The Jewellery and Silver department of Halls Fine Art Auction House is inviting entries for the next series of fine auctions.

Managed by specialist and qualified gemmologist Maryanne Lineker-Mobberley, clients can be assured all facets of jewellery, including, precious metals, diamonds, coloured stones, natural pearls, coral, jade and amber are assessed with confidence and knowledge.

The department reaches purchasers globally and has achieved some remarkable prices. It hosts three auctions annually at Halls flagship Battlefield salerooms. Past specialist auctions have included pieces by Cartier, Tiffany & Co, Wartski, Liberty and Co., Paul Storr and Faberge to name a few and therefore mean its appeal to the widest market it ever increasing. All auctions are available to view and bid online, providing vendors with the assurance that their items are given the maximum exposure to the international market thus enabling Halls to achieve the most competitive prices.

Maryanne asks whether owners are getting full value and enjoyment from family silver and jewellery; some of which is locked away, never to see day light. She says there are many examples where fabulous jewellery remains locked away because they are deemed too expensive to wear, have sentimental value or aren’t considered to be ‘on trend’ or fashionable.

Hefty insurance premiums are eating into the investment value of rarely worn jewellery placing owners in a predicament. “Owners often think they are sitting on an investment with jewellery that is kept locked away, but insurance premiums have a nasty habit of eating away at the potential gains” says Maryanne. ‘We increasingly find jewellery and silver is sold and the money is used to buy something that is more wearable or will bring more personal enjoyment.

Miss Lineker-Mobberley, an award-winning gemologist, is preparing to hold a free silver and jewellery valuation day at Halls’ Battlefield headquarters in Shrewsbury on Friday, August 18 from 10am to 2pm and is happy to make home visits to view collections and valuable individual items.

She is now busy consigning for Halls’ next Fine Silver and Jewellery Auction on October 18, building on the success of the latest auction in June when an Arts and Crafts shark skin box and cover, made for Liberty and Co and attributed to celebrated designer Archibald Knox, sold for £10,500.

An Arts and Crafts shark skin box and cover, made for Liberty and Co and attributed to celebrated designer Archibald Knox, that sold for £10,500.

Previous sale successes have included a diamond pendant which realised £118,000, an impressive emerald and diamond Victorian necklace realising £32,000, an amber bead necklace which sold for £22,000 and a natural pearl brooch at £30,000. Other highlights of silver sales are a cased silver castle top card case, Nathaniel Mills, Birmingham 1844 which sold for £2,100 and an early 20th century Chinese silver and enamel three piece tea service, Woshing, Shanghai 1870-1910 selling for £10,300.

Miss Lineker-Mobberley has noticed a definite swing towards jewellery set with quality, naturally coloured sapphires, emeralds and rubies in the past year and she expects this trend to continue.

“Sapphires, emeralds and rubies are increasing in value because buyers are looking for something a bit different. For example, cocktail type rings from the 1920s and ‘30s with bold coloured stones are back in vogue,” she said.

“Collectors are becoming more aware that good quality stones of natural colour, which have not been heat-treated, are few and far between and they can command the same price per carat as diamonds.”

Enjoying resurgence in popularity is jewellery from the 1970s, particularly by designer Andrew Grima who often worked with semi-precious stones and produced pieces with a bark or abstract finish.

Amber bead necklaces, particularly of a certain type, are still in high demand in Asia and Miss Lineker-Mobberley advises owners to seek her advice if they think they have potential valuable beads.

“Our next silver and jewellery sale in October is timed perfectly for private and trade buyers who are stocking up for Christmas,” she added. “Traditionally, it’s one of our busiest sales of the year.”

Contact Maryanne for a free and confidential valuation, or to discuss selling jewellery or silver in one of Halls Fine Auctions: Telephone: 01743 450 700 or email: maryanne@hallsgb.com