Consigning with Alighieri's: A Step-by-Step Guide

Whether you have inherited a collection of fine jewelry, decided to part with luxury pieces you no longer wear, or are managing an estate liquidation, the consignment process can seem opaque from the outside. At Alighieri's, we have built our reputation on making consignment straightforward, transparent, and ultimately rewarding for our clients.

This guide walks you through every stage of consigning with Alighieri's, from your first inquiry to receiving payment after a successful sale. There are no hidden fees, no upfront costs, and no surprises. Just a clear, professional process designed to maximize the value of your luxury goods.

Who Should Consider Consignment

Consignment through a professional auction house is ideal for individuals who possess fine jewelry, luxury watches, designer handbags, or estate pieces and wish to achieve fair market value through competitive bidding. Common scenarios include:

Estate settlements where heirs wish to liquidate jewelry, watches, and luxury accessories
Collection refinement by seasoned collectors upgrading or narrowing their focus
Life transitions including downsizing, divorce settlements, or financial restructuring
Individual pieces of significant value that deserve professional marketing and a qualified buyer audience

If your items have a combined estimated value of $500 or more, consignment with Alighieri's is likely the most effective path to realizing their full market potential.

Step 1: Initial Consultation (Complimentary)

Every consignment relationship begins with a conversation. You can reach our team by phone, email, or through the inquiry form on our website. Describe the pieces you are considering consigning, and if possible, share photographs. This initial consultation is entirely complimentary and carries no obligation.

Our appraisal team will provide a preliminary assessment of your items and advise whether auction consignment is the optimal approach. In some cases, we may suggest alternative avenues if we believe they would better serve your interests. Our goal at this stage is to understand your pieces and your objectives.

In-person consultations are available at both of our locations:

Bucks County, Pennsylvania serving the greater Philadelphia region, including New Jersey, Delaware, and the New York metropolitan area
Coweta County, Georgia serving the greater Atlanta area and the Southeast

If you are unable to visit in person, we also accept items shipped to our facilities with full insurance coverage. We will provide detailed shipping instructions and prepaid labels for qualified consignments.

Step 2: Item Evaluation and Appraisal

Once you decide to proceed, our certified appraisers conduct a thorough evaluation of each piece. This examination covers:

For jewelry: Metal content testing, gemstone identification and grading, period attribution, condition assessment, and maker identification. We utilize professional gemological instruments and reference databases to ensure accurate evaluations.

For watches: Brand and reference verification, movement inspection, case and dial condition assessment, functionality testing, and documentation review. Our horological specialists confirm authenticity and note any service history or component replacements.

For handbags and luxury goods: Brand authentication, material and hardware inspection, condition grading, and provenance documentation. Every item is evaluated against brand-specific authentication criteria.

Based on this evaluation, we provide you with a detailed appraisal and a recommended auction estimate range. This estimate reflects current market conditions and recent comparable sales, giving you a realistic expectation of what your piece may achieve at auction.

Step 3: Setting Reserve Prices

Together, we establish a reserve price for each item. The reserve is the minimum amount below which the piece will not sell. Setting an appropriate reserve is a balance between protecting your investment and encouraging competitive bidding.

Our team draws on extensive auction data and market expertise to recommend reserve prices that serve your interests. You retain final approval on all reserve amounts. There is no pressure to accept a reserve you are uncomfortable with.

Step 4: Photography and Cataloging

Professional presentation is essential to achieving strong auction results. Our in-house photography team captures each piece with the attention it deserves, producing high-resolution images that showcase details, craftsmanship, and condition from multiple angles.

Each lot receives a detailed catalog description written by our specialists, covering provenance, materials, dimensions, condition notes, and any distinguishing features. These descriptions are crafted to inform and engage prospective bidders, conveying the significance and quality of each piece.

For particularly notable items, we may produce video content or featured editorial coverage to generate additional interest among our collector community.

Step 5: Marketing and Auction Listing

With photography and cataloging complete, your items are integrated into our upcoming auction schedule. The typical timeline from consignment to auction is two to four weeks, depending on the auction calendar and the nature of the pieces.

Our marketing efforts extend across multiple channels:

Email campaigns to our database of registered collectors and buyers
Social media promotion featuring individual lots and auction previews
Website listings with full photography, descriptions, and bidding information
Targeted outreach to collectors known to have interest in specific categories or brands

High-value or exceptional pieces may receive dedicated marketing attention, including featured placement in our auction previews and direct communication with qualified collectors.

Step 6: Auction Day

On auction day, your items are presented to our bidding audience through our online platform at alighieris.com. Bidders compete in real time, with our proxy bidding system ensuring fair and transparent competition.

Our auction platform features timed auctions with soft-close technology, which extends the bidding window if bids are placed in the final moments. This prevents last-second sniping and ensures that every bidder has a fair opportunity to compete, ultimately benefiting you as the consignor by maximizing the final sale price.

You are welcome to observe the bidding process in real time through your consignor dashboard, where you can track bid activity on each of your lots.

Step 7: Post-Auction and Payment

After the auction concludes, we process all successful sales and coordinate payment collection from buyers. Our standard payment timeline to consignors is ten to fourteen business days following the auction close, allowing time for payment processing and any applicable buyer verification.

You will receive a detailed settlement statement itemizing each lot sold, the hammer price achieved, the buyer's premium allocation, and your net proceeds. Payments are issued via your preferred method, whether direct deposit, wire transfer, or check.

What If an Item Does Not Sell?

Not every lot finds a buyer, and that is a normal aspect of the auction process. If an item does not meet its reserve price, you have several options:

Re-list in a future auction with an adjusted reserve or estimate
Accept a post-auction offer if a prospective buyer expresses interest below the reserve
Return the item to your possession at no charge

There are no penalties for unsold items. We work with you to determine the best path forward based on market feedback and your preferences.

Our Fee Structure: No Upfront Costs

Alighieri's operates on a commission basis, meaning you pay nothing until your item sells. There are no listing fees, no photography charges, no appraisal costs, and no marketing expenses billed to you. Our commission is deducted from the final sale price, aligning our incentives with yours: we succeed when you succeed.

The specific commission rate is discussed during your consultation and depends on the value and nature of the items being consigned. We are transparent about our fee structure from the outset, ensuring there are no surprises at settlement.

Estate Liquidation Services

For clients managing full estate liquidations, Alighieri's offers comprehensive services that extend beyond individual consignment. Our estate team can conduct on-site evaluations, organize and catalog entire collections, coordinate logistics including secure transport and insurance, and manage the complete auction process from start to finish.

We understand the sensitivity involved in estate situations and approach every engagement with discretion, professionalism, and care. Our team has managed estates ranging from modest personal collections to significant multi-category holdings, and we tailor our approach to the specific needs of each situation.

Begin the Conversation

Consigning with Alighieri's begins with a simple step: reaching out. Whether you have a single piece of fine jewelry or an entire estate to evaluate, our team is prepared to provide honest, professional guidance at no cost and no obligation.

Contact us today to schedule your complimentary consultation, or visit us at our Bucks County, Pennsylvania or Coweta County, Georgia locations. You may also ship items directly to our appraisal team with full insurance coverage.

Your luxury pieces deserve an audience that appreciates their value. Let Alighieri's connect them with the collectors who will cherish them next.

Ready to consign? Visit alighieris.com/consign or call our consignment team for a confidential consultation.