Estate Jewelry - advice on assessing and selling

I used an appraiser when I was in a similar situation. They provide "replacement value" which is far above "market value." It is also expensive. Taking the pieces to an auction house will get you something closer to market value. Or you could go to someplace like Lang Jewels or Circa. They buy and sell fine jewelry. 

I took some nice jewelry that my grandmother left me to a local jeweler and paid for an appraisal. He wrote up an official appraisal of the gemstones in the jewelry that I could take to the insurance company if I wanted the jewelry appraised. There was one expensive gemstone that he said I had to send away if I wanted really official paperwork on the value. A few pieces that were made of gold I took to a local goldsmith, and he basically looked at the gold content and told me what it was worth; he also bought a few from me based on the gold only, and gave me a good price. But neither of them did the "Antique Road Show" appraisal where they think about the historical implications, etc, and they didn't tell me how much I could sell it for based on whether it was set well or fashionable. So it really depends how valuable you think your jewelry is. If it's just the gems you want appraised, any jeweler will do that. If you're talking about "Antique Road Show" level jewelry, then you might have to visit one of the larger auction houses, or Lang's Antique's in SF. FYI the local jeweler I went to is Seelenbacher Jewelers and the goldsmith is the Silver Baron.

You might consider reaching out to Clars Auction Gallery.  They have a gemologist in their jewelry department and they also hold auctions monthly.