# How much for a Fabergé spider brooch? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 7, 2010, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-for-a-faberge-spider-brooch/552892 "2010-09-07T05:46:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2010, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-for-a-faberge-spider-brooch/552892/1 "2010-09-07T05:46:03Z")
On _Pawn Stars_ a woman came into the shop with a spider brooch. She’s hoped to get $2,000. Rick said he’d love to pay her $2,000, but he has a conscience. He offered her $15,000 for it (which she took, after trying to get more). Curious, I found [this Fabergé spider brooch](http://www.icollector.com/Diamond-Sapphire-Ruby-Spider-Brooch-Russian_i6900537), which looks similar. It sold at auction for $1,700 plus $382.50 buyer’s premium. Question: How much are these things worth? Did Rick screw himself? Or did the auction winner get an incredible deal? (I’m guessing the former, but I don’t know. That’s why I’m asking.) ---
**Author:** ![Girl\_From\_Mars](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3da27b/32.png) [@Girl\_From\_Mars](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Girl_From_Mars)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2010, 9:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-for-a-faberge-spider-brooch/552892/2 "2010-09-07T09:29:10Z")
Don’t know much about that particular item, but the one you link to has pretty crap diamonds. JKL colour, SI (which means you can see faults with the naked eye). I would have expected better quality diamonds for Faberge, so perhaps this is a repro, or hers was better quality\> ---
**Author:** ![FuzzyOgre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a587f6/32.png) [@FuzzyOgre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FuzzyOgre)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2010, 9:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-for-a-faberge-spider-brooch/552892/3 "2010-09-07T09:35:54Z")
If the Pawn Stars one contained better gems and platinum instead of silver, I could see it being worth a great deal more than that one. ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2010, 10:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-for-a-faberge-spider-brooch/552892/4 "2010-09-07T10:12:14Z")
Well clearly since they don’t mention that it has Faberge hallmarks, just Russian hallmarks, I assume it is not a Faberge. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2010, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-for-a-faberge-spider-brooch/552892/5 "2010-09-07T13:47:03Z")
> [@FuzzyOgre](#): > > If the Pawn Stars one contained better gems and platinum instead of silver, I could see it being worth a great deal more than that one. It did contain platinum. > [@don\_t\_ask](#): > > Well clearly since they don’t mention that it has Faberge hallmarks, just Russian hallmarks, I assume it is not a Faberge. Ah. I didn’t notice that since my search was on Fabergé; and since the one on the show came in a Fabergé box, I assumed the ‘fitted wooden box’ mentioned in the auction was the same. ---
**Author:** ![Alpha\_Twit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alpha_twit/32/265_2.png) [@Alpha\_Twit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alpha_Twit)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2010, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-for-a-faberge-spider-brooch/552892/6 "2010-09-07T14:41:38Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > Did Rick screw himself? I could be wrong on this but I’d wager that if Rick _had_ screwed himself then the show’s producers would have made sure to show that fact later in the show. The fact that they didn’t is a pretty good reason to accept that Rick and probably the customer as well got something resembling a fair deal. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2010, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-for-a-faberge-spider-brooch/552892/7 "2010-09-07T14:44:54Z")
$5 says that if the cameras weren’t there, Rick would have given her $2000. ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2010, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-for-a-faberge-spider-brooch/552892/8 "2010-09-07T15:14:57Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > $5 says that if the cameras weren’t there, Rick would have given her $2000. > [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > Did Rick screw himself? This one caught my attention as well. I know Russian coins and Russian silver better than jewelry but I thought he overpaid. Possibly he took a shot because of the cameras - the advertising value they ad to the value of the stuff he buys and his ability to resell it. I could see someone calling or visiting the store and saying “I want that pin I saw on your show” no matter how overpriced. And even if they don’t, look at the number of customers that airing will bring in. Win win for him. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2010, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-for-a-faberge-spider-brooch/552892/9 "2010-09-08T02:02:57Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > $5 says that if the cameras weren’t there, Rick would have given her $2000. I just watched this episode an hour ago, and I said much the same thing. mmm ---
**Author:** ![BrotherCadfael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@BrotherCadfael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrotherCadfael)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2010, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-for-a-faberge-spider-brooch/552892/10 "2010-09-08T03:02:43Z")
Their business model seems to be, “buy for one-third the value, sell for two-thirds”. Not a bad plan - people coming to that kind of an operation are looking for a quick sale, and the buyer and seller ultimately make about the same on the deal. If you have the time to go about selling the goods through more formal channels, you can get more - but you have to wait for it. Based on the two-thirds/one-third rule in this case, I’d guess the value of the broach was probably $40K-50K. If she sent it off to Southeby’s, she’d clear 30 or so on it. But that would take months. History Channel was running a marathon on this show yesterday. I hadn’t seen it before, but got thoroughly hooked on it. ---
