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Where & How to Sell a Diamond for Cash

Do you want to sell a diamond in San Diego? Before selling a large diamond or expensive diamond jewelry, you should know the quality of your diamond(s). In this article from San Diego Jewelry Buyers (SDJB), we will first explain how to sell a diamond by covering the basics regarding the quality valuation of diamonds. Then we will explain where to sell a diamond by showing why SDJB has become the diamond buyer of choice for thousands of fine jewelry sellers in California and across the country.

You may have heard that the quality of a diamond is based on the 4 Cs. When you sell a diamond in San Diego, your California diamond buyer will first evaluate these four diamond characteristics. So, what are they? Let’s learn them:

Sell a Diamond: How to Evaluate My Diamond Color

Diamonds can occur in virtually any color, including white, blue, yellow, orange, red, green, pink, purple, brown, steel gray, and black. Fancy colored diamonds are those that exhibit an intense shade of color. Diamonds that are considered highest quality by the jewelry industry are ordinarily colorless or have a very faint bluish hue.

The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) grades diamonds using the following scale, with a D color rating being the highest and a Z color grade the lowest:

D, E, F: Colorless Diamonds
G, H, I, J: Near Colorless Diamonds
K, L, M: Faint Yellow Diamonds
H, O, P, Q, R: Very Light Yellow Diamonds
S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z: Light Yellow Diamonds

Fancy colored diamonds have a color intensity that is greater than the Z color grade. They are graded using a different grading scale, one that is similar to the scale used when grading colored gemstones. Certain rare fancy diamonds can be worth just as much or than a D color diamond. The diamond buyers at San Diego Jewelry Buyers are always looking to buy large diamonds in the D-J color grades and rare fancy colored diamonds, but we also will consider purchasing diamonds with lower color ratings.

Sell a Diamond: How to Evaluate My Diamond Clarity

The clarity of a diamond refers to the appearance of internal diamond characteristics called inclusions and surface defects called blemishes. If you want to sell a diamond in San Diego for the most cash, it should have both a high color rating and a high clarity rating. A high color grade when selling your diamond won’t matter much if the clarity grade is poor. Here is the scale that GIA uses when grading diamond clarity:

1) FL = A Flawless grade diamond that has no inclusions or blemishes visible under 10x magnification.

2) IF Diamond = An Internally Flawless grade diamond that has no inclusions visible under 10x magnification. Only small blemishes can be seen on the diamond surface.

3) VVS Diamond = A Very, Very Slightly Included grade diamond that has tiny inclusions that are difficult for a trained grader to see under 10x magnification. The VVS category is divided into two grades: VVS1 and VVS2, the former being the better.

4) VS Diamond = A Very Slightly Included grade diamond that has minor inclusions that are difficult to somewhat easy for a trained grader to see when viewed under 10x magnification. The VS category is also divided into two grades: VS1 and VS2.

5) SI Diamond = A Slightly Included grade diamond that has noticeable inclusions that are easy to very easy for a trained grader to see when viewed under 10x magnification.

6) I Diamond = An Included grade diamond has obvious inclusions that are clearly visible to a trained grader under 10x magnification. Included grade diamonds also have inclusions that usually are visible without magnification which threaten the durability of the stone.

San Diego Jewelry Buyers specializes in purchasing diamonds with a VS clarity grade or better. Our diamond buyers consistently make best cash offers on high quality loose diamonds and fine jewelry set with high clarity diamonds.

Sell a Diamond: How to Evaluate My Diamond Cut

A diamond cut refers to the way in which your diamond was cut for polishing and is related to the symmetry and proportion of your diamond’s facets (flat sides). A diamond cut does not refer to the shape of your diamond (i.e. round, heart, pear, marquise, etc.) The better your diamond has been cut, the more luminosity it will have-and likewise it will be worth more.

