Residents trade jewelry, heirlooms for cash

Jack Dau of Sun City West made a quick sale of some jewelry and coins Saturday.

Two small engagement rings - one that belonged to his wife, the other his mother-in-law - netted him $128.

It didn't seem like much, but it was better than having the jewelry sit in a drawer, he said.

"They were kind of irrelevant," Dau said of the rings. "My mother-in-law is gone, and my wife's finger is too big for the ring and it was too thin to be expanded. They were just sitting there."

Dau was one of a steady stream of customers lined up to have their jewelry, coins and various antiques appraised in hopes of cashing in on their unwanted heirlooms at the Maricopa County Events Center in Sun City West this past weekend.

Wanda Jones, owner of BMJ Estate Specialists, which hosted the event, said the company has about three buying events each year in Sun City West. She expected about 300 people each day of the four-day event.

Items bought by BMJ are, by law, required to be held for 10 days in order to assure that they were not stolen goods.

After that, the items are sold through various channels. Gold may be melted, and other items are distributed both locally and nationally.

Just don't look for it on eBay.

"We don't sell or buy on eBay," Jones said.

Jones said the majority of items being brought in for appraisal and sale are mostly jewelry and coins. Sometimes people bring in their gold and porcelain teeth. Religious artifacts are also common.

"But we also see lots of sterling flatware," Jones said. "No one wants to polish silver anymore."

Jeri Ahrens of Sun City West made two trips to the event, first selling an array of collectible coins and artifacts and then returning Saturday to sell some of her father's and mother's rings, with the blessing of her sisters, who also didn't want them.

Gary Feldman, one of the appraisers, said that the company doesn't pay retail prices, which can be three times the item's worth.

Ahrens was satisfied with the sale, though, and said she would be splitting the check with her sisters.

Loretta and Raymond Orwat of Sun City West waited to have their piano mandolette appraised.

The instrument was made in the Phelan Building in San Francisco prior to the 1906 earthquake. They acquired it when they purchased an entire estate more than 30 years ago.

When asked why they were selling the item, Loretta said it was the right time.

"I'm going to be 80 years old," she said. "Time is going by, and it's time for someone else to enjoy it."

The couple was anxious about what the value would be, as they said that they had it appraised 20 years ago, and its value was about $1,200.

They ended up taking the piano mandolette home Saturday, though, when they were offered $600 for it by BMJ.

Joy Slagowski may be reached at 623-876-2514 or jslagowski@yourwestvalley.com.