Thinking About Selling Jewelry? Here's What to Expect (and How to Prepare)
Parting ways with your jewelry is no small feat. Not only are these items usually of great value, but they are likely of some sentimental value to you or members of your family. This can make the process of selling your jewelry quite intimidating, especially when trying to make sure that you’re receiving fair return for your valuables.
Whether it’s a necklace that’s no longer your style, a ring from a chapter that’s closed, or simply something that’s been sitting in your drawer for years, selling jewelry often comes with a mix of emotions and questions. What’s it worth? Who can you trust? Am I getting a fair price?
We get it. That’s why we’ve put together this helpful guide so you know exactly what to expect before walking through the door of a jewelry buyer to sell jewelry in Burlington.
First Things First: The Evaluation
In almost every reputable scenario, the process begins with an initial evaluation. It’s essentially like a quick check-up for your jewelry. A buyer will examine your item or items to understand its composition, quality, and potential resale value.
Here’s what they’ll typically look at:
Metal Content: Is it 10K, 14K, 18K gold? Is it sterling silver or platinum?
Gemstones: Are the stones genuine? Are they diamonds, sapphires, or something else?
Hallmarks or Stamps: These tiny engravings give clues about the item’s origin, purity, or even designer.
Overall Condition: Is the piece worn, damaged, or like new?
During this process, it would be helpful to bring any documentation, original packaging or receipts that you may have that correspond to the jewelry being evaluated. Having these at the ready during your evaluation not only helps to authenticate them, but it can also play a part in raising the value of the jewelry.
The Offer: What’s It Really Worth?
After the inspection is complete, assuming the jewelry has tangible value, you’ll receive an offer. This is where it’s important to manage expectations and understand the objective, current value of a piece of jewelry. The price you paid for the piece originally doesn’t always match its resale value, especially for mass-produced jewelry or items based on gold weight alone.
Offers are based on:
Current Market Value
Rarity and Desirability
Brand Name or Designer Pedigree
Condition and Craftsmanship
Some buyers might also offer different options such as instant cash offers or consignment. The latter can be especially enticing if you’d like to sell the jewelry at a higher price point, but this can take time and is only worth doing if you have no timeline on the sale of your jewelry.
Testing & Authentication
After the price has been agreed upon by both parties, reputable buyers will put your jewelry through their paces, so to speak, before sealing the deal. This is a vital part of the process and there’s no reason to be alarmed, this is totally normal! It’s an essential step towards establishing transparency. Depending on the buyer, they might use acid tests or electronic tools to confirm gold purity, examine gemstones to distinguish natural from synthetic and weigh the piece to determine melt value. If you were wondering, yes, this should all be done in front of you, so you can see exactly what’s going on. Any buyer who disappears into a back room with your jewelry is an immediate red flag and a sign that your buyer may not be as legitimate as you thought.
Payment: When & How You’ll Get Paid
This is arguably the easiest and quickest part of the procedure. After all, who doesn’t love to get paid? Additionally, as buyers of jewelry have become more modern, the versatility of payment types has updated as well. If you agree to the offer, payment is usually quick and easy and can consist of cash, check or even mobile payments such as Venmo or PayPal. Most times, these informal methods are not an indicator of a lack of professionalism or legitimacy.
However, if something feels off, it may be in your best interest to refuse the deal, as professionals will rarely make their sellers feel uncomfortable. Before anything changes hands, you’ll likely be asked for a valid photo ID and to sign a receipt for legal purposes. This protects both you and the buyer and is standard practice for any legitimate business.
Now that you know what to expect, you can handle the process of getting cash for gold near Pemberton with ease and confidence. Still, it’s important to consult an experienced professional for the best results and maximization of the value of your jewelry. The considerate team at Cherry Hill Coins Jewelry & Gold are more than qualified to do this for you. We work diligently to determine the value of your jewelry and explain why it is such. We won’t lowball and deflate the value of your jewelry. Our high standards and commitment to our customers set us apart from our competitors. The next time you decide to part with your valuables, we’d be honored if you chose us. Contact us today to learn more about the selling process!
