Twice a year Scheherazade Jewelers hosts The Great Estate event. Customers get just as excited as the store’s staff given the huge number of incredible estate pieces brought in exclusively for this event. And, this year’s The Great Estate is no different. But there is one small change for Fall 2013. The Great Estate has become so hotly anticipated by Scheherazade customers that it has gone from a three-day to a five-day event starting on Thursday, October 31 and ending Monday, November 4.

The estate jewelry that fills the display cases for this event at Scheherazade Jewelers takes center stage. Just as important as the jewelry are the two women that make The Great Estate happen. Separately, Kate Peterson, president and CEO of Performance Concepts, and Patti Geolat, founder and CEO of Geolat Companies, own their own companies. But together, they are the nation’s and the gem and jewelry industry’s leading team with regards to estate jewelry buying and selling events. In the summer of 2010, the long-time industry friends came up with the winning event formula that is now The Great Estate.

Here’s how The Great Estate works. Scheherazade customers are invited to bring in no longer loved jewelry for consultation with Patti. She will then discuss both the actual resale value of the jewelry and the customer’s objectives and interests in selling. After careful inspection and evaluation, Patti presents the customer with a range of options, which include both selling the items for cash and using the items as trade toward a desired piece of jewelry.

Kate Peterson (left) and Patti Geolat (right).

Talk On Trends

“The biggest trend in estate jewelry is estate jewelry itself,” says Patti Geolat. “Just the idea of mainstream jewelers diving head first into this category is newsworthy. The idea of selling jewelry — even if you don’t need the money – is new. In the past, people hung onto jewels and passed them on if they did not like or wear them. And estate/vintage bridal and other categories from the mid-century are hot.”

The Great Estate Event Schedule 

Here are the days and operating hours of The Great Estate Event*:

> Thursday, October 31: 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM

> Friday, November 1: 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM

> Saturday, November 2: 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM

> Sunday, November 3: 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM

> Monday, November 4: 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM

(*These are the operating hours of The Great Estate event. Patti and Kate have scheduled appointments each day. Scheherazade Jewelers suggests customers call the store (952-926-2455) to check appointment availabilities. Scheherazade Jewelers kindly requests that only four (4) pieces of jewelry be presented to Patti and Kate during each half-hour scheduled appointment. For customers that want additional pieces of jewelry reviewed, please schedule an additional 30-minute appointment another time during the event. The schedules are filling up fast, so please call the store soon!)

The “Great” in The Great Estate – Jewelry

Of the many pieces of jewelry featured in The Great Estate, Patti Geolat talks about some highlighted items.

“The large citrine retro bracelet is from the late 1940’s and is a real statement piece. It’s fun and bold. Very much in keeping with the time right after World War II when there were not a lot of expensive jewels, but people wanted to forget the deprivation of those years.”

“The boxy little platinum, blue sapphire and diamond ring is typical of the geometric designs of the Art Deco era. Also, the gemstones were often blue sapphire and diamonds. Very typical.”

“This is a great example of Art Nouveau. Dragonfly motifs were popular as were other bugs during this time. Art followed science. As botany and entomology grew in serious study, artists drew or created realistic images.”

The Edwardian era necklace/pin is a true beauty and quite versatile. The pin is removable so that the necklace can be worn without the pin showing.  It features good-sized old-cut diamonds, which speak to the authenticity of this jewel.”

“This is a beautiful French enamel jewel from the turn of the century. One-hundred percent of this gem’s value is tied to the artistic value and its condition. Truly wearable art. Exquisite execution. A must see.”

“This Art Deco pendant / watch is a great testimony to jewelry of the era. Beautifully crafted. The dial has been restored and the watch even works.  Although for the lady who wears this, time does not really matter.”