RAPAPORT... International jewerly buying house CIRCA opened offices in San Francisco and Washington DC recently. The company provides a liquid market to the public for previously owned jewelry and has been in operation since 2001.

CIRCA offers jewelry owners a  "discreet and simple way to trade in fine jewels. Patrons just have to bring in their pieces and CIRCA will assess the value of each item and give them a check for the valued amount immediately with no commission charges or fees deducted," according to the firm. 

CEO Chris Del Gatto credits CIRCA's success to their clients' loyalty. "By being honest and transparent throughout the entire process --one daunted with misnomers--  this openness and honesty prevails in each transaction with CIRCA," Del Gatto said. 

Del Gatto added that CIRCA has set new standards for customer care by simplifying the auction process. "We see an incredible amount of jewelry and our depth of knowledge is truly valuable. Because of CIRCA, fine jewelry is now more liquid than anything in a family’s portfolio. Significant items often historically have remained frozen in the vault as ‘non-performing assets.’ At CIRCA once a client accepts an offer, they are immediately presented with a check.

"No commission charges or fees are deducted.  It is a quick, efficient and press-free alternative to the gossipy and expensive atmosphere of the auction house," he concluded.

Peter Shemonsky CIRCA's director in San Francisco said the Bay Area plays perfect host to the business model and includes a demographic of old wealth and unique jewelry. Shemonsky is also an appraiser on The Antiques Roadshow.

“As a senior executive that has run the jewelry department of an international auction house and having been in the jewelry business for over 18 years, I've seen that there is nothing else like CIRCA available for consumers,” Shemonsky said.

CIRCA has offices in New York, Palm Beach (Florida,) San Francisco, Chicago, Washington DC, Las Vegas, and Hong Kong. The company plans to open in Los Angeles, Atlanta, Houston, Dallas, Boston, London, Paris, and in Brazil.