our 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.
Sell Rolex: Real vs. Fake Rolex Watches
Rolex is probably the victim of more brand copying than any other watch manufacturer in the world, with hundreds of thousands of fake “Rolexes” in circulation, and not just on city streets, but in used watch shops and online retail stores. Many used watch buyers are rightfully nervous when buying a second-hand Rolex, for fear of not getting the genuine article.
To increase your confidence in buying a pre-owned Rolex, San Diego Jewelry BuyersTM, San Diego’s leading buyer of Swiss timepieces, has put together the following useful watch tips. These tips are also helpful for those who want to sell watches like Rolexes but are unsure if their watch is authentic.
1) An authentic Rolex Oyster Perpetual has a screwed-back case.
2) Rolex Oysters are made from stainless steel, platinum, or gold.
3) A Rolex manufactured with gold is never gold plated, but is made with either 14k or 18k gold.
4) If there is rubber anywhere on the used Rolex (band or case) it is a fake.
5) Never buy a new or pre-owned Rolex from Craigslist or on the street.
6) The only Rolex watches that have day and date features are the men’s full-size watch.
7) Rolex does not use skeleton dials (ones that display the moving parts of the watch).
8) When you buy a Rolex use a credit card, which makes the watch easier to return should you discover that it is a fake.
9) Rolex does not make watches with a glass (see through) case.
10) A Rolex President is always made from one of the following precious metals: platinum, 18k yellow gold, or 18k white gold. These Rolexes can often command a high price from San Diego watch buyers.
11) Both new and used Rolexes should always come with a warranty.
12) Less than 10% of all Oyster Perpetual Rolexes have a quartz movement, so be extra careful when assessing the authenticity of this kind of watch.
13) Rolex has never manufactured its watches in China.
14) If you would like to sell Rolex watches, be sure to contact a qualified San Diego watch buyer who specializes in used Rolex watches and other fine Swiss timepieces.
For more info on how to sell watches, contact San Diego Jewelry Buyers for a free, no hassle, appraisal.
We are San Diego’s trusted A+ BBB rated Rolex watch buyer and estate jewelry buyer.
How to Sell Used Rolex Watches in San Diego
A Rolex is built to last a lifetime, which is why a used Rolex often commands such a good price from San Diego watch buyers. If you are considering selling your used Rolex, please keep in mind the following tips and facts provided by the staff of SDJB.
1) Rolex sets the prices of authentic new Rolex watches which may not be discounted by authorized dealers. But such price controls can not be enforced when it comes to the market for used Rolex watches; and this benefits both the buyer and seller of a used Rolex watch.
2) San Diego watch buyers like SDJB look for original Rolex parts when buying a Rolex watch. Non-Rolex replacement parts will lower the price for your pre-owned Rolex watch considerably.
3) You will get a much better buying offer for your used Rolex if it is being sold with the original Rolex box and papers. This is due to the serious problem of counterfeit Rolex watches.
4) A Rolex watch with an original band that remains tight and like new will bring a higher buying offer than the same used Rolex watch with an older looking, looser band.
5) Do not refurbish the dial of your pre-owned Rolex before selling it. The original dial is worth more than a refurbished dial, even if the original dial does not look like new.
6) Be sure you know exactly what material your used Rolex watch is made from before researching its worth, be it made from platinum, stainless steel, two-tone gold, or 14k/18k white or yellow gold.
7) Don’t be discouraged if your used Rolex is not working. A pre-owned Rolex that is not working often will receive a buying offer close to one for the same watch in working condition.
8) Those that plan to sell Rolex watches on e-bay are advised to:
a) Take a picture of your used Rolex, showing the serial number, before shipping the timepiece.
b) Use a Paypal account that is linked to a bank account with a $0 (or very small) balance to protect yourself from fraud.
c) If you suspect that the buyer is engaging in return fraud and has tampered with your used Rolex or replaced it with a counterfeit, open the package at the post office in the presence of a post office official.
d) If possible, show potential buyers proof of where you bought your Rolex watch.
e) Sell only to Rolex buyers who are located in the United States.
9) If you are selling your used Rolex to a friend or acquaintance that has concerns about buying a used Rolex watch, please have them read San Diego Jewelry Buyers’ article about Real Rolexes vs. Fake Rolexes.
