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10 Tips: Sell My Used Louis Vuitton Handbags
When it comes to used designer handbags, authentic Louis Vuitton handbags are perhaps the most popular item around. Thanks to the company’s exquisite craftsmanship and high quality materials, a well-cared for LV handbag could last a lifetime.
Because Louis Vuitton handbags are so popular, they also are a prime target for counterfeiters. The handbag market is literally flooded with fake LV bags, as well as misleading information supplied by unscrupulous sellers.
Here are ten quick tips that Louis Vuitton shoppers in San Diego need to know:
1) Upside-down LVs on the back-side of a Louis Vuitton handbag does not necessarily mean that it’s a fake bag. Some of the company’s handbags have this style.
2) Louis Vuitton never discounts their bags or offers irregular bags at outlet stores.
3) The countries where authentic Louis Vuitton handbags are made or have been made in the past are: France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United States.
4) Louis Vuitton always uses the same distinct fonts on it handbags and labels.
5) The monogram on a Louis Vuitton handbag is nearly always placed in the exact same spot on the handbag.
6) Louis Vuitton never attaches tags to its handbags. They are always given separately.
7) Difference in bag details exist in vintage Louis Vuitton handbags. But contemporary LV handbags are extraordinarily consistent.
8) All modern Louis Vuitton handbags have a production code. Over the past fifteen years that code starts with two letters, followed by four numbers.
9) Never purchase a used Louis Vuitton handbag online from an online handbag seller who only accepts payment via money orders, checks, or BidPay.
10) For full protection when purchasing a used handbag made by Louis Vuitton, buy it from an established bricks and mortar seller like San Diego Jewelry Buyers.
For more info on how you can sell handbags for cash today, contact San Diego Jewelry Buyers for a free, no hassle, appraisal.
We are your trusted A+ BBB rated San Diego used handbag buyer.
Is My Used Handbag Authentic or a Knockoff?
If you want to sell handbags or purses to a professional used handbag buyer such as San Diego Jewelry Buyers, the first step is to make sure that your designer item is authentic. If you did not purchase your ladies handbag from an authorized brick-and-mortar retailer, then checking the authenticity is especially important. If you are unsure about the authenticity of your handbag or purse there are a few simple things* that you can check before coming to San Diego Jewelry Buyers and having us thoroughly inspect your pre-owned designer handbag free of charge.
San Diego Tips: Is My Used Designer Handbag Authentic?
1) Check the stitching. One reason high-end handbags from brands like Hermes and Prada cost so much is that they are very carefully made by highly trained craftspeople. Check the stitching in spots not easy to see and look for sloppiness, unraveling, and/or inconsistency. The color of the stitching should be the same everywhere. Also check the overall complexity of the stitching pattern. If your used handbag looks stitched together in a very simple pattern, then it is likely a knockoff.
2) Check the materials. While some knockoffs are made from real leather, the quality of the leather is not equal to that of a designer bag from say Fendi or Louis Vuitton. The leather of a faux designer purse tends to be stiffer, slicker, and/or shinier. It will often also show discoloration and have an uneven look or texture. If you see crackles in the “leather” of your wallet or purse, that’s a bad sign. If your pre-owned handbag feels rather light, that’s not a good sign either, as this means it likely has been made with plastic.
3) Check the label. Check for any misspellings or other mistakes in the appearance of the label (such as words running together) on your pre-owned handbag. A label on an authentic designer handbag is stitched on very well, the imprint is strong and easy to read, and it is made from high quality material. Also check the point of origin listed on the label or tag. Luxury European purses are not manufactured in Asian countries like China or Taiwan.
4) Check the packaging. If you no longer have the original packaging, think back to when you bought your handbag or purse. The wrapping paper, tissues, box, and shopping bag should have had a very luxurious feel, as authentic bags are always packaged in a luxurious manner that matches the high price tag.
5) Check the zippers and snaps. The zipper(s) or your used purse or handbag should work flawlessly and the teeth be perfectly aligned. The metal snaps and buttons should be tightly secured to the bag and stay firmly attached when snapped together.