On a GIA grading report the cut ratings are: Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair, and Poor. This rating system was established in 2006. So earlier diamond grading reports will not show this ranking. At San Diego Jewelry Buyers, our diamond buyers purchase both antique cut diamonds and modern cut diamonds from famous luxury brands, such as Tiffany, Cartier, and Harry Winston. Hearts On Fire is a newer, lesser-known diamond brand that produces ideal cut diamonds of the highest cut grade, making it one of the most sought after diamonds on the market today, and a diamond brand that San Diego Jewelry Buyers purchases for a premium cash price.

Sell a Diamond: How to Evaluate My Diamond Carat Size

Carat size is the easiest diamond characteristic for consumers to evaluate. One carat equals 200 milligrams. For diamonds less than 1 carat, the measurement is often stated in points-one point being equal to one one-hundredth of a carat. Everything else being equal, the price per carat increases with carat weight because larger diamonds are more rare and desirable for use in fine jewelry.

What to keep in mind about carat weight when trying to sell a diamond for cash is that there are sharp jumps in price/value at certain carat weights. For example, a 0.99 carat diamond could bring a significantly lower cash offer from a diamond buyer than a comparable 1.01 carat diamond. This is because there is greater demand for diamonds that are one carat or more.

Sell My Diamond: How to Evaluate the Hidden Price Factor

Although the 4 Cs are important when evaluating the worth of a diamond, there is a hidden factor to consider when you want to sell a diamond or sell diamond jewelry for cash. We’ve mentioned it already in our discussion: Demand. When you go to sell a diamond to a San Diego diamond buyer, they will evaluate the demand for your diamond and at what price they can resell it. Therefore, when choosing a diamond buyer, you need to consider how that diamond buyer is evaluating demand and resale prices.

If your San Diego diamond buyer is a fine jewelry store, they likely are basing demand simply on what the demand is within their jewelry store. If you sell diamond jewelry online, the price will be based on the demand by visitors to the website. A big reason why San Diego Jewelry Buyers is rated as the #1 diamond buyer in Southern California is because we have multiple channels through which we evaluate the demand and resale price of your diamonds and jewelry.

SDJB resells diamond jewelry through an exclusive worldwide resell network that we’ve developed over decades, AND we resell fine jewelry in our showroom, AND we resell diamonds online through our e-commerce relationships. This gives our San Diego diamond buyers a much more accurate sense of the true resale value of your diamond jewelry, and allows us to pay you more of the cash you deserve.

Sell My Diamond: SDJB’s Owners Make the Biggest Difference

SDJB’s head diamond buyer Izhak Abu began his career as a professional diamond cutter in 1988 and is a recognized diamond expert with over twenty years of worldwide industry experience. Upon looking at your diamond, Izhak will know exactly its worth on the global market. If your diamond is a poor cut, he often will still buy it so that he can re-cut it to make it more valuable. Thanks to Izhak’s knowledge of the global diamond marketplace and his ability to recut diamonds, he is able to make cash offers on diamonds that are higher and more accurate than other Southern California diamond buyers, who lack his background as a diamond cutter and his international diamond experience.

“How to sell my diamond and jewelry now?” Selling diamond jewelry to SDJB is fast, secure, and easy. Simply call us at 800-557-9413 to arrange a free diamond appraisal, with absolutely no obligations.

How to Sell My Antique Diamond

In today’s knowledge article, SDJB’s diamond buyers will provide information on antique diamond cuts and answer the question “How can I sell my antique diamond?”. The first step in selling an antique diamond for cash is to make sure that your diamond is really an antique diamond. Is a 65 year old diamond an antique? No, if you are looking to sell a 65 year old loose diamond, this diamond would be considered a vintage diamond.

For a diamond to be an antique, it should be at least 100 years old-which is the age listed in government guidelines for determining antique jewelry. Now that we know how old an antique diamond must be, we can move on to classifying the most popular diamond cuts:

Antique Pointed Diamond: Found frequently in jewelry produced before and during the Georgian period (1714-1837), a pointed cut diamond is also known as a writing cut diamond. This simple antique diamond cut has eight facets (flat sides). If your antique diamond looks like two opposing pyramids, you’ve got a pointed cut diamond.