10) If you need immediate cash for your used Rolex today, seek out a local fine jewelry and watch buyer like SDJB, who specializes in elite timepieces, and who has market contacts locally, nationally, and internationally. The larger the network of buyers your professional Rolex buyer has, the easier it is for them to pay you a higher price for your pre-owned Rolex.
For more info on how to sell Rolex watches for cash today, contact San Diego Jewelry Buyers for a free, no hassle, appraisal.
We are your trusted A+ BBB rated San Diego watch buyer and estate jewelry buyer.
Sell Diamonds: Facts from San Diego Buyers
As San Diego’s #1 diamond buyer, we here at San Diego Jewelry Buyers love all things diamonds. Those who own diamond jewelry or want to sell diamonds to a local buyer might find the following facts about diamonds interesting.
1) In 2007, a flawless 6.04 carat blue diamond fetched a price of $7.98 million, making it the most expensive gemstone per carat in the world.
2) The largest diamond ever found weighs 3,106 carats. It is commonly called the Star of Africa, and adorns the scepter of King Edward VII of England.
3) The diamond engagement ring is worn on the third finger of the left hand, because the ancient Egyptians believed that the vein in that finger led directly to the heart.
4) Diamond derives its name from the Greek word adamas, which means unable to be conquered.
5) Only about 20% of the world’s diamonds are suitable for jewelry.
6) Diamond certification does not appraise the monetary value of a diamond. It describes the quality of the diamond without putting a price tag on it.
7) Diamonds are composed of just one chemical element: carbon. When crushed to dust they turn black.
8) CZs weigh 55% more than diamonds. So, the easiest way to spot the difference between two same size stones is to weigh them.
9) The first recorded diamond engagement ring was given by Archduke Maximillian of Austria to Mary of Burgundy in 1477.
10) The world’s smallest diamond was cut by Pauline Willemse. It is 50 times smaller than the head of a ballpoint pen.
For information on how you can sell diamonds for cash today, contact San Diego Jewelry Buyers for a free, no hassle, appraisal.
We are your trusted A+ BBB rated San Diego diamond buyer and luxury pawn shop.
How to Sell Diamonds to San Diego Buyers
1) Background check the potential San Diego diamond buyer with the Better Business Bureau online, and by browsing customer reviews on independent web sites. If you see a bunch of reviews for a particular business posted on the same day, be wary of the legitimacy of these reviews. Look for reviews that provide concrete details about a customer’s experience, vary in style and content, and are spaced out over a period of time.
2) If you sell diamonds that are 1 carat (or more), these diamonds will bring a significantly higher buying offer than a diamond that is just under 1 carat (.98 carats for example). This is because stones of 1+ carat are more rare. Two 1/2-carat diamonds will thus also be less valuable than a single 1 carat diamond.
3) You are likely to receive a higher offer on your loose diamond if it has a branded cut which is highly sought after, such as Hearts on Fire.
4) Loose diamonds of high quality that have a pinkish or bluish hue will command a higher buying offer than most clear diamonds. If you have such a diamond, be sure to go to a buyer, like San Diego Jewelry Buyers, who specializes in rare diamonds.
5) If you bought your diamond from a fine jeweler, you are likely to receive a cash offer that is 60-80% less than the retail price. This is because the retail price of a diamond covers much more than just the value of a diamond but the overhead costs of running a fine jewelry store.
6) Keep in mind that Clarity and Color are equally important when valuing a diamond. The ratings for both qualities must be high for you to receive a significant offer from a San Diego diamond buyer.
7) If your loose diamond comes with a certificate from a respected lab like GIA, this will make it much easier to value and sell. Please click on the following link to learn how to read a diamond grading report.
8) If you are getting diamonds independently appraised, make sure that the appraiser is not closely affiliated with the jewelry buyer to whom you want to sell diamonds.
9) As a knowledge building exercise, price a GIA certified 1.00 Carat F color, VVS1, Ideal Cut diamond at Blue Nile and two other online retailers. Compare prices and then take the lowest one. A diamond buyer will likely pay you around 40% of that lowest retail price.
10) You are more likely to get a better buying offer from a local diamond buyer than a large, nationally run, diamond buying outfit. Do solicit offers from more than one San Diego diamond buyer before selling your loose diamond.
“Disclaimer: Percentages given for estimated diamond prices are based on December 2008 market conditions. These percentages, like real estate and commodity prices, can fluctuate greatly according to the current condition of the market.”
