How to Sell Jewelry
Are you considering selling your jewelry and not sure how to start? You may have come to this decision for a multitude of reasons. By selling jewelry, you can easily raise funds to cover any expenses you have. Maybe you have been holding onto an engagement ring from your ex, fallen out of love with an old favorite or have an overflowing jewelry box that needs to be sorted. No matter why you want to sell your jewelry, keep reading to learn how you can safely sell your pieces and get the best offer.
Are you considering selling your jewelry and not sure how to start? You may have come to this decision for a multitude of reasons. By selling jewelry, you can easily raise funds to cover any expenses you have. Maybe you have been holding onto an engagement ring from your ex, fallen out of love with an old favorite or have an overflowing jewelry box that needs to be sorted. No matter why you want to sell your jewelry, keep reading to learn how you can safely sell your pieces and get the best offer.
How much is my Jewelry Worth?
The first step to getting a price is to establish exactly what you have. If you still have the documentation for your jewelry you can use this to accurately assess the characteristics of your jewelry. Useful jewelry paperwork includes:
- The receipt at the time of purchase
- GIA report
- Authenticity cards
- Any other gemological lab certification
These documents not only help establish the characteristics of your piece (metal type, gemstone type, designer brand, age and provenance) but also can help prove the authenticity of your jewelry.
What if you don’t have any paperwork? This is not uncommon. We would suggest going to a local jeweler to get an educated opinion. Jewelers can often give you a good idea about the characteristics of your jewelry for free. For designer jewelry such as Tiffany or Cartier, you should if possible, also provide the box the jewelry came in. Collectors look to purchase designer jewelry with its box in good condition and its papers. With all of this supplementary material, you are equipped to get a price from a buyer. But don’t worry; you can still sell your jewelry both without the original box and paperwork.
Keep in mind that the resell value of your jewelry will not be the same as when you first bought it. Diamonds, for example, typically resell for 25% to 40% of their original price. If you are uncertain about the offers provided to you, speak with several reputable buyers to determine your best option.
For Diamond Jewelry Know the 4 C’s of Your Piece
If you are selling diamond jewelry it is important to establish the 4 C’s of your diamonds:
- Color Grade – This indicates how much color, or lack thereof, that the diamond shows. Color grades range from D to Z with D being colorless and Z being a light yellow. For white diamonds, the less color in the stone, the more valuable it is.
- Clarity Grade – This refers to the presence, of lack thereof, of imperfections in the stone. This grade considers inclusions that are visible on the diamond when set in the jewelry as well as those obstructed when set in the jewelry.
- Carat Weight – This denotes how heavy the stone is, with a single carat weighing about 0.02g. The greater the carat weight, the more valuable the stone.
- Cut Grade – This indicates the cut quality and proportions of the stone. The GIA does not grade fancy cut diamonds so if you see a cut grade associated with a diamond that is not round, this grade is from the jeweler.
Where to Sell Jewelry for the Best Price
When it comes to selling your jewelry you have several options:
- Pawnshops – They offer a fast and easy way to get cash for your jewelry. However, pawnshop workers are not jewelers or gemologists that can accurately assess your jewelry. You will therefore be opening yourself to underselling.
- Auction Houses – These have diamond experts on staff who can evaluate the characteristics and value of your jewelry. However, you will need to wait for an auction to be held and an interested buyer to be present, therefore this is a process that can take months and there is no guarantee it will sell. Remember that the auction house will also take a cut of your final price.
- Online Ads – With sites like Craigslist, it is easy to put your jewelry up for sale and name your price. However, much like selling at auction, you cannot be certain how long it will take for you jewelry to sell or that it even will. Be sure to exercise caution and not to share any unnecessary personal information. When you do meet the buyer, always meet in a public place with a friend or family member.
- Specialized Online Jewelry Buyers –Specialized jewelry buyers, such as WP Diamonds, have qualified gemologists who can most accurately assess and price your jewelry. Online buyers do not have the same high overheads as brick and mortar stores and as specialist jewelry buyers they have the industry connections to offer the best prices.
Is it Safe to Sell Jewelry Online?
It is natural to feel anxious about selling your jewelry online as you do not want to run the risk of getting scammed. However it is completely safe to sell online as long as you choose to work with a reputable and established online buyer. Look for a buyer that is BBB accredited, has great reviews, fully insures your jewelry, and does not have any hidden fees.
By selling your jewelry to WP Diamonds, you are choosing to sell safely and quickly for the best price. The advantages of working with WP Diamonds include:
- Free online quotes, simply fill out our online form to receive yours.
- The option of getting a final price for your jewelry either via appointment or through our free and insured overnight shipping service. Should you choose not accept our final price, we simply mail your jewelry back to you at no cost.
- No commissions or hidden fees, so the offer we give you is the exact amount of money you will receive.
- Our process is so easy and fast that you can get funds in as little as 24 hours from receiving your initial price quote.
- You can trust our A+ rating from the BBB and reviews from hundreds of satisfied customers.
- As diamond and jewelry experts with decades of experience in the industry, we have the knowledge and connections necessary to get you the best price for your items.
Click the button below to receive your price quote or call or text our GIA certified gemologists at 646-758-0270 if your have questions about the process.