Choosing to sell a piece of jewelry is always a tough call. That’s especially if it’s an heirloom jewelry with deep sentimental value or an engagement ring that symbolizes a profound romantic connection.

However, there comes a time when it’s best to part with your jewelry rather than hold on to it.

Perhaps your romantic relationship is irreparably broken, and you’re not keen on preserving any mementos! Maybe you’re in dire straits and seeking quick cash, or your lifestyle has changed, and you need to upgrade your ensemble accordingly.

Whatever the motivation, it’s essential to find a suitable jewelry buyer. Insist on a reputable business that guarantees a maximum return on investment (RoI) for your precious asset.

Below are the five ways to obtain the highest offer from a jewelry buyer.

 

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1. Choose Dealers Wisely

 

Jewelry stores aren’t challenging to come by. However, it’s important to tread cautiously while scouting for the right buyer.

First, decide on a suitable dealership. You can choose a jewelry buyer from any of the below store types;

Local Jewelers

 

Local jewelers typically source their jewelry from specific distributors. These dealers place a high premium on quality and will only buy your jewelry if it possesses certain attributes. However, they guarantee reasonable offers and instant payouts.

Jewelry Specialists

 

Jewelry specialists are specialized buyers who, like local jewelers, attach a high premium on quality. The principal difference is that most specialists operate online jewelry stores in addition to their physical outlets.

Consignment Stores

 

Jewelry consignment businesses acquire your pre-owned jewelry and try to sell it on your behalf, receiving a cut from the sale price. While you retain full ownership of your jewelry until it’s sold, consignment dealers provide no guarantee of sale or immediate payouts.

Pawnshops

 

Among the least favorable places to sell your jewelry are pawn shops. While they typically guarantee immediate payouts, pawn shops are notorious for offering rock-bottom rates.

Other possible places to sell your jewelry include the following:

• Online marketplaces, such as Amazon and eBay
• Auction houses
• Dropshipping businesses

 

After choosing from the above jewelry dealerships, sample multiple stores and choose the best-rated one.

2. Research Your Jewelry’s Value

 

Most jewelry is made from diamonds. Therefore, your research should center on the so-called Four Cs – carat size, cut, clarity, and color.

Below is how each aspect can impact your jewelry’s value and, ultimately, its selling price;

Cut Weight

 

A jewelry’s price increases proportionately to its carat weight, as larger diamonds are rare.

Cut

 

Popular but rare diamond cuts, such as round brilliant, sell more than common ones.

Color

 

Transparent or near-colorless diamonds (those closer to D on the D-Z color scale) fetch higher prices.

Clarity

 

Clarity is measured by the absence of blemishes and inclusions. Fewer flaws translate to a higher value and resale price.

 

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3. Understand Your Jewelry’s Other Characteristics

Besides the Four Cs, several other aspects may impact your jewelry’s selling price.

One such factor is fluorescence. While up to 30% of diamonds fluoresce to some extent, fluorescence is deemed a defect, especially for colorless diamonds.

Next is your jewelry’s shape. Unlike cut (which denotes the proportions and symmetry of the diamond in your jewelry piece), shape represents the item’s style.

It’s also important to establish whether you possess a loose gemstone or a gemstone set in a ring. Pre-set jewelry may fetch slightly higher as you sell two items: the gemstone and a ring.

Finally, is the jewelry made from a naturally obtained or lab-grown gemstone? Natural gemstones have a higher sentimental value, making them more expensive than lab-grown stones.

 

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4. Get Your Jewelry Appraised

One of the first questions a prospective jewelry buyer will ask is whether your jewelry has been appraised.

Attempting to sell a non-appraised piece of jewelry immediately puts the buyer at a disadvantage regarding price haggling.

Before approaching a jewelry dealer, get the item appraised by a reputable valuer. Insist on an appraiser without affiliation with local jewelry stores, as you’re assured of their professional and unbiased review.

More importantly, each appraisal process should culminate in a report that estimates your jewelry’s monetary value. The estimates are typically based on the item’s craftsmanship and prevailing market rates.

5. Get the Jewelry Certified

While appraisals may clue you in on your jewelry’s market value, they’re easy to challenge since they don’t focus on the item’s distinctive physical attributes. That’s where certification comes in.

Also known as jewelry grading, certification focuses on a piece of jewelry’s Four Cs. It also targets related aspects like shape and fluorescence.

Whisk your jewelry to a reputable gemologist and have it carefully certified. At the completion of the process, you’ll receive a grading report highlighting the item’s physical characteristics.

Presenting a grading report to a prospective jewelry buyer portrays profound knowledge about the item’s value. The dealer will certainly think carefully before making an offer.

 

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Summary

Selling jewelry isn’t something most people do every other day. So, when it comes down to it, it’s essential to give up the item for the best possible price. Implementing these tips can be instrumental in obtaining the best offer from a jewelry buyer.

Remember to carefully research a buyer’s reputation before visiting their outlets. Check online reviews for insights into what previous jewelry owners had to say about the store. Factors like ethical sourcing and payment plans are also critical when scouting for the ideal buyer for your pre-loved jewelry piece.