Posted on: Saturday, January 8, 2005
ISLAND TREASURES
Rolex real, but not real valuable
By Brenda Reichel
Q. I inherited my mother's Rolex watch, with diamonds. I know there are fake Rolex watches that are almost exactly like the real ones. How do I know if this one is a real Rolex or a fake? I do not have a Rolex box. My mother's Rolex is marked 18Kt, with diamonds.
— Susan, Manoa.
A. The Rolex watch company is most known for its men's watch line. The men's watches are highly collectable. Lady's watches are not as highly collected. Rolex produces watches in stainless steel, 14-karat gold, 18-karat gold and platinum.
From the markings on your watch, you have an 18-karat yellow and white gold Cellini watch manufactured by Rolex.
The movement has 31 jewels and is not a quartz battery movement. Rolex uses only VVS clarity diamonds E-F in color.
The diamonds are graded using the clarity and color system developed by the Gemological Institute of America. You can learn more about the diamond grading system from www.gia.edu. Rolex also has a site with information about its watch styles, www.rolex.com.
The model you have originally sold for about $4,500 in the early 1970s. Now this watch would have a value in the auction and estate market of $1,250. Women's Rolexes just don't hold their value the way men's do. The original Rolex box would have a value of $100.
— Pamela, Hale'iwa A. The fitted jewelry box you have was made for a stud and button set. Of the three pieces you have, two match and are faux-diamond buttons for a gentleman's shirt from the late 1800s to early 1920s.
The gemstones are faceted old-mine cut glass. The metal is gold-filled. Two of them are from the same manufacturer, the third stud is set with a different style of prongs.
You can find stud buttons on the Internet and in antique jewelry stores. Your set is not complete. You need at least three to five buttons studs to complete the set.
Value, if complete, is $150.
Brenda Reichel is the owner of Carats & Karats Fine Jewelry. She is a graduate gemologist (Gemological Institute of America) and a member of the International Society of Appraisers, National Association of Jewelry Appraisers, and Accredited Gemologists Association. Reichel is the host of "Gemnews," a weekly radio program on KWAI 1080AM, which airs 6 p.m.-7 p.m. Saturdays.
Have a family treasure and wondering what it's worth? Send your questions, along with a picture of the item, to Reichel at Carats & Karats, 1254 S. King St., Honolulu, HI 96814, or flawless@lava.net.
Q. I found this box of jewelry in the back of my grandmother's jewelry chest. She passed away 26 years ago at the age of 100. I am not sure what they were used for, they look like earrings. Any information you can give me would be really appreciated.
