Pawn Shops V. We Buy Gold!

Updated on February 05, 2014
K.M. asks from Newburgh, NY
10 answers

I have some old jewelry that I need to get rid of. It's mostly 14k gold. Would it be better to sell it at a pawn shop or a We Buy Gold type place?

Thanks!

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J.S.

answers from Richland on

Neither, a reputable jewelry store is your best bet.

2 moms found this helpful

D.B.

answers from Boston on

You could also try a reputable antique store - your jewelry may have value as is, or just for the weight in gold. An antique dealer who does a lot of both will know which is best for you. There is an antiques mini-mall about 30 minutes from us, with multiple shops. I browsed there to see what each one's specialty was, and made some choices about where to take things. There is a jeweler there who sometimes gives better prices than the antique dealer, and vice versa.

I found them by taking some things to a major auction house (Skinner), which I found by talking to an auctioneer I know who specializes in antiques. One referral led to another, and the auction jewelry expert took some things but told me to take other things to a particular antique dealer. She was in the mini-mall, and I found the jeweler that way.

So, network! Don't be afraid to let each one know you are talking to someone else. I've also gone back to one and said "X said he would give me $800. Can you match or beat that price?"

I'd stay away from pawn shops unless you know for sure they specialize in jewelry and know what they are looking at. Some of the "gold parties" have a knowledgeable person, and sometimes not. Go with someone who makes all their money dealing in old gold.

1 mom found this helpful

T.F.

answers from Dallas on

Get facts so you know the market value of gold and silver.

We invest in gold and silver and it's vital to know what you are doing. If not you will lose because you will be played based on your knowledge.

Your best bet is a reputable jeweler in your area versus the pawn shops, gold "stores" , and gold parties.

1 mom found this helpful

J.B.

answers from Houston on

A We Buy Gold place will pay more than a Pawn Shop (actually having worked in both).

1 mom found this helpful
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O.O.

answers from Los Angeles on

Took a fre little things to a well known gold buyer here---wow! Could not believe the deal.
I think they are required to post the daily buying price so look around.
Reputable? You leave with a check based on the weight--it's not rocket science! Lol

1 mom found this helpful
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E.T.

answers from Albuquerque on

Depends on whether the jewelry has more value as pieces of jewelry or just as ounces of gold. You can kind of figure this out by weighing your plain gold and multiplying out what the "we buy gold" places are offering per ounce. Would a pawn shop offer you more for the pieces? Also, make sure your jewelry is really gold, not gold plated. If it's gold plated, you want to go to a pawn shop because there's no value in the gold.

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D.N.

answers from Chicago on

Check out both places. Get quotes from multiple to make sure you get a good price. Also, check out the price of gold. I sold some last year and got a good price. if anything has stones, you will not get the value for them so you may want to remove them or check a jeweler to purchase the jewelry.

Last year I used ehow to figure out how much my jewelry was worth. You can use a kitchen scale to weigh it. Of course they do take a profit but you can tell if you are getting ripped off.

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C.P.

answers from Albuquerque on

Yep, shop around--try both. We've bought and sold precious metals (gold & silver) and it really just depends... Like others said, it may also depend whether your jewelry is worth more as jewelry pieces or as "scrap." See what they offer you. You can also try ebay. Do some research on what you have, because if you go into a place having some idea of what it's worth, you have more room to negotiate. If you go in there all "I dunno what this is" they may take advantage of you.

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V.P.

answers from Columbus on

I would not trust either to give you a good price. I'm with Julie

C.O.

answers from Washington DC on

Go to your jeweler. I would not do a pawn shop or "we buy gold".

Good luck!

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