placement in one of its scheduled auctions. These auctions take place throughout the year, both in person as well as online. If the item doesn’t meet these standards, then Sotheby’s may offer consignment placement on the “Buy Now” section of their website.
You can also request an in-person evaluation of your item by meeting with a specialist in the closest city with a Sotheby’s gallery. These include:
- New York City
- Las Vegas
- San Francisco
- Geneva
- Hong Kong
- London
- Paris
- Milan
- Tokyo
- Madrid
- Monte Carlo
If your item sells through an auction, you will be paid 45 days after the auction has closed. If you sell your item through consignment on the “Buy Now” section of their website, then you will receive payment 30 days after the buyer receives your item.
Sotheby's has a C- BBB rating and only 1.4 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot.
Pros of Sotheby’s
- Glamorous association and trusted name
- For truly high-value items, the venue will attract a high net worth clientele that may help push the final sale price higher
Cons of Sotheby’s
- Sotheby’s commissions are rather high: between 14.9% and 26%, depending on the final sale price of the items
- Commissions at international auction houses are typically 25%
- Sotheby’s only accepts higher-end jewelry, usually only name-brand pieces. CashforGoldUSA/DiamondsUSA and Worthy both accept a wider range of jewelry.
Frequently asked questions about jewelry auctions
How to sell jewelry at auction?
Typically, jewelry auction sites first vet your item to decide whether it meets their criteria before you send it in. More details on how auctions work:
How do jewelry auctions work?
While every auctioneer will have its own auction procedures, the process typically goes like this:
- Send your jewelry or diamonds to the auctioneer for evaluation (or take detailed photos)
- If your items are accepted, you’ll work with the auctioneer to set a minimum auction price
- Most auctioneers will clean and photograph your items to prepare for auction
- Your items will be listed over a set period of time, during which buyers can bid on your items
- Some auctioneers list your items online, while others hold live video or in-person auctions (and some do a combination of both)
- Accept or reject bids for your items
- Receive payment after a set amount of time (Worthy pays you within 24 hours) minus the auctioneer's commission
But before you sell your jewelry or diamonds at auction, you should have them appraised to determine their potential value.
You can search “jewelry appraisal near me,” but be aware that not every appraiser is an unbiased entity, nor will every appraiser provide you with a report that can be presented to an auctioneer.
If you want to sell your jewelry for the most money, Worthy offers a free lab report from the Gemological Institute of America, a nonprofit institution that provides an impartial report on the quality of your diamonds and gems. Worthy uses this report to determine the estimated value of your jewelry.
Get started now with a free estimate in minutes from Worthy.com >>
Are online jewelry auctions legit?
The short answer is: Yes, jewelry auctions are just as legit as any other kind of auction. That being said, while they don’t happen very often, auction scams are possible.
On the buying side of the equation, items may be misrepresented, which is typically only a concern with online auctions where you cannot view the whole item for sale. Additionally, it’s possible for prices to be inflated by fake bids. On the selling side, there are fewer risks.
This is why choosing the right auction house or auction site is so important. Reputable auction houses will have protections in place for both the buyer and the seller, and these protections should instill confidence in the entire process.
What’s the difference in price between a jewelry auction and selling direct to a jewelry buyer?
The primary difference lies in the mechanics of how the sale works.
When you sell to a jewelry buyer, you are selling your item to a single buyer. This means that it’s up to you to ensure that you are getting the best possible price for your item. Usually, this will involve comparison selling, where you will need to seek out offers from a number of different buyers.
When you sell through an auction, you are selling to multiple buyers. This ensures that when the item finally does sell, it goes to the individual who is willing to pay the highest price. The auction process itself can also drive the price higher than you might have gotten through a one-on-one sale, especially in cases where you’ve got a really valuable or in-demand item.
Bottom line: What is the best online jewelry auction?
When evaluating the best online jewelry auctions, Worthy.com stands out as the best online auction platform for jewelry, for a number of reasons: transparent process, excellent reputation, and great customer service.
With Worthy, it’s also very easy to get a quote and send your item for auctioning. Worthy only sells to a network of professional buyers, who the site notes are more likely to bid higher amounts for high-quality jewelry than the kind of buyers you might find on sites like eBay or elsewhere.
Of course, if you have an extremely valuable piece of jewelry, like a $4 million diamond tiara, you might be better served going with Christie’s or Sotheby’s. But in most cases, for an average engagement ring worth at least $1,000, Worthy is hard to beat >>
Yes, jewelry auctions are just as legit as any other kind of auction. That being said, while they don’t happen very often, auction scams are possible.
In most cases, Worthy.com stands out as the best online auction platform for jewelry, for a number of reasons: transparent process, excellent reputation, and great customer service.
