For What it's Worth

By relying on a mixed-methods, comparative approach, this study aims to understand the evaluation of experts (interviews) in the goldsmith field as well as of visitors (survey) to jewelry fairs in the Netherlands and Germany. The data of this research derives from interviews and surveys. Two sets of semistructured interviews with seven experts in the goldsmith field in the Netherlands and Germany were undertaken, resulting in 14 datasets in total. In addition, a survey among visitors to the jewelry fair Sieraad Art Fair in Amsterdam, the Netherlands and to the Grassi Messe in Leipzig, Germany, was executed over two days. The interviews were conducted online via Microsoft Teams by the same researcher103 and transcribed by a professional agency in either Dutch or German.104 The online conversations ranged from 30 to 75 minutes and took place between May and June 2023 with the Dutch experts, and from November 2023 until January 2024 with the German experts. Visitors to the Sieraad Art Fair in Amsterdam (the Netherlands) and the Grassi Messe in Leipzig (Germany) were suitable participants since they are interested in jewelry and therefore might want to share their thoughts regarding the valuation of the goldsmith craft in their country. The survey at Sieraad was contucted on Fr 19/05/2023 and Sa. 20/05/2023. And at the Grassi Messi it was on Fr. 20/10/2023 and Sa, 21/10/2023.