For information on how to sell diamonds for cash today, contact San Diego Jewelry Buyers for a free, no hassle, appraisal.
We are San Diego’s trusted A+ BBB rated loose diamond buyer and estate jewelry buyer.
Understanding a Diamond Grading Report
Sometimes called a diamond certificate, a diamond grading report is one of the most valuable tools you have when selling your diamond to a qualified San Diego diamond buyer. This grading report is conducted by a gemological laboratory, and is an independent evaluation of the diamond you want to sell. Today, the report is often included with the purchase of a diamond or diamond jewelry
A grading report is not an “endorsement” of your diamond but a detailed description of the diamond’s characteristics. This makes it easier for the diamond buyer to assign a proper value to the diamond or diamond engagement ring that you wish to sell. There are many different diamond and gemstone labs producing diamond grading reports, but all basically contain the same information.
The report that you present to a San Diego diamond buyer, along with your diamond, should contain the following elements:
Name: The name of the gemological lab that produced the report is perhaps the most important detail on the certificate. The most trusted lab for large, high quality, diamonds is GIA. Other labs which diamond buyers will usually trust are IGI, AGS, AGSL, EGL, and HRD.
Number: This is the diamond grading report (certificate) number which uniquely identifies your diamond. The lab keeps a copy of this and all the details of your diamond.
Shape & Cutting Style: Shape refers to your diamond’s outline when viewed face up. This could be round, marquise, heart, or some other shape. The cutting style refers to your diamond’s facets and how they have been arranged. This could be brilliant, princess, emerald, or some other cutting style. The cushion cut diamond is often found in antique diamond jewelry.
Measurements: If you have a round diamond the measurement numbers will reflect: minimum diameter – maximum diameter x depth. If you have a fancy shaped diamond the measurement will be: length x width x depth. Measurements are taken to the 100th of a millimeter.
Weight: The weight of your diamond is measured in carats. On the grading report this weight is measured to the 100th of a carat. The price that you receive when selling a diamond will be significantly more if the diamond is at least 1 carat.
Color: The color of your diamond is graded from D (the best) down to Z. Beyond the Z grading are fancy color grades. San Diego diamond buyers are especially looking for diamonds with a grade of F or better.
Clarity: The clarity of your diamond is graded on a scale from F (the best and extremely rare) down through IF, VVS1, VVS2, VS1, VS2, SI1, SI2, I1, I2, and I3. You are more likely to sell your diamond for a good price if it is VSI or better, especially if the color is a high grade, too.
Cut Grade: Many laboratories are now including “cut grades” in their diamond grading reports. This grade is generally based on overall proportion, symmetry, and polish, which together contribute to the fire and brilliance of your diamond. The cut grade that a diamond buyer will be looking for is Ideal or Excellent.
Finish (Polish & Symmetry): Your diamond’s polish refers to the quality of the polish on the facets, while the symmetry refers to how evenly the facets are arranged. Diamond buyers are looking for a polish and symmetry grade of very good or better.
Fluorescence: This is an optical effect that occurs when your diamond is exposed to ultra-violet light, making the diamond appear slightly blue. While some people in San Diego like this blue effect and purchase diamonds specifically because they have a strong fluorescence, high quality diamonds in general have little to no fluorescence.
Plot: Your fingerprint is unique. And so is a diamond. Your diamond’s uniqueness is graphically represented in the diamond grading report with the plot. The internal and external characteristics are plotted in different colors.
Proportions (Depth & Table): The depth of your diamond is a percent figure, which shows the percent of the depth (table to culet) relative to the width of the stone. The table of your diamond refers to its largest facet, which you see when the diamond is face-up. The table percent signifies the table size as a percentage of the diamond’s average width.
Girdle: This part of your diamond grading report describes the dividing line between the crown (top part of the stone) and the pavilion (bottom part of the stone). A faceted girdle can sometimes improve the value of your diamond.
Culet: Not all diamonds have a culet, which is the facet on the pointy bottom part of a diamond. A large cutlet can detract from a diamond’s brilliance, especially if your diamond is round or brilliant. In general, if there is a culet, you want it to be very small.
For information on how to sell diamonds for cash today, contact San Diego Jewelry Buyers for a free, no hassle, appraisal.
We are San Diego’s trusted A+ BBB rated diamond buyer and estate jewelry buyer.