*Keep in mind that these are just basic tips. Knockoff designer handbags are becoming more and more difficult to detect easily. If your used handbag or purse passes the above inspection, then please do come down to SDJB and let us give it a full authenticity inspection. If it is genuine, we will give you an excellent cash offer on the spot.
For more info on how you can sell handbags for cash today, contact San Diego Jewelry Buyers for a free, no hassle, appraisal.
We are your trusted A+ BBB rated San Diego used handbag buyer.
Sell Platinum: Facts from Platinum Buyers
As San Diego’s #1 platinum buyer, we here at San Diego Jewelry Buyers love all things platinum. Those who own platinum or want to sell platinum to a local buyer might find the following facts about platinum interesting.
1) In 2005, luxury watchmaker Vacheron Constantin auctioned a platinum watch for $374,000 to mark its 250th anniversary.
2) More than 30% of all platinum supplied to international markets each year is used in catalytic converters to control harmful automobile emissions.
3) Platinum has historically tended to be more expensive than gold because it is rarer and has a wider range of irreplaceable applications.
4) The U.S. government declared platinum a strategic metal at the onset of World War II, and forbade its use in non-military applications, including jewelry.
5) Gasoline, fiber-optic cables, anti-cancer drugs, fertilizers, eyeglasses, explosives, paints, and pacemakers all rely on platinum.
6) Japan is the greatest consumer of platinum fine jewelry—while China is number 1 in total platinum consumption.
7) The Merensky Reef in South Africa produces about 75% of the world’s supply of platinum.
8) Ten tons of platinum ore must be excavated to yield a single ounce of pure platinum. Only three tons of gold ore are excavated to yield the same amount.
9) If the jewelry is marked with the word Platinum, it must be at least 95% pure by law.
10) Approximately 160 tons of platinum are mined every year versus 1,500 tons of gold.
For information on how you can sell platinum for cash today, contact San Diego Jewelry Buyers for a free, no hassle, appraisal.
We are San Diego’s trusted A+ BBB rated platinum buyer and estate jewelry buyer.
A Primer from San Diego Platinum Buyers
As San Diego’s most prominent platinum buyer, we here at San Diego Jewelry Buyers love all things platinum. Those who own platinum rings and jewelry or want to sell platinum to a local buyer should find the following article about platinum very interesting.
Platinum’s current march to the forefront of the jewelry industry has been a steady and in many ways remarkable one. In the last dozen years platinum jewelry demand has more than doubled world-wide. Consumption in the United States has increased by a startling 1500% percent since 1992—while bullish China recently propelled itself past Japan to the pole position of platinum buyers. Many leading designers have worked in the precious metal for years, their creations highly sought after by Hollywood personalities. Not surprisingly, many smaller designers and manufacturers (realizing that platinum is not a fad) are beginning to take a look at the metal for the first time. This article is for them. What follows is a short primer about platinum’s rich and mysterious history, its characteristics, and its popularity in fine jewelry.
The story of platinum is both noble and mysterious. Found in the sarcophagi of ancient Egypt and the ruins of Pre-Incan civilizations, the metal disappeared from the archeological record until the Spanish conquistadors of the 16th century stumbled across it in South America. Underestimating the metal’s value, they gave it the name “platina”, meaning “little silver”, and tossed it back into the rivers to age. Platinum first debuted in Europe during the alchemy craze of the 1700s and picked up added steam when King Louis XVI declared it the only metal fit for kings. But it wasn’t until the 19th century that methods were discovered and perfected to make the tough metal malleable, thereby permitting the timeless creations of royal designers such as Fabergé and Cartier.
In the United States, platinum jewelry reached its peak of popularity prior to World War II, at which time platinum was classified as a strategic metal and its use in jewelry forbidden. Just like today, the platinum boom in America was driven by Hollywood, with celluloid stars such as Mae West and Marlena Dietrich adorning themselves in the white metal, while Jean Harlowe added an artful precis to the trend with her performance as the title character in Frank Capra’s 1930s film Platinum Blonde. More recently, celebrity couples like Catherine Zeta Jones and Michael Douglas have pledged their love with platinum rings.
