our Beware of Rogue California Gold Buyers – How to Sell Gold the Safe & Smart Way
If you are selling gold in California, please do so the smart and safe way by selling gold to a licensed gold dealer. As reported by KTVU News, rogue gold buyers have popped up in many places and may appear like legitimate businesses. These illegal gold buying operations put both the gold seller at risk and the community, because rogue gold buyers can easily cheat customers and their business fuels local crime.
To watch the KTVU special report on rogue gold buyers, please click the following link: Illegal Gold Buyers.
To learn how to sell gold safely and legally for the cash that you deserve, please see SDJB’s gold sellers tips at: How to Sell Gold.
What is SDJB paying today for a sterling silver tea set that weighs 950 grams?
If San Diego Jewelry Buyers were buying your tea set for its straight silver melt value, at today’s market rate (5/16/12), we would pay $570.00 in cash. Keep in mind that this is for a damaged or unmarketable tea set that will be melted for its silver content only.
For silver tea sets that will be re-sold the pricing would start at a minimum of $570 and go well into the thousands of dollars for antique silver tea sets from Tiffany & Co., Georg Jensen, etc.
To sell silver hollowware and flatware in San Diego, call SDJB toll free at 800-557-9413.
Designer Spotlight: Chanel
Designer Spotlight: Chanel
At San Diego Jewelry Buyers, we buy and sell jewelry, timepieces, and luxury fashion accessories from the world’s finest brands. One luxury brand that our customers always seem to be interested in is Chanel.
A French fashion house, Chanel was founded by Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel. She gained the name “Coco” while maintaining a career as a singer at a café in France. As a designer, Coco Chanel’s vision was to produce luxury items that conveyed casual elegance.
Please watch the video below to learn the full story of the Chanel brand.
What does the pawnbroker’s symbol mean?
The pawnbroker’s symbol is three spheres suspended from a bar. The three sphere symbol has its origin to the Italian province of Lombardy, where pawn shop banking originated under the name of Lombard banking. The three golden spheres were originally the symbol which medieval Lombard merchants hung in front of their houses. Historians think that the golden spheres were originally three flat gold coins but later were converted into spheres to better attract attention.
Finding the Right Place to Sell Your Jewelry: Credentials & Reputation Matter Most
SAN DIEGO, CA, July 22, 2010
San Diego Jewelry Buyers & Loans (SDJBL), the A+ BBB estate jewelry buyer in San Diego County, has issued a public statement regarding the exceptional qualifications, credentials, and experience of its diamond appraisers and antique jewelry buyers. “Our company is well known for its outstanding buying offers and customer service,” says an SDJB spokesperson, “and we felt that it’s time that we explained more thoroughly why our staff has the special reputation that it does among our customers.”
According to SDJB, all of its estate diamond buyers must be Graduate Gemologists from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), which is the foremost gemological accreditation school in the world. Furthermore, some of his antique jewelry buyers and diamond jewelry appraisers have additional certification as bench jewelers or jewelry designers.
In addition to their formal training, all estate buyers and jewelry appraisers at SDJB undergo a thorough on-the-job training program that involves how to assess the real worth of heirloom jewelry, important jewels, high grade Swiss watches, and large rare diamonds.
An important figure in the SDJB training program is partner and co-owner Peter Harvey. Harvey’s 30-year track record as a watch collector, diamond buyer, and elite pawnbroker has earned him hall of fame status in the trade. His many years as one of the country’s most prominent jewelry buyers and estate liquidators is chock full of stories involving million-dollar fancy colored diamonds, collectible watches auctioned for six and seven figures, and rare discoveries of extraordinary jewels. As an active partner in the business, Harvey fills the role of senior buyer, as well as mentor to the entire staff.
San Diego Jewelry Buyers’ rigorous apprentice system is what enables its impressive buying offers for large diamonds and fine jewelry from the Art Deco, Edwardian, and Victorian periods, from classic brands such as Cartier and Tiffany, and from today’s most popular jewelry designers. However, the company’s reputation does not rest only on its large cash payments. Customer service is an important part of SDJB’s success.
“Everything hinges on customer service,” says SDJB. “Just because we deal mostly in large-ticket items, doesn’t mean we have to act like prima donnas. We try to instill in the staff every day the same principles I work by: treat every customer like they are royalty. Treat them like they’ve just arrived for their presidential suite at the Ritz-Carlton. Whether they have a dollar in their pocket, or ten million dollars in their bank account, we roll out the red carpet for every customer who walks in our store. Respect is something we do not put a price tag on.”
In return for this emphasis on attentive customer service and deep professional knowledge, customers have rewarded San Diego Jewelry Buyers’ with dozens of five star reviews and an expanding word of mouth campaign that has made the company not only the leading buyer of estate jewelry, collectible watches, and large diamonds in San Diego County, but one of the top buyers of luxury assets in the country. In addition, as one of the most trusted and respected gold buyers in California, SDJB was featured by KUSI TV in its investigative report on how to sell gold jewelry safely.
To learn more about San Diego Jewelry Buyers’ asset liquidation and collateral loan services, call them toll-free at 800-557-9413, or visit the company’s website at:
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.