Antique Table Cut Diamond: Like a pointed cut diamond, the table cut diamond was relatively easy to produce. All the diamond cutter had to do was cut a little less than one half of a point from a pointed cut diamond to produce a flat table on the diamond. This flat diamond table is what was then displayed in the antique jewelry. The table cut diamond was very popular before and during the Georgian period

Antique Rose Cut Diamond: Things started to get a little more complicated with the introduction of the antique rose cut diamond in the 18th century. This more fashionable diamond cut came in two varieties: the single rose cut and the double rose cut. Both types of rose cut diamonds have a flat bottom, but a double rose cut diamond has two horizontal layers of triangular facets arranged symmetrically.

Antique Old Mine Cut Diamond: The complexity of diamond cutting increased with the introduction of antique brilliant cut diamonds like the old mine cut. Popular in 18th century Georgian jewelry and early to mid 19th century Victorian jewelry, an old mine cut diamond has all the facets of the present round brilliant cut diamond. But it does not have the same fire and precision because diamond cutting during this period was done by hand with less advanced tools. An old mine cut diamond usually has a square or cushion shape, rather than a round one, and a high table (flat surface at the top of the diamond). It is also sometimes referred to as a Peruzzi cut diamond, an antique cushion-cut diamond, or a triple-cut diamond.

Antique Old European Cut Diamond: Diamond cutting took another leap forward with the introduction of the Old European Cut diamond in the late 19th century-which was when the Victorian period was about to end and the Art Nouveau and Edwardian eras were getting ready to begin. A true forerunner to the modern brilliant cut diamond, the Old European Cut diamond has 58 facets and a round shape.

While simple antique diamond cuts like pointed cut diamonds and table cut diamonds can often be identified by non-professionals, it probably will be difficult for the average person to identify what type of diamond cut they have or what historical period their diamond is from. Since several antique diamond cuts were produced regularly over hundreds of years, it can be hard even for a professional jeweler to identify the exact age of many antique diamonds.

Before selling an antique diamond, it is a good idea to show your diamond to an estate buyer with proven expertise in antique diamonds and fine jewelry. Evaluating the worth of an antique diamond is much more difficult than appraising the value of a modern brilliant cut diamond or a branded diamond like Hearts on Fire. Your diamond buyer must be able to:

1) Assess how rare your antique diamond is.
2) Assess how well the diamond has been cut in comparison to other antique diamonds which were cut during the same historical period.
3) Assess how unique the antique diamond is in relationship to other diamonds produced during the same period.
4) Assess how much demand there is for your antique diamond (and antique jewelry if applicable) in the worldwide estate jewelry marketplace.

Where to Sell My Antique Diamond

Deciding where to sell an antique diamond therefore isn’t something to be done without investigating the potential buyer’s credentials and reputation. Customers across the United States often choose San Diego Jewelry Buyers (SDJB) as the best place to sell diamonds because we are an established diamond buyer with an A+ rating at the Better Business Bureau. And we have a reputation for purchasing extraordinary diamonds valued into the hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Head diamond buyer Izhak Abu brings with him an intense knowledge of diamond cutting, having begun his career as a professional diamond cutter. As an international diamond expert and diamond cutter, Izhak can appraise the quality and rarity of antique diamond cuts to a degree that other estate diamond buyers (who lack his training and experience) cannot.

Because of Izhak’s expertise as an international diamond trader and diamond cutter, it becomes evident why so many people sell antique diamonds to SDJB versus selling an antique diamond at an auction house like Christie’s or Sotheby’s.

Selling an antique diamond via an auction house involves uncertainty and months of waiting. However, selling an antique diamond to San Diego Jewelry Buyers means an immediate fair cash offer based on an honest and accurate appraisal of your antique diamond’s value on the estate diamond and jewelry market worldwide.

Want more answers to questions about “How to sell my antique diamond?” Call San Diego Jewelry Buyers toll free at (800) 557-9413 to schedule a free consultation and diamond appraisal.

Want to sell an antique diamond ring? Click the following link for answers to “How to sell my antique diamond ring?

Where to Sell Sapphires – Sell Sapphire Jewelