How To Get Top Dollar For Your Old Jewelry
Have you ever gone to the pawnshop, hoping to sell a piece of jewelry, only to discover that the pawn broker did not think nearly as highly of your item as you did? Maybe you knew that your jewelry was worth 10 to 20 times what was offered. Here are a few tips for getting top dollar when selling your old jewelry.
Start with a reputable buyer.
Most pawn brokers have a specialty. Some are very knowledgeable about musical instruments, some specialize in firearms, and some understand jewelry. When you are in the market to sell jewelry, look for someone who specializes in buying jewelry. A broker like Desert Jewelry Mart & Coins who understands what an item of jewelry is worth is going to offer more than someone who just wants to buy it for the scrap gold.
Know the value.
If you already have a pretty good idea of what your item is worth, make sure that you can prove it. This may mean getting the piece of jewelry appraised. Having a certificate of appraisal will help you to counter low-ball offers, and help you to know when you are getting a good deal.
Understand what you are selling.
If you are emotionally attached to an item, it is generally not a good idea to sell it, but if an item holds very little sentimental value, it may be easier to part with. However, just because a necklace appraised for over a thousand dollars several years ago, that does not mean that you will receive a lot of money for it if the chain is broken, or it is tarnished.
When pawnshops buy jewelry, they have two options for recouping their money. They can either sell the item to another customer, or they can sell the gold for scrap. While the gold in broken jewelry is worth it's weight in gold, literally, the more times that an item has to exchange hands, the less money anyone will be able to actually make from the transaction.
Shop around.
Sometimes it is easy to get discouraged if the first offer you receive is extremely low. You may wonder if it is even worth the hassle, but don't give up. Hold your head up high, and walk into the next shop. You may not like the first offer, but the second or third may be better. By following some of these tips, you will find the right place to sell your jewelry.