Island Life Magazine Ltd August/September 2013 | Page 55

ANTIQUES Silver lining for jewellery Baubles, bangles and beads! Or perhaps, to put it more appropriately, fine jewellery, gold, silver and watches. The one thing they have in common is that they are all currently selling incredibly well at Hose Rhodes Dickson Auction Rooms in Brading. While the jewellery market has always been a strong one, with traders both locally and internationally always keen to buy and sell at auction, Rex Gully and his team at Hose Rhodes Dickson have recently noticed a further improvement with an increase in what might be termed ‘retail sales’. Private individuals are coming along to auction and buying pieces of jewellery either for themselves or as gifts. This is a win-win situation for both purchaser and vendor; the purchaser is able to acquire high quality goods at lower cost than would be charged by a retail jeweller, while the vendor benefits from a buyer who is happy to pay a slightly higher price than a dealer needing to turn a profit. Of course, the trade market is still going from strength to strength, particularly with the help of the far reaching arm of the internet. By adopting the latest online bidding technology Hose Rhodes Dickson have ensured they are able to target the widest possible audience, and this level of international exposure ensured the pictured pendant was discovered by a jewellery dealer from the US. With a hammer price of £1,300, the pendant is now winging its way to a happy purchaser in New York, leaving behind a very happy vendor in its wake. While we have all heard about the recent slight drop in gold and silver prices, as usual the scaremongering of the national media has made things sound far worse than they are. The record increases over recent years have ensured achieved prices for all precious metals can weather this temporary storm, and gold is still seen as a good and safe investment. If you have any unwanted or unloved items gathering dust in a jewellery box then get in touch with Hose Rhodes Dickson Auction Rooms and you might find yourself pleasantly surprised. Rex Gully • Auctioneer & Valuer • 01983 402222 • www.hose-rhodes-dickson.co.uk www.visitislandlife.com 55