Is your jewelry box overflowing? Jewelry is one of those items that seems to slowly accumulate over a lifetime. Maybe you got a ring from an aunt when you were in high school, inherited some of your grandmother’s old jewelry, and then slowly built up your own collection as an adult. It’s unlikely that you are able to give all of those items the time and attention that they deserve. There are probably one or two (or ten) items collecting dust in the back of your closet or jewelry box. So why not sell them?
The thought of selling your jewelry can be a little intimidating, though. How will you know what it’s worth? How will you know you are getting a fair price for it? After all, you bought and held onto these pieces because they were special to you, so you don’t want to let them go for nothing. Our jewelry buyers in La Jolla have been working with sellers in the area for more than thirty years and we know how selling pieces out of your jewelry collection can be an emotional experience. We have tips to help make the process of selling your jewelry and little easier and help you ensure you are getting the best price on each piece.
10 Tip for Selling Your Jewelry
Gather any documentation you have on the pieces.
Whether you are selling an old engagement ring or a necklace handed down from your grandmother, documentation matters. Gather any information you have about the piece, including receipts from the purchase, evaluations from gemologists, or even historical documents that mention the jewelry. All of these things can help a buyer evaluate the price and increase its value.
Get an appraisal of all the pieces you are considering selling.
It’s a good idea to have all of the pieces you might sell appraised. This will serve a few purposes. First, it will give you an idea of whether or not the piece is going to be worth selling. Secondly, if you decide not to sell it, you’ll have an appraisal to adjust your insurance coverage with and protect the pieces that you’ve chosen to keep. Either way, it’s a good investment to make in your jewelry collection.
Carefully weigh their emotional value versus their cash value.
The items you are thinking of selling might be worth more the memories they hold for you than the amount of cash they could put in your pocket. How much value you place on those memories is purely up to you, but take time to think about it. You don’t want to rush into selling a piece only to regret it later once the money is gone.
Consider all of your selling options.
There are a number of ways you can sell your jewelry, and they all have their pros and cons. Selling online might net you more money, but it can take a very long time to find a buyer and you run the risk of getting scammed. In-person jewelry buyers will have the cash to buy your items right there and then, though you may have to take slightly less in order to leave room for a profit when they resell the item.
Read reviews of potential jewelry buyers in the area.
If you decide to work with a local jewelry buyer, take time to do your research. Read reviews about the business and see what other sellers have to say about their interactions with the company. Don’t be afraid to call up the buyers or stop in to see them if they have a physical location, too. Talking to them may give you a better idea as to whether or not they are the kind of people to whom you’d feel comfortable selling your collection.
Give everything a thorough but gentle scrub.
Before you take your items in to sell, take a few minutes to clean them up. There is a good chance that simply cleaning up your jewelry and doing some minor repairs on the items will fetch you a slightly higher price. Simply wash the items in warm water with a mild detergent. You can scrub dirtier items with a soft-bristled toothbrush to get in all of the tiny nooks and crannies of the items. There are also jewelry cleaning products on the market, but be careful that you aren’t using something on an antique piece that could end up damaging it. If you are concerned, take the items to a professional to be cleaned before you sell them.
Be realistic about the price you want to get.
For many people, this is the toughest part of selling their jewelry. You might have dreams of cashing in big on your collection, but it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to quit your day job from your jewelry sales. It might, however, help you pay off some bills or even help you work towards that dream vacation. It’s important to go into the process with a realistic idea of what you are likely to get for each item. If you are selling to a local jewelry buyer, remember that they aren’t going to be able to give you the full appraisal value of the item. They’ll need to be able to leave some room to make a profit off of the item; otherwise, they won’t be in business for long. The benefit to you is that you’ll get cash in hand that day and won’t have to wait to find a qualified buyer yourself. Keep in mind that trends come and go in jewelry, too; what was popular 10 years ago might not be worth as much today because the item now looks dated. Antique and vintage items could be worth a lot more, though, simply because they have come back in style and people appreciate these older items.
Looking for a Trusted Place to Sell Your Jewelry?
H. Moradi in La Jolla can help you sell your jewelry in safe, respectful environment. We pay top dollar for quality jewelry items including rings, necklaces, bracelets, earrings, watches, and more. If you’d like to explore the possible profits from selling items out of your collection, come speak to a member of our team. We’re located on Prospect Street in La Jolla, so we’re easy to reach from the surrounding area. Our no-pressure team will talk to you about what your items might be worth and they’ll be able to give you a cash offer right there and then. If you’d like to speak to us on the phone or via email before you visit us in person, you can find contact information on our website. Let us be your trusted partner as you sell your jewelry and clear out your collection to make room for new pieces!