Selling Your Jewelry

How Do I Get the Most Value for my Jewelry?

Many people try selling their jewelry via classified ad or the Internet. Selling jewelry by classified ad is time-intensive, and fine jewelry buyers aren’t readers of the classifieds. Likewise, selling jewelry on the Internet requires knowing how orchestrate the right combination of variables to attract the most desirable buyers. Without this knowledge and experience, you will sell an item for a fraction of its real value.

By contrast, it’s far more effective to sell through a reputable and experienced jeweler or auction house specializing in used and antique jewelry. The people in these businesses are professionals who make their living getting the most money for their customers’ jewelry. They do extensive research and have far-reaching connections to find the best potential buyers who will pay full value.


What Options Do I Have?

1. Consignment- Sell your jewelry through Consignment in a jewelry store to get top dollar on fine jewelry and large diamonds. However, bear in mind that this might take a few months, even a year or more, for the perfect buyer to come along.

2. Cash- Sell it for cash to a reputable jeweler. While this may be the easiest and quickest route, it won’t bring in as much as consignment.

3. Auction/eBay-Sell it through an experienced jewelry auction or an eBay dealer specializing in jewelry. This can be a very profitable route, but it is highly dependent on the marketing skills and ability of the auctioneer to place your jewelry before the best potential buyers. For some kinds of period jewelry, it may be the most profitable way to sell, especially when collectors may be scattered across the globe.

4. Pawn Shop-Sell it to a pawn dealer for scrap value. Usually this brings the lowest value of all the options.

Right now Shelley’s is paying cash for these items:

Filigree rings
1-10 carat diamonds
Rolex watches
Tiffany
Van Cleef & Arpels
David Webb pieces
Georg Jensen
Cartier