Colin Weldon

Background

I learned the trade the old way, on the shop floor of a Dublin jewellery house, buying and selling antique jewellery and silver before I was old enough to know how much I did not know.

In 2009 I went to Los Angeles to sell high jewellery and watches at Bulgari on Rodeo Drive. Two years at the very top of the market is a fast education in what quality actually looks like, and in how to talk to people about money without either of you being embarrassed.

In 2012 I opened my own business, C.M. Weldon, in the Powerscourt Townhouse Centre, and later moved to a private client office on Nassau Street. Thirteen years of bespoke commissions, stones sourced directly from the international trade, estate pieces, and a private client list built one conversation at a time.

Most recently I was senior dealer at Courtville Antique and Vintage Jewellers, where I also ran the photography, the cataloguing and the digital side of the business. I have catalogued and valued jewellery sales for Morgan O'Driscoll Auctions.

I now work independently, with private clients, solicitors, dealers and auction houses.

Qualifications

I am a GIA Graduate Gemologist, the qualification of the Gemological Institute of America. In practice that covers gemstone identification, diamond grading to GIA standard, hallmark research and XRF testing of precious metals, and written valuations for insurance and probate.

I have been interviewed about the trade by the Irish Times and the Sunday Independent, and have written for the Sunday Business Post.

Working with me

You deal with me directly, start to finish. I examine and test every piece myself, photograph it and write the report myself. What you get is one person's judgement, with my name on it.

A valuation is an opinion, not an offer. If I ever have an interest in a piece I am valuing, you will hear it from me before I start rather than afterwards. For insurance, probate and dividing an estate between a family, that matters more than anything else I could tell you.

If you are working to a deadline, say so at the start and I will tell you honestly whether I can meet it.

And if a piece does not need a full valuation, I will say so rather than run up a bill. That answer costs you a thirty minute call and it is often the right one.