A Heart of Gold

Written by: Andrew Fabrikant

Over the last 19 years in the estate diamond and jewelry business I have found myself inspired by many of our clients.
We have met individuals who have, with the proceeds of a jewelry or diamond sale, paid for the college education of children and grand children, as well as helped save the whales, the dolphins, fisheries, and funded companies to help create solar or wind powered energy.

Tiffany & Co. Elsa Peretti Gold and Diamond Heart Pendant

We have assisted churches, temples, and schools in turning donations of jewelry into funds for their work projects. People have paid their mortgages with jewelry they have not worn in “forever”.

Perhaps my favorite is the funding of retirement accounts. When this happens I get to share in the joy people express during this transition in their lives. Often they are moving or downsizing and selling jewelry that was more appropriate for fancy dinners, cocktail parties, weddings and all different social occasions.

However, the other day I was deeply inspired by a university professor who wanted to give back to the hospital that helped save her life. When the professor decided to sell her diamonds she came to us and I had the distinct privilege of meeting her; a warm and wonderful woman who had done extensive research about her diamonds and jewelry and choose us to sell it for her.

After discussing the jewelry items with her she opted to take advantage of our Brokerage Service. Brokerage is an opportunity for our clients to allow us to market their jewelry for them.

As it was an eclectic collection I had suggested our Brokerage service, allowing us to place the jewelry with the best end user of each style of jewelry. It would have been impossible for any one dealer or retailer to offer fully on all of the jewelry. Some of the signatures had to be verified by the original makers and others were intriguing colored stones (Rubies, Emeralds, and Sapphires) that would have to be studied and marketed properly.

When closing the sale for her she thanked me profusely and then offered to have us write the check directly to the Breast Cancer Society. She had undergone treatment for breast cancer herself and was going to use the proceeds to go the Memorial Sloane Kettering Hospital. Her goal was to help those women with breast cancer that may not be able to afford treatment.
Her reaction to the amount of money received for her jewelry was priceless and she was overwhelmed and I was overwhelmed by the emotion of the moment.

Upon leaving she told me that I had left footprints on her heart.