Estate Executor Program

Trusted guidance for executors, administrators, and families navigating the sale of fine jewelry, watches, and luxury assets.

Handling an estate? Start with our guide to selling estate jewelry at auction.

★ US-Based Consignments Only ★

FORTUNA currently accepts consignments from sellers located in the United States.

Let’s Start With A Message From Our Founder:

When someone passes, the last thing their loved ones should have to worry about is whether they’re getting fair value for a lifetime’s collection of treasured jewelry and watches. Yet this is exactly the burden that falls on estate executors — often during the most difficult time of their lives.

At FORTUNA, we’ve worked with hundreds of executors, trustees, and families to ensure that fine jewelry, luxury watches, and precious gemstones are properly evaluated and sold at their true market value — not the fraction offered by estate liquidators and cash buyers. Our auction process is transparent, legally documented, and designed to maximize value while minimizing stress.

We Understand the Weight You Carry

As an executor or administrator, you have a fiduciary duty to the estate’s beneficiaries. Selling luxury assets at below-market prices isn’t just a missed opportunity — it can be a breach of that duty. FORTUNA’s auction process creates a competitive marketplace that establishes true fair market value, giving you documented proof that you fulfilled your responsibilities.

How It Works

A clear, supported path from first call to final settlement.

Free Consultation

Contact us by phone, email, or through the form below. We’ll discuss the estate’s holdings and schedule an evaluation — either in person at our New York offices, at the estate’s location, or via secure shipment.

Expert Evaluation

Our specialists evaluate every item — fine jewelry, watches, designer handbags, luxury accessories, and beyond — identifying provenance, authenticating designers, and providing realistic auction estimates backed by current market data. For categories outside our core expertise, we connect you with trusted specialty houses or vetted buyers.

Professional Photography & Cataloging

Each item is professionally photographed and cataloged with detailed descriptions that highlight provenance, craftsmanship, and market significance — presentation that attracts serious collectors worldwide.

Competitive Auction

Your items are placed in the most appropriate FORTUNA auction, where they compete for the attention of our worldwide collector network — ensuring competitive bidding that achieves fair market value.

Transparent Settlement

After the sale, you receive a settlement statement providing details for each lot. Payment is issued promptly, typically within 15 business days of the sale.

What You Get With FORTUNA

✓Free estate consultation

✓Competitive auction achieving fair market value

✓Detailed settlement statements for probate

✓Professional photography and cataloging

✓Secure handling, insured storage, and shipping

✓Global marketing to vetted collector network

FORTUNA Auction vs. Cash Buyers

Estate liquidators and cash buyers typically offer 10–30% of retail value. FORTUNA’s competitive auction process consistently achieves multiples of those offers. Here are real examples:

Cartier Diamond Bracelet

Cash buyer offer: $50,000

FORTUNA result: $237,500

4.75x the cash offer

Ruby & Diamond Necklace

Cash buyer offer: $40,000

FORTUNA result: $150,000

3.75x the cash offer

Fancy Yellow Diamond Ring

Cash buyer offer: $75,000

FORTUNA result: $175,000

2.33x the cash offer

Belperron Chalcedony Clip

Cash buyer offer: $10,000

FORTUNA result: $62,500

6.25x the cash offer

Victorian Diamond Earrings

Cash buyer offer: $5,000

FORTUNA result: $37,500

7.5x the cash offer

Pear-Shaped Diamond Ring

Cash buyer offer: $35,000

FORTUNA result: $54,688

1.56x the cash offer

What Estate Executors Say About FORTUNA

Trusted by estate professionals, advisors, and the families they represent.

“

One of my favorite auction houses for jewelry. I liquidate jewelry for my elderly clients and for estates through my company Downsizing Advisory Service. They almost always meet or exceed auction estimates and are so easy to deal with. I highly recommend this company.

Dale Smrekar

Downsizing Advisory Service

“

I have met with the people from Fortuna Jewelry Auction. I am an independent appraiser and do not put items into auction, however I was so impressed with them and their company that I have referred many of my clients to them and they have come back to thank me. Some of them have used Fortuna numerous times with great results. I will continue to refer my clients to them.

Anneliese Del Monico

Independent Jewelry Appraiser

“

Honest and trustworthy with superior customer service. I have been in the gem and jewelry world for over 30 years and the rarest find of all is a group of professionals that are as dedicated to their clients as the people at Fortuna. If this is your first time to auction or your fiftieth you will be surprised at the ease and transparency of the Fortuna process. I highly recommend them for buyers, sellers and collectors.

Richard Malerba

30-Year Gem & Jewelry Industry Veteran

Inherited jewelry, and not sure where to begin? Start with Antique, Vintage, or Estate Jewelry? and How to Sell Jewelry at Auction in the FORTUNA Learning Center — calm, plain-English guides written for exactly this moment.

Begin Your Estate Valuation

Whether you’re managing a single collection or a complex multi-beneficiary estate, our team is here to help. Contact us for a confidential, no-obligation consultation.

Or call us directly: (212) 389-9040

Estate Executor FAQs

How quickly can an estate executor get a valuation?

Typically within 24 hours — often faster. If you come to us through a trusted partner (an appraiser, estate attorney, or trust officer we work with), we offer a partner rate, and we’re always willing to match or beat competitive offers from other houses. We can also expedite on your timeline.

Do I need to send the estate’s items to you?

If you just want a rough idea of what the estate’s items are worth, we can usually give you that from photos alone. To actually consign, we need the pieces in hand — we photograph, catalog, and market every item to a global buyer pool. Items are fully insured from the moment they leave your hands, and while in our care they’re stored in a high-security fully-insured vault.

Are the items fully insured?

Yes. Items are fully insured from the moment they’re dropped off with our pre-paid label, and while in our possession they’re stored in a high-security bank vault. Outbound shipments to winning bidders are also fully insured.

What happens if items don’t sell?

We can return them to the estate, or attempt to sell again in another auction, or perhaps try another channel altogether — such as a Buy Now listing. You’re never charged a fee for unsold lots, unlike at many other auction houses.

See all FAQs →