Ivy Gold and Silver owner Claire LeBlond has worked with precious metals for more than a decade, beginning with an apprenticeship at a local jewelry store at 16. She trained in precious-metals buying under Richmond's Michel Makhlouf, owner of Richmond Jewelry and Coin buyers. There, she gained hands-on experience testing, weighing, and evaluating gold, silver, and other precious metals. 

Claire brings her knowledge as a jeweler, longtime collector of antique jewelry, and trusted precious metals buyer in the Charlottesville community to a careful, transparent testing process at Ivy Gold & Silver. 

Claire also wants clients to understand all of their options. If selling a piece for its precious-metal value is not the right fit, she can suggest trusted local resources. As a longtime volunteer with nonprofit resale boutique Twice Is Nice, she also offers an in-house donation option for costume jewelry and other non-precious pieces.