**Author:** ![umalumni2002](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/b5a626/32.png) [@umalumni2002](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/umalumni2002)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2010, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-for-a-faberge-spider-brooch/552892/11 "2010-11-21T18:44:45Z")
Similiar Brooches sell at Chrities rarely for 500,000 to 2.5 million Sapphire, Diamond, Ruby, Silver, Gold Brooch, RussianThe brooch, designed as a spider, features a round-cut sapphire measuring approximately 5.50 - 5.55 mm, enhanced by round-cut sapphires, accented by round-cut rubies all set in 14k pink gold, further enhanced by single and full-cut diamonds weighing a total of approximately 0.75 carat, set in silver. The brooch is accompanied by a fitted wooden box. Russian hallmarks evident. Gross weight 34.20 grams.Dimensions: 2-1/2 inches x 2-7/8 inches Condition Report: BroochDiamondsAverage Color: JKLAverage Clarity: SI, IShapes; Round, Single-cutDiamond Count: 76-100Colored Gemstones: Ruby, SapphireShapes: RoundGemstone Count: 1-25Notes: Stamped 56 (14k Russia) He got a incredible deal and he knew it. ---
**Author:** ![umalumni2002](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/b5a626/32.png) [@umalumni2002](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/umalumni2002)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2010, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-for-a-faberge-spider-brooch/552892/12 "2010-11-21T18:48:50Z")
> [@don\_t\_ask](#): > > Well clearly since they don’t mention that it has Faberge hallmarks, just Russian hallmarks, I assume it is not a Faberge. Clearly you can see the marking for Faberge at the apex, it is real. I deal in this type of jewerly all the time. ---
**Author:** ![umalumni2002](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/b5a626/32.png) [@umalumni2002](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/umalumni2002)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2010, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-for-a-faberge-spider-brooch/552892/13 "2010-11-21T18:53:09Z")
> [@Girl\_From\_Mars](#): > > Don’t know much about that particular item, but the one you link to has pretty crap diamonds. JKL colour, SI (which means you can see faults with the naked eye). I would have expected better quality diamonds for Faberge, so perhaps this is a repro, or hers was better quality\> from my view. It was J, VVS, nice girdle and crown…on most of the diamonds. maybe it needed some cleaning… ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2010, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-for-a-faberge-spider-brooch/552892/14 "2010-11-21T20:37:59Z")
> [@umalumni2002](#): > > Clearly you can see the marking for Faberge at the apex, it is real. I deal in this type of jewerly all the time. You can see the markings? Where? What image? Am I missing something? ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2010, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-for-a-faberge-spider-brooch/552892/15 "2010-11-23T05:46:29Z")
The episode just aired again on Sunday. Maybe he could see it on the show? ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2010, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-for-a-faberge-spider-brooch/552892/16 "2010-11-23T19:31:40Z")
If you watched the episode with the brooch, it was much bigger, and more elaborate. (And like the others, I see no markings whatsoever) (Also, I don’t believe Rick would’ve cheated her. People seem to get this idea that _Pawn Stars_ are “omg, they’re CHEATING EVERYONE THEY’RE SO CROOKED!!!” but they have to make a profit too.) ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2010, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-for-a-faberge-spider-brooch/552892/17 "2010-11-24T00:00:41Z")
Unless someone can direct me to an image of a spider with markings by Faberge, I’m gonna assume our new friend, **umalumni2002** , who hasn’t been back since bring this up a few days ago, is talking through his hat. ---
**Author:** ![OGShawn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e8c25b/32.png) [@OGShawn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OGShawn)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2011, 10:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-for-a-faberge-spider-brooch/552892/18 "2011-01-11T10:55:19Z")
The one on the show was a lot bigger. ---
**Author:** ![joebuck20](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/74df32/32.png) [@joebuck20](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joebuck20)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2011, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-for-a-faberge-spider-brooch/552892/19 "2011-01-11T15:39:20Z")
I just saw this episode last night. I got a kick out of the guy who wanted to sell the Civil War case for 150k, but the old man only offered him 3k. ---
**Author:** ![fumster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e9c0ed/32.png) [@fumster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fumster)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2011, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-for-a-faberge-spider-brooch/552892/20 "2011-01-11T16:42:41Z")
The times that I have been to pawn shops the stuff they sell is way overpriced, to the point that it doesn’t even seem worth bargaining. Are they really going to negotiate 50% off their prices, or are they just waiting for idiots to come in the store? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-for-a-faberge-spider-brooch/552892.md?page=2)