So does platinum live up to all the hype? Is it deserving of its reputation as the noblest of all metals? In a word, yes. And the reasons can be traced to its uncommon physical attributes—the first of which we’ll say is its purity. Platinum’s purity is a frequent selling point to consumers. The platinum used in fine jewelry-making is most commonly alloyed with only 5% or 10% other metals, usually Palladium, Ruthenium, Cobalt, or Iridium. This purity not only appeals to a jewelry buyer’s desire to purchase a gift for a loved one which symbolizes their heart-felt emotion but also makes the platinum piece hypoallergenic and suitable for those with sensitive skin. Additionally, because the metal is naturally white, it does not require plating to maintain its white luster.
The international standards for marking the purity of platinum jewelry can be nutshelled like this: Only jewelry containing 950 parts or more per thousand can be marked with the word “Platinum”, while jewelry containing 850 to 900 parts may be marked with the parts percentage plus the abbreviation PT or PLAT (for example 850 PLAT or PT 900). Jewelry containing less than 500 parts platinum cannot be stamped with the word “Platinum” or any of its abbreviations.
The second of platinum’s singular characteristics is its strength. Platinum is the strongest of all the precious metals, with a density 1.7 times that of 24k gold. Because of its strength many of the world’s most famous diamonds such as the Star of Africa and the Koh-I-Noor have been set in platinum. Like the metal itself, a platinum prong setting is considered “dead”, meaning that it has little or no memory. The setting is therefore not prone to sagging and can be expected to protect a precious stone for generations. Its weight also adds substance to even the most delicate ladies rings, while resisting the damage of daily wear, which is one reason it is a favorite for bridal jewelry.
Platinum’s appearance, its cool moon-glow like luster, is incomparable and another precious attribute. Its subtle beauty, which enhances the brilliance of precious gemstones like no other metal, has appealed to designers both past and present because of its versatility. Capable of being combined dramatically with 18 karat gold, or used as a stand alone setting, platinum offers designers avenues of invention not offered by other metals. Recently platinum mixed with pink gold and pink colored gemstones has become a hot ticket item among many platinum jewelry buyers. Other designers have taken advantage of the discreet luxury that platinum exudes to market the sentimental looks of days gone by and developed vintage-inspired collections from the Victorian, Edwardian, and Art Deco periods.
Lastly, platinum is truly a rare metal. Its scarcity far exceeds that of its nearest competitors on the precious metals market—a popular analogy having been made that if all the platinum in the world were to be poured into an Olympic size swimming pool the depth wouldn’t rise above your ankles. This rarity appeals to consumers seeking special one-of-a kind jewelry. But the metal also brings with it price concerns for both consumers and manufacturers.
The majority of the supply on the platinum market comes from only two places on the globe, South Africa and Russia, and platinum prices have been ballooning in recent years. In 2008, platinum prices spiked at $2,252 per ounce, causing a slowing of demand in many markets. Currently, prices are fluctuating around $1,400. Although South African producers such as Lonmin Platinum have been expanding production levels, the demand from platinum buyers is also increasing, thus many forecasters believe that the days when platinum was priced below $1,000 are gone forever.
For information on how you can sell platinum for cash today, contact San Diego Jewelry Buyers for a free, no hassle, appraisal.
We are San Diego’s trusted A+ BBB rated platinum buyer and estate jewelry buyer.
Sell Silver: Facts from San Diego Silver Buyers
As San Diego’s #1 silver buyer, we here at San Diego Jewelry Buyers love all things silver. Those who own silver or want to sell silver to a local buyer might find the following facts about silver interesting.
1) A hoard of English silver acquired by Imelda and Ferdinand E. Marcos when he was President of the Philippines was auctioned in 1991 at Christie’s for $4.9 million, a record for a sale of silver.
