New York-based Jennifer Leitman Bailey has a deep love and enthusiasm for jewelry, but she’s all business when determining fair market value for her clients’ pieces.
An appraiser’s role is a wide-ranging one, from learning about different types of jewelry to handling sensitive situations impartially. Jennifer Leitman Bailey — a graduate gemologist and a member of the Appraisers Association of America (AAA) — launched her private practice after working at auction houses Doyle and Christie’s. There, she had the opportunity to handle pieces from all eras and become an expert in colored gemstones and diamonds.
“Many other people in the business sell and buy. I don’t do any of that,” she tells the Jewelry Connoisseur Podcast. “For me, it’s strictly seeing the jewelry, falling in love with the jewelry, and putting a value on it.”
In this episode, Leitman Bailey shares some of her most challenging valuation stories, often involving people who were misled about the actual worth or quality of their jewels. She also has a wealth of advice for collectors about purchasing pieces that will hold their value.
“Natural diamonds, signed pieces, gem-quality colored stones with certification — you can’t go wrong,” she says.
To find out more, click below and listen to the podcast.
This episode — along with the two previous seasons — is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube.
The Jewelry Connoisseur Podcast is hosted by Rapaport Editor in Chief Sonia Esther Soltani, and produced and edited by Vanina Pikholc.
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