Vintage – Almost Antique 14K Gold Charm Bracelet – A Sad Story
This is one of the most beautiful solid gold bracelets I've seen. The charms are huge and have tons of detail and are adorned with large jewels. It belongs to a friend of mine who acquired it from his mother's estate after her passing. He told me the story of how his father bought the charms one by one from an Italian gold jewelry dealer in the 1940s in New York City. The man owed his father favors and he repaid them by giving wholesale discounts on his jewelry wares. It's a sweet story.
Anyway now my friend is retired and on a fixed income and needs some expensive dental work. He's selling the bracelet to pay the bill. I wish he didn't have to go this route but he insists his teeth are worth more than any sentiment attached to the bracelet. So I'm trying to decide how to sell it safely and get the best price.
Ebay is scary these days because buyers have so much protection via pay pal. I've heard stories of people saying they received an empty box and pay pal will zap the money right back out of the sellers account without any questions asked. I certainly can't afford to let that happen. But I'm also leery of having someone come to my house via a Craig's list ad. I have a friend who works for a jewelry scrap dealer and I could see what the value would be if it was sent to the refinery. Does anyone have any opinions or other suggestions?
Category: Selling Vintage Jewelry
About the Author (Author Profile)
Wanda Fitzgerald is a Florida native and an vintage charm collector who loves to share her adventures in an e-commerce jewelry business with anyone who is interested.Subscribe
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What a truly lovely bracelet and those charms are magnificent. That heart shaped butterfly charm is something I’d give my right arm for! Well – perhaps not – but I’d seriously consider a small toe!
But the story behind it is so sad. As someone who is waiting to be able to afford the dental work my own teeth need, I can understand your friend’s sentiment.
But to be forced into selling such a wonderful old family heirloom to finance such a practical matter is sad.
I really hope you can get a great price for him and that the bracelet finds a home where it will be loved and worn as it deserves.
What about Ruby Lane? I have heard really good things about that site.
once you know the melt value you can talk to some charmers – we know several who love these large gorgeous pieces and would be thrilled to get a deal? ones you know you can trust. if you email me pictures i can put on my site also if you want? that is a glorious bracelet! and so wonderful of you to do for him, you rock.
Hello, I found your post by google-ing 14k charm bracelet. Looking for a bracelet that I can add “grandmother” charms to and eventually pass down. Please get in touch with me when you determine a selling price for this bracelet. I think it is lovely and would cherish the sentiment behind it
Thank you, Linda imlinda2@msn.com
Hi Linda, I’ll definitely contact you when I figure out how to price the bracelet. Thanks for letting me know.
Hi Wanda, Did you ever get a price determined for this bracelet? If you haven’t sold it yet, I would still be interested in hearing what your friend would like for it. Thanks so much, Linda imlinda2@msn.com
I’d like to replace two gold charms I’ve lost from the lovely bracelet my husband has been augmenting for 40 years. I’d be so grateful if you could locate replacements. One is a large disc (1-1/4′ – 1-1/2″ diameter, with a three-dimensional protruding home and car. (There were ruby/sapphire/jade bits as shrubs and flowers.) My husband found it @1983 to commemorate my remodel of our house — the house on the charm has a HIP roofline — and I’d argued with the architect to replicate our house’s HIP roof in the addition!) The other is a movable typewriter — the carriage rolls and the spring keyboard is a single piece with round keys, my husband bought me when I typed my dissertation myself (in 1981).
Thanks so much.
Pamela Keating
I am looking to see if you sold a heavy gold charm bracelet that was posted in 8/2010?
thank you
Lenore
leeeeeeo@aol.com
No I don’t think it was mine. I sell mostly silver.
What a beautiful bracelet and a beautiful story behind it.i think every charm bracelet has a story or some kind of sentimental value. Unlike Linda I wouldn’t do a thing to this bracelet its beautiful as it is. I came upon your web site because I also
along with my husband have begun to put together a gold charm bracelet. I own various sterling charm bracelets and have even made a few for my friends and family members as gifts,but have never owned a gold one. I am being choosy on what is going on my bracelet. I want it to be unique and not overloaded as the one depicted for your friend. I wouldn’t mind owning this bracelet. Please let me know what you will be asking for it. It definitly need to go to a person who will value and cherish it foreever.
Mary G-Whitehead
[...] Charm Chatter [...]
did you ever find out what the bracelet is worth? Did you sell it?
Looks like a really nice bracelet. I have one just like it that was from my mother in law. It has seven large charms on it that date back to 1963. I have a suggestion for you if you can. Hold on to it as long as you can. Word has it, gold will be going up to $1900 an oz. in 2012. That’s already worth a lot of money!!!
Hi, I would like to how what is the price & interested to buy if still available. Thanks!
Happy ending because the bracelet and charms are all sold.