2) By 269 B.C. Rome had adopted silver as part of its standard coinage, and the precious metal became the trading medium for merchants throughout the civilized world.
3) Since the 14th century, Sterling Silver (92.5% silver, 7.5% copper) has been the standard for authentic silverware in many countries.
4) From 1500 through 1800, Bolivia, Peru and Mexico were responsible for over 85 percent of the world’s production and trade in silver.
5) Today, Mexico is the only country currently using silver in its circulating coinage.
6) Modern demand for silver centers around three main pillars: industrial and decorative uses, photography, and jewelry & silverware.
7) Silver can achieve a more brilliant polish than gold because of its greater reflectivity.
8) Silver is the best electrical conductor of all metals.
9) Invisible silver is a transparent coating of silver on double pane thermal windows that helps us save energy.
10) The use of silver in high-performance bearings provides the wide margin of safety demanded by luxury automobile manufacturers like Rolls Royce and the producers of jet engines that power modern aircraft.
For information on how you can sell silver for cash today, contact San Diego Jewelry Buyers for a free, no hassle, appraisal.
We are San Diego’s trusted A+ BBB rated silver buyer and luxury pawn shop.
Sell Gold: Facts from San Diego Gold Buyers
As San Diego’s #1 gold buyer, we here at San Diego Jewelry Buyers love all things gold. Those who own gold jewelry and gold coins or want to sell gold to a local buyer or gold refinery might find the following facts about gold interesting.
1) In 2002, Sotheby’s auctioned a 1933 Double Eagle gold coin for a record sum of 7.59 million dollars.
2) Fine gold can be beaten into sheets with a thickness of 0001112 mm. A pile an inch high would contain more than 200,000 sheets.
3) The modern term “carat” (the measurement for gold purity) comes from the word carob, because carob seeds were once used by Chinese merchants to balance their scales.
4) All of the gold in the world could be compressed into the area of an 18 yard cube.
5) It is harder to find a one-ounce gold nugget than it is to discover a five-carat diamond.
6) Gold is so heavy that one cubic foot weighs 1000 pounds.
7) The largest gold nugget in America was found in California and weighed 195 pounds.
8) The United States government banned private ownership of gold from 1933-1974.
9) Gold is so soft it is seldom used in its pure form.
10) South Africa is the largest producing gold country in the world today.
For information on how you can sell gold for cash today, contact San Diego Jewelry Buyers for a free, no hassle, appraisal.
We are your trusted A+ BBB rated San Diego gold buyer and luxury pawn shop.
San Diego Tips: Why Sell Your Gold Now?
uring the past five years gold prices have rocketed from $400 an ounce to hover consistently around the $1000 an ounce range. Recently, it even topped $1,400! This means that you can recoup much of the retailer markup that you paid when you initially bought your gold chain, gold ring, or other gold jewelry when you sell scrap gold today with a San Diego gold refinery or sell gold jewelry with a dedicated gold jewelry buyer.
In addition, now is the time to Go Green in all aspects of your life to help protect the environment for our children. By recycling gold jewelry, scrap gold, and dental gold with SDJB, you are lessening the demand for increased gold mining activity around the globe. We are proud members of the NoDirtyGold campaign and the Ethical Metalsmiths.
Let SDJB show you why we consistently provide the best gold prices in San Diego, with offers that beat the heavily advertised, national gold buyers.
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For more info on how to sell gold for cash today, contact San Diego Jewelry Buyers for a free, no hassle, appraisal.
We are San Diego’s trusted A+ BBB rated gold refinery and gold jewelry buyer.
How to Sell Gold Jewelry to Gold Buyers
Note: Although the following tips on how to sell gold jewelry are for people in San Diego County, this guide is good for all who are looking to sell gold at the best price to their local gold buyer or gold refinery. Remember that all gold buyers are not the same. Educate yourself and get the most money for your gold jewelry, scrap gold, gold coins, and dental gold. You deserve nothing less.
1. Whenever a San Diego gold buyer quotes you prices in pennyweights, ask them to convert it to a gram price or be ready to make the conversion yourself (1 pennyweight equals about 1.555 grams). Be aware that some gold jewelry buyers make phone quotations in pennyweights as a way of sounding like they pay 1 ½ times more money than their competitors.
2. Always be sure that the price a San Diego gold buyer is quoting you is the actual price that they will pay you, and not the price that gold bullion is selling for on the commodities market. If the figure they quote you sounds too good to be true, it probably is. They are probably giving you the bullion price, and not the actual value of your gold. Always ask, “Is that how much you will pay me per gram?”
3. Make sure that the San Diego gold buyer separates the gold by gold purity and pays you according to the different karatage. He or she should be willing to test the gold in front of you, show you how the different gold types were determined, and pay you according to each gold type (meaning 10K, 14K, 18K, etc.). Remember that platinum is not the same as white gold. White gold is worth the same as yellow gold, but platinum is worth more.
4. If a San Diego gold buyer (or supposed “gold refinery”) offers to beat any price in town, try to figure out exactly what that means. Ask questions looking for a “catch,” such as will they buy all of your gold, or just choose the best pieces? Will they pay more for antique or designer pieces or give one blanket price per gram for everything? The important thing to remember is this: If they’re willing to beat any price in town, then why wouldn’t they just give you their best price to begin with?
5. Be careful when the offer that you were given over the phone changes dramatically after you get to the San Diego gold buyer’s office. Some gold jewelry buyers might give you a real high offer over the phone as a way of getting you to come in and see them. Then after you get there, the gold buyer might come up with various reasons as to why they have to pay you substantially less. Gold buyers who use this tactic count on a certain number of people who will go through with the transaction anyway. If the initial phone offer is reduced dramatically, the gold buyer should have a very credible reason for doing so.
6. Look for gold jewelry buyers with the most knowledge, as they are most likely to pay you the most. For example, a David Webb gold brooch from the 1970s might be worth 5-10 times its weight in gold. The average gold buyer won’t realize this. But a gold buyer like San Diego Jewelry Buyers will understand this and pay you the true market value for designer gold jewelry.
7. Be wary of San Diego gold buyers who are unwilling to make you any kind of offer for your gold jewelry, and insist that you tell them the price that you want for it. Fair and professional buyers of gold jewelry should be able to give you a fair and professional price, no questions asked.
8. Mail-in gold buyers may work for people who either never leave their homes, or live hours away from a reputable gold buyer, but research has shown that these gold buyers pay significantly less than local gold jewelry buyers. Sometimes what might sound like a good offer over the phone turns out to be less appealing after you learn about hidden costs, adjusted quotes, and things you didn’t catch in the fine print.
9. Don’t choose a gold buyer solely out of convenience. A little bit of research, and possibly a little bit of driving, could mean a lot of extra money in your pocket when you sell gold.
10. Don’t feel bullied into taking the first offer you’re given. Some San Diego gold buyers may try to hard close you by threatening to retract their offer if you don’t accept it now, or use other hardball closing techniques. If you feel like the transaction is confrontational and intimidating go somewhere else. Selling gold jewelry in San Diego should be comfortable and entirely stress free. After you sell gold, you should walk away feeling good about the experience and the amount of money in your pocket.
For more info on how to sell gold jewelry for cash today, contact San Diego Jewelry Buyers for a free, no hassle, appraisal.
We are San Diego’s trusted A+ BBB rated diamond and gold jewelry buyer.
Sell Gold & Spot San Diego Gold Scams
Ever since the “gold rush” began around two years ago, hundreds of “gold buyers” and “gold refineries” have emerged, seeking to capitalize on consumers’ desires to sell gold jewelry and scrap gold while gold prices remain high. Unfortunately, as with any kind of hot consumer trend, these new businesses often seek not to serve customers while making a fair and ethical profit, but to take advantage of consumers.
In San Diego and nationwide, we find gold buyers and refineries who prey on customers’ needs for quick cash, convincing them to sell their gold at prices far below what a reputable gold buyer would pay them. These unscrupulous buyers are in the gold buying business simply to make a fast buck while the gold craze lasts.
To help you sell gold without the risk of being caught in a gold scam, San Diego Jewelry Buyers, the most prominent San Diego gold buyer and gold refinery, offers the following tips to those looking to sell gold.
1) Beware of gold buyers who pressure you in any way to sell scrap gold or gold jewelry.
2) Be cautious of gold buyers who “lowball” you first, then when you decline, offer a slightly higher amount of for your dental gold or gold gift asset. Ethical buyers offer you their best price right from the start.
3) Be very skeptical of gold refineries and buyers whose ranking with the Better Business Bureau is lower than a B. Learn more about the company by reading any BBB complaints that have been filed and examine their online customer reviews via Google.
4) Walk away from gold buyers who do not make you a buying offer immediately on examining or receiving your used gold items.
5) Avoid gold buyers who do not test and weigh your gold rings and other gold jewelry directly in front of you.
6) Beware of gold buyers that don’t have a bricks and mortar office and exist solely online, as well as buyers and refineries who have no track record in the gold buying and jewelry buying business.
7) Don’t sell gold to online buyers who work via eBay or other online auction sites and have low (or little) customer feedback scores or who are located outside the United States.
8) Be extra cautious using mail-in gold buyers who do not insure your package for the full price of the gold or fail to provide a tracking number for shipment. Check the insurance and tracking details before sending any gold in the mail.
9) Be wary of gold buyers who say they are the best place to sell scrap gold because they are a gold refinery and eliminate the middle man. Some “gold refinery” gold buyers have been found by investigative journalists to pay among the lowest prices for gold. Research the gold buyer (be they a gold refinery or not) before doing business with them.
10) Beware of mail-in gold buyers that offer only a 10 day guarantee. This time period can be “gamed” so that they don’t receive your refusal and returned check in time to return your gold. If dealing with a mail-in gold buyer, look for a 30 day guarantee.
For more info on how you can sell gold for cash today, contact San Diego Jewelry Buyers for a free, no hassle, appraisal.
We are your trusted A+ BBB rated San Diego gold refinery and gold jewelry buyer.
Sell Watches: Facts from Used Watch Buyers
As San Diego’s #1 watch buyer, we here at San Diego Jewelry BuyersTM love all things about high quality timepieces Those who own Swiss watches or want to sell watches to a local buyer might find the following facts about fine mechanical timepieces interesting.
1) In 2008 a gold chronograph wristwatch by Patek Philippe called the “Trossi Leggenda” was auctioned by Sotheby’s for a record breaking $2.25 million.
2) Experts believe that the Egyptians were the first to invent watches, which estimated time by the flow of running water.
3) The first pocket watches were invented in 16th century England, and worn around the neck because they were so big.
4) Leonardo da Vinci drew a fusee (a cone-shaped pulley) for a clock. The system used in his sketch was later used in the watch industry.
5) In 1583 Galileo discovered that the speed of a pendulum swing depends on its length.
6) In 1790, Jacquet-Droz and Leschet introduced the first wristwatch in Geneva, Switzerland as a watch fixed to a bracelet.
7) The first wristwatch for men was invented by Louis Cartier, who created it for his friend Brazilian pilot Alberto Santos-Dumont.
8) Breguet was the Russian Tsars’ timepiece of choice. A Breguet was also worn by Napoleon at Waterloo.
9) Sir Edmund Hilary conquered Mt. Everest in 1953 wearing a Rolex Oyster.
10) The Omega Speedmaster is the first and the only watch worn by NASA astronauts in their missions to the moon.
For information on how you can sell watches for cash today, contact San Diego Jewelry Buyers for a free, no hassle, appraisal.
We are San Diego’s trusted A+ BBB rated watch buyer and luxury pawn shop.
