Nowadays, jewellery plays an increasingly important role in people's lives. And collectors' pursuit of jewelry has gone beyond the gems themselves, and they become more and more pursuing the value of design.
So who determines the value of jewellery design?
This is a good question.
For gems, we have pricing standards and market references, but there does not seem to be a fixed standard for the value of design, and aesthetics are a matter of opinion. When auction houses are valuing jewellery lots, in most cases they simply do not consider brand value and design value. If experts favour the design of a piece of work, it is almost certain that it will be a big hit at auction, but it will still only be evaluated from the gem and the crafting itself. So how does the value of design manifest?
In 2012, Cindy Chao's "Rebirth Butterfly Brooch" was sold at a hammer price of 5 times the estimated price of about one million US dollars. The multiple of the difference between the transaction price and the estimated price is the value of the design.
In 2020, Wallace Chan's "Fire Phoenix" brooch sold at HK$2,375,000, nearly three times more than the underestimated price. This gap also comes from the recognition of collectors.
Although we cannot judge the superiority of design by price, outstanding works that have been recognized since ancient times will certainly have matching high prices. Because the real value of design has always been left to the buyer to decide! Which works can have more value than the material is really measured by real money, which is very fair.
How to determines the value of jewellery design?
If it's you who determines the value judgment of the jewellery design, how should you judge it? Or rather, how should you choose the jewelry design?
Detail
In the 1980s and 1990s, gorgeous jewellery with many gems was very popular. At that time, people paid more attention to the overall effect than the delicate details. In 2000, especially after the 2008 economic crisis, the jewelry market as a whole returned to the pursuit of true and lasting value of jewelry, paying more attention to subtleties. When the most professional jewelry expert in the world gets a piece of work, he will definitely make an action, that is, turn the jewelry over, because an excellent design work should have stunning beauty from any angle.
Design
To judge the value of design, the design itself is of course very important. Whether a jewelry designer has his own design language and style, and whether he can always stick to his own style, gradually improve and dig in this style, are all things you need to consider. Buying jewelry is not just about buying materials. Of course, design is not just about drawing drawings, so you can focus on those works that combine infinite creativity and innovative techniques.
Wear
For the designer's work, wearing is definitely not negligible. They are not only cost-effective, but also more fashionable and easy to match. These works with unlimited creativity will definitely make you the most shining one in the crowd when you wear them. . When choosing, don't ignore your wearing habits and life occasions. After all, jewelry is not an antique in a safe, but a collection that can be worn on the body.
Potential
The value of design is never achieved overnight. It is more suitable to be considered in a longer timeline, so this gives us the opportunity to be insightful and to tap potential stocks. Historically, the iconic works of some design masters have a very obvious upward trend in auction. As the designer’s reputation grows, more and more collectors like him, the opportunity to buy his designs is natural. Fewer and fewer. So when the jewelry designer is not unattainable, accepting his masterpieces, maybe one day in the future, there will be a surprise.
