Things You Should Know Before Selling Your Jewelry
Monday, October 19th, 2009Selling your jewelry can be a hassle. Going around to different jewelers to compare different offers is a good idea, but you have to know a few things to make sure that you’re getting a fair price for your goods. Consider the following points before you set out to sell your jewelry pieces.
Retail Value vs. Scrap Metal Value
The difference between a piece of jewelry’s retail value and its scrap metal value tends to be pretty big. This is because when you buy a piece of jewelry from a retailer, you’re not just paying for the intrinsic value of the metal. In fact, most of what you’re paying for is the craftsmanship and the aesthetic beauty of the piece. A scrap metal buyer, however, only cares about the intrinsic metal value of the piece, so the price you’ll fetch for it will be anywhere from three to twenty times less than what you originally paid for.
Engravings are not always accurate
A lot of countries don’t have strict rules that regulate how accurate the karat count engravings have to be on jewelry pieces. Often, companies will place an engraving that states that the piece has a higher karat value than it actually does, in order to sell it for more than it’s worth. It’s quite likely that some of your jewelry piece have incorrect engravings, and a reputable jeweler will usually be able to tell. When engagement ring shopping in San Diego, Consult with a third-party appraiser to verify just how much your jewelry is actually worth so that you get a fair price.
Old vs. Antique Value
The jewelry industry is dominated by style trends. This means that if your jewelry is out of style it won’t fetch as much money in the resell market as jewelry that is in style. The other side of this is antique jewelry, which can actually command a higher price than jewelry that is in line with the current aesthetic and style trends. Antique jewelry is collectible and timeless, and many jewelers will pay very good money if they see an authentic, antique piece.
Cleaning
Make sure to clean your jewelry properly before setting out to sell it. Clean jewelry looks more attractive and will fetch a higher price. Make sure not to use chlorine for gold and gems. Avoid ammonia products, as these can damage certain kinds of gems.
Ryan Frank is a 23 year writer and blogger living in San Diego, CA. Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/jewelry-articles/things-you-should-know-before-selling-your-jewelry-1356521.html
