You found jewelry — in your mother's old jewelry box, at the back of a drawer, in a jacket you haven't worn in years, at an estate sale. You picked it up. You looked at it. You saw marks you don't understand. You don't know if it's valuable or costume. You don't know what to do first.
Look at the piece under good light. Find every mark, stamp, or number. Photograph them. Note the metal color — is it consistent, or does it change at the edges? These observations are your starting evidence. You don't need to identify anything yet.
Start by looking for marks. Numbers like 750, 585, or 925 indicate precious metal. A karat mark (10k, 14k, 18k) means gold. Look at the stones under good light — do they have the depth and fire of genuine gems, or do they look glassy? These observations suggest possibility. They do not establish value. For that, you need professional assessment.
Observe before you act. Look for marks under good light. Photograph everything — the whole piece, any marks, any damage. Note the metal color and whether it's consistent. Check if stones are loose. Do not clean, polish, or test the piece until you understand what you have. Your first job is documentation, not identification.
The legal answer depends on where you found it and local laws. Found property laws vary by jurisdiction. If you found it in a public place, you may have a legal obligation to attempt to find the owner. If you found it in your own home among inherited belongings, it is likely yours. For significant finds, consult local regulations.
No. Cleaning can erase evidence — patina that indicates age, hallmarks that have worn thin, surface characteristics that help identify the piece's origin. A jeweler or appraiser will want to see the piece in its found condition. Clean it only after you understand what it is and what cleaning method is safe.
