Have You Ever Pawned/sold Jewelry?

Updated on October 08, 2011
R.D. asks from Richmond, VA
16 answers

I have 3 pieces of jewelry I have no use for... 1 ring is yellow gold minus the main diamond (but has other stones), 1 is white gold with a gorgeous stone, but for some reason no one will size it for me (it's antique), and one's a white gold chain. I don't wear real stuff except my engagement and wedding ring.

I was thinking of pawning this stuff (hello Christmas shopping $$)... have you ever pawned anything? Did you have a good or bad experience?

Or is there a better way to sell jewelry? Do any reputable jewelry stores buy used stuff?

1 mom found this helpful

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

Featured Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.J.

answers from Milwaukee on

I use to work i a fine jewlery store and had a LOT of things. Things I stopped wearing YEARS ago.

My friend that was the goldsmith has his own store now and paid me a LOT more than I expected. It's good to have friends in low places...

MOST places that buy don't advertise. Just go in with the pieces and ask in person. My friend does that for safety reasons.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

T.F.

answers from San Francisco on

There is a jeweler in a town near us that sells jewelry on consignment. I agree you should try to find a reputable jeweler first.

1 mom found this helpful

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.H.

answers from Honolulu on

A gold buyer, will buy your gold.
They will take out your stones, and give it back to you.

Or the alternative is, going to a jewelry store and getting it appraised, per the whole piece of jewelry, then you know how much it is worth.
And some jewelers will buy jewelry.
So you might get more for it, for the whole piece of jewelry, versus selling it to a gold buyer, in which they only buy the gold.

Do not go to a pawn shop. You will not get a good deal.

Shop around. So see where you get the best price for your jewelry.
Do a Google search for your city.

Here is a link for you, to learn about it:
http://www.goldguys.com/index.php
This is a reputable company in my city.
They have tips on it, on selling your jewelry.

Also go here, to see what the rates of gold is now:
http://www.monex.com/liveprices
At one point, gold was $1880

4 moms found this helpful

J.W.

answers from St. Louis on

I went to a reputable jeweler. You still won't get full value but it is easier than trying to sell it on your own.

Otherwise tap Cheryl, that woman knows ebay!!!

2 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

don't go to a pawn shop. i heard they rip you off. look instead for places that buy your gold. i went to a place called triple a gold exchange (http://www.aaacashforgold.com/locations/) but it doesn't look like they have places outside of cali. i took in an old class ring and a couple of bracelets/necklaces. i was hoping for at least $100 and got back $360!! i couldn't believe it. they said it was b/c one of the pieces i brought was 24k gold which is almost pure gold. so the higher the K, the more cash you'll get. i kid you not - i took in 3 or 4 pieces of jewelry. still can't believe it. do some research on good places around you so you get hte most bang for your buck. you could also visit several stores and compare the $$ they would give you. good luck!

2 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.L.

answers from Chicago on

I sold some gold several months back..broken chains mismatched earrings...I am glad I did however, I did not do my homework i.e. research so I don't think I got a fair cash value...Well my fault. I wasn't prepared. So make sure you understand your prices and be prepared to negotiate...

2 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.P.

answers from New York on

Reputable jewelers will purchase your items from you. You will be fair market value (if you shop around) for the weight of the metals and the size/condition of the stones. I have sold odd earrings and broken chains, etc.

Definitely go to different places and see what offers you get. A pawn shop may be faster, but you won't get fair market value for it!

2 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.C.

answers from New York on

Many reputable jewelerys are buying gold for cash these days so don't go to a pawn shop. I have several old broken bits and pieces that I might bring in somewhere. But I plan to go to several places in one day and get a few prioces. Some places even give you a bit more if you have a coupon. Everyone wants scrap gold right now!

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

P.S.

answers from Houston on

Do it! We went to a gold exchange w/all our 18k and 14k gold (mostly necklaces, rings and bracelets) we didn't want anymore and made $350! We shopped around to several gold exchange places looking for the best offer and went back to that guy. Obviously, the ones w/precious stones were worth more.

1 mom found this helpful

D.D.

answers from Phoenix on

You can sell your gold easily! It's not the color, it's the karat gram. So 10k will get you a different price than 14k and 18k, etc. Then there is the gram weight that will come into play. So you could call some jewelers and ask what they are paying for that particular gram and karat to compare payout rates. Do you have a little scale you could weight it on?

If it is heirloom stuff, you could take it to a jeweler whom specializes in reselling instead of melting it down. You could get an estimate of what the vintage dealer would give you versus a scrap dealer.

Have fun getting those bucks!

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

G.B.

answers from Oklahoma City on

A pawn shop is only interested in resale value so the one ring would be pretty worthless to them without a stone in it. I would say take the items to a jewelry store that makes settings or that does custom orders. They have to have knowledge of skilled crafters that melt gold down to make different settings. They may be able to buy your jewelry at a better price, but estimates always help you know if someone is making a silly low bid to buy it.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

☆.A.

answers from Pittsburgh on

I'd sell the gold to a jeweler that buys it--they're everywhere.

Unfortunately, retail jewelry has about a 400% mark up, so the pieces won't be worth nearly what someone paid for them--but the raw gold will be!

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.H.

answers from Richmond on

try "yesterdays gold and silver", nice people to work with, there are right on midlothian turnpike, and alot nicer to work with then one of the big jewelry stores that act like they cant be bothered with you.i had an antique pinky ring that i had inherited and didnt have any need for, so i took it in to "yesterdays gold and silver" and got a good price for it.
K. h.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.N.

answers from Chicago on

I pawned a ring one time and got hardly anything for it. They give as little as possible. If you have a ring with real stones, see if a jeweler will buy the stones. I was once told taht a ring with stones is worth less than a plain ring and separate stones. Also that a jeweler is a better source than a pawn or gold broker. For an antique ring, you might be better off checking with estate buyers or selling it yourself.

H.G.

answers from Dallas on

Pawn shops do not give you anything for your jewelry! Go to a jewelry store that buys gold, you will get more that way. Good luck :)

S.M.

answers from Kansas City on

Well my husband recently replaced my wedding set. My other ring was one piece with a center diamond and smaller ones on each side in the shape of gift wrapping ribbon. Well that's what it reminded me of anyway. He paid 1200 for it new. He went to store after store and shop after shop and was only given 100 dollars. I guess they only want the gold and the band was thin.

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions