Check with the Lodge before you sell anything
Most masonic regalia reaches a family after a death, and not all of it is meant to be sold. Many lodges welcome regalia back to pass on to new members, some will buy back a founder’s or Past Master’s jewel for the lodge’s own history, and the Almoner will often help a widow or family with exactly this question. The lodge name and number are usually engraved on the jewel itself or printed on any summons papers in the case, so the Lodge Secretary is easy to find through the Provincial Grand Lodge or the United Grand Lodge of England. We would rather you make that call first than sell something the lodge would have treasured.
Craft, Royal Arch and the other orders
It helps to know what you are holding, because the orders are distinct. A Craft case typically holds a lambskin apron, white gloves, perhaps an officer’s collar with its collar jewel, and a Past Master’s breast jewel, presented when a member finishes his year in the chair and usually engraved with his name, the lodge and the date. The Royal Arch is a separate order whose members meet in a chapter rather than a lodge; its members’ jewels hang from a distinctive ribbon and are very often silver-gilt. Beyond those sit further orders with their own regalia, among them the Mark Master Masons, Knights Templar and Rose Croix, so one member’s cupboard can hold several cases. Photograph each jewel front and back, with its ribbon, and we will identify what belongs to which order rather than lumping it together.
Where the precious metal actually is
The metal value sits almost entirely in the jewels, not the cloth. Breast and collar jewels are commonly hallmarked sterling silver or silver-gilt, and some Past Master’s and presentation jewels are 9ct or even 18ct gold. Look for a hallmark on the reverse or on the suspension bar, and for the marks of the regalia makers, Toye, Kenning & Spencer and its forebears George Kenning & Son and Spencer & Co, or Fattorini. Our UK silver hallmarks guide shows what the punches mean, and every jewel is confirmed on our in-house XRF analyser regardless. Aprons, collars, gauntlets and cases are lambskin, silk and gilt-metal braid: the braid is not solid bullion, so their honest value is modest and lies with regalia dealers or the lodge itself, and we will say so rather than have you post them expecting a metal price. Masonic rings, often 9ct gold with a reversible or engraved head, and lodge silver, from founders’ trowels to inscribed salvers, are valued on weight, purity and workmanship.
Why jewels are often worth more than their scrap value
- The order and type. Founders’ jewels, centenary jewels and the Hall Stone Jewel, worn by Masters of lodges that contributed to the Masonic Million Memorial Fund after the First World War, all carry collector interest above their metal.
- The engraving. A named jewel from an early-numbered or since-closed lodge interests collectors of masonic history; the engraving that makes a jewel personal is often what makes it collectable.
- The metal and hallmark. Silver-gilt looks like gold but assays as silver; a genuine 9ct or 18ct gold jewel is a different valuation entirely, which is why we test rather than assume.
- The maker and condition. Crisp enamel, original ribbon and a fitted case all lift what a collector pays. Do not clean or re-ribbon anything before sending photos.
- Completeness. One member’s jewels are better assessed together, with any case and papers, than split up.
We assess every jewel both ways, collector value and metal value, and the written valuation shows you which is higher. Where a rare jewel would clearly do better at a specialist masonic auction, we tell you so.
Provenance, and why we ask
Engraved jewels and inscribed lodge silver are traceable, so we ask how the items came to you, require photo identification, and ask you to confirm in writing that you own them and are entitled to sell them. Items that may belong to a lodge rather than a person, and anything without clear ownership, we decline and return. The same standard applies to our war medals and militaria buying, and it is what keeps this market honest.
How it works
- Ask first and send photos. Photograph each jewel front and back with its ribbon, any hallmarks, and any rings or lodge silver, on WhatsApp. You get an honest steer, in confidence, before anything is posted.
- Request a prepaid Royal Mail label. We send a free Royal Mail Special Delivery label, tracked and signed for, usually within 30 minutes during working hours. No printer? We send a QR code for the Post Office counter.
- Post it when you are ready. Wrap jewels so they cannot rub, keep cases and papers with their jewels, and send the collection as it stands. There is no deadline.
- We identify and assess by hand. Each jewel is identified by order and type, hallmarks are read, and metal is confirmed by XRF assay. You receive a written, no-obligation valuation separating collector value from metal value.
- Accept or decline. Accept and you are paid by bank transfer using Faster Payments within one working hour of acceptance. Decline and everything is returned free of charge by tracked, insured post.
Postage, tracking and cover
Your parcel is covered by Royal Mail Special Delivery, with cover available up to £2,500 depending on the cover level used. Every parcel uses Royal Mail Special Delivery Guaranteed, tracked from the counter to our door, signed for on arrival, and arranged with that compensation cover. For anything you think exceeds it, contact us first; we will arrange a suitable approach rather than leave a parcel underprotected. The detail sits on postage and insurance and is it safe to post gold?.
Changing your mind is free
Declining costs you nothing. If the written offer does not suit you, say so, and your items come straight back by tracked, insured Royal Mail post at our expense. No fee, no questions, no chasing. See what happens if I decline the offer for the step by step.
Who this helps
Families sorting a father’s or grandfather’s regalia after a death, executors handling an estate that includes masonic items, members leaving the Craft who want a discreet sale, and lodge officers dealing with surplus jewels or silver, which we are happy to discuss as a standing arrangement. If the same clearance has turned up medals, coins or a jewellery box, see sell medals and medallions and clearing a parent’s house.
Getting paid
Once you accept your written offer, payment is made by bank transfer using Faster Payments within one working hour of acceptance, directly to your account. No cheques to wait on, no conditions attached.
Common questions
What should I do with my father’s masonic regalia?
Contact his Lodge Secretary or Almoner first. The lodge name and number are usually engraved on his jewels or printed on any summons in the case, and the lodge may want regalia back for new members or a founder’s jewel for its own history. Whatever the lodge does not want, hallmarked jewels, rings and lodge silver, can be sold. Send photos on WhatsApp and we will tell you honestly, in confidence, what is worth selling and what is not.
Are masonic jewels actually worth anything?
Frequently, yes. Many breast and collar jewels are hallmarked sterling silver or silver-gilt, some Past Master’s and presentation jewels are 9ct or 18ct gold, and founders’ jewels, centenary jewels, Hall Stone Jewels and jewels from early or closed lodges carry collector value above their metal. Final offers depend on inspection, hallmarks, purity, weight, condition, rarity and the market on the day, so we start with photos and follow with a written valuation.
Do you buy masonic aprons, collars and gauntlets?
We will look at them, but honestly: the braid on aprons and collars is gilt metal thread, not solid bullion, so there is little metal value to recover. Their worth lies with regalia dealers, new members or the lodge itself, and we would rather tell you that than have you post them expecting a metal price. Send a photo of everything together and we will point each piece the right way.
Do you buy masonic rings?
Yes. Masonic rings are usually 9ct or 18ct gold, sometimes with a reversible or enamelled head, and are valued on their hallmark, confirmed purity, weight and workmanship. Photograph the ring and any marks inside the band and we will give you an honest indication before you post anything.
I’m not a Freemason. Can I still sell this?
Yes. Most of the regalia we see is sold by family members and executors who were never members themselves. Because engraved jewels are traceable, we ask how the items came to you and ask you to confirm in writing that you own them and are entitled to sell them. Nothing is bought without clear ownership.
Will my enquiry be kept private?
Yes. Enquiries, valuations and any onward sale are handled confidentially. We do not publish names, lodge numbers or photographs of items we buy, and nothing about your enquiry is shared beyond what the sale itself requires.