“This may be the largest single fine jewelry auction we have had in a decade. These estates were full of high-end collectibles, including antique and vintage jewelry,” said Erik Hoyer, CEO of EJ’s Auction & Appraisal. “We have spent the past few weeks appraising the fine jewelry and gathering any provenance that was available.”

Hoyer said more people are realizing that they can find near-new, high-quality jewelry at auction for a fraction of the price at retail stores.

“You’ll likely spend three to five times more at a retail store or jewelry boutique,” Hoyer said. “Our fine jewelry auction is diverse, and we anticipate some pieces to sell for a few hundred dollars up to thousands of dollars.”

He offers these tips for those who are new to buying jewelry at auction:

• Set Your Budget. It’s easy to get carried away during an auction, especially if you see multiple pieces of jewelry in the online auction catalog that appeal to you. When setting your budget, keep in mind that you need to factor in the Buyer’s Premium (usually 18%) as well as shipping costs.

• Do Your Research. Check the price of gold, silver and other metals. Attend the auction preview to check the condition of gemstones through a loupe to make sure there are no inclusions, fractures and other imperfections. If you can’t attend in person, ask the auction house for a condition report.

• Know Brand Names. Famous luxury designer brands, such as Tiffany & Co., Cartier, Harry Winston, Bulgari, Van Cleef & Arpels, Chopard, Graff, and David Yurman are known for their superior craftsmanship. Costume jewelry can also be valuable – look for pieces created by Coco Chanel, Elsa Schiaparelli, Trifari, Kenneth Jay Lane, Miriam Haskell, Swarovski and others.

• Check Provenance. Documentation, such as ownership receipts and past appraisals, often help to provide more details about the jewelry’s history and authenticity.