Jewelry

[aubnwa01]

I have a pretty substantial 20" 14K gold rope chain necklace that I've had for probably 20-25 years & wore pretty much daily with an 1878 French Lucky Angel 20 Franc gold coin on it.  Luckily, I noticed the lobster claw clasp was broken on the chain before I lost either the chain or the pendant.  I took it to my local jeweler who I've had do repairs before I trust to take a look at it.  They told me the clasp can't be repaired (something broke inside it & it's too small to fiddle with) & will need to be replaced.  The charge to replace just the clasp will be $125, which is probably only slightly less than what I originally paid for whole necklace, back when gold was cheap!  At least, they'll return the broken clasp to me as scrap gold.

ETA: They asked me how much the chain was worth & I said I had no idea since I've had it for so long.  She said based on the weight, it would be about $1K to replace it, so that's what she wrote for value.

[Drythe]

@aubnwa01 

I’m glad you didn’t loose your necklace and Coin!

It particularly resonates with me as I also wear an 1875 French ‘Guardian Angel’ coin on a 20” gold Chain.  Walking down the street in Amsterdam one day, I looked down and the tiny screw that holds the bail around the coin had come out, the bail was open @ 1/8”.

Was so grateful to still have it!  I had the screw replaced and soldered in.  Don’t remember what it cost.

[aubnwa01]

@Drythe  That teensy screw that holds the frame together around the coin has always made me nervous, too!  Fortunately, mine is still secure, but good idea about getting it soldered, or maybe a little Loctite on the screw & tighten it.

[chrystaltree]

Gold is at an all time high and it's still going up so $125 for a clasp seems pretty reasonable to me.  Thank heavens you noticed it before you lost it.  

[tobes]

@Drythe it's a good idea to take your chains and/or bracelets clasps checked periodically by A reputable jewler you trust   

[patbz]

After reading this thread I decided to generally price check just one old gold item via eBay. My four seasons baht bracelet ( never wear, its my insurance against a rainy day). Its over $12,000; bought in 1978 for $250.

[Drythe]

@patbz 

I understand.  After falling in love with the ‘Guardian Angel’ coins, I made

a bit of a collection of them.  They are 24 Kt, which I realize your baht necklace also may be, all but the one I wear lives in the vault.

Hope it doesn’t come to that rainy day!

[ECBG]

@aubnwa01 

Sounds like a nice piece.  Hope you got it repaired.

[SeaMaiden]

In 2013 I Sold most of my ridiculously heavy gold jewelry and my  angel gold coin I bought on Value vision.  I Bought when gold was $200 an ounce and sold high!  I never  wore  any of it and I did not want to keep it locked up. I have a few pieces I kept that I occasionally wear.