Investment in the jewellery market by François Würz

With a low return on money in the bank, everyone is in a position to ask themselves the question of how to avoid losing their savings and diversify their capital. But how to choose? What is the right investment in the art market? How to be sure of the authenticity of an object? We will develop this analysis through several articles on different sectors, including today's article on the jewelry market.

The high end of the market

Why start with jewelry? Simply for an obvious reason: jewelry has always been synonymous with investment. Some nuances will be brought in the course of the article.

The first thing is to buy something that you like and that you understand. The number one rule is also to always buy (if you can) the top of the range. Even if the market collapses, what is at the top of the basket will maintain its value or regain it after the "storm" has passed.

Fashion trends

The second rule is to avoid, if possible, the effects of fashion. For example: the "Alhambra" necklace from Van Cleef and Arpels, which is so popular today (and whose price in second-hand stores is sometimes close to that of a new one) may very well end up being forgotten for a while, only to reappear a little later.

The budget

The third rule is to know that the budget, if it is a brake, should not make us forget that it does not prevent us from making good deals at every level.

A brief overview of the jewelry markets.

The market for antique jewelry is plagued by the wars in the Middle East which have made it suspect.
Medieval, Renaissance and 18th century jewelry represent a niche in the jewelry market. The jewelry collections of the nineteenth century whether signed (Wiese, Castellani, Giuliano, Lalique, etc. ...) or not seem to attract today only a more informed public. While Art Deco jewelry (Belperron, Templier, Fouquet, Lacloche, etc..) by their side "design" have the wind in their sails.

Jewelry from the 40's (tank bracelet, inseparable, etc...), 50's (palm trees, birds, etc...), 60's and more recent are beginning to find their place on a market where it is difficult to find merchandise, as it is true that Art Nouveau and Art Deco have only developed over a decade.

Some great designers, such as Dior or Chanel, Hermès, have started to make jewelry in precious materials (after having had "fancy" creations) which are to be followed in the future.

The "cinema" and "couture" jewelry can also be kept in the corner of the eye as this market has developed from the United States. Diamonds and colored stones (ruby, sapphire, emerald) of more than 3 carats if they have a certificate from an independent and known laboratory and if they are of good quality are still an investment with reservations that we will discuss in a future article.
The big brands, such as VCA, Cartier, Bulgari, Boucheron, Buccellati, Chaumet, Tiffany, Zolotas, etc... are reassuring and always find buyers.

And if the price/material ratio can sometimes seem exaggerated, the brand offers a precious sesame on foreign markets. The risk comes from forgeries which are multiplying due to the demand.

The intervention of an expert becomes necessary and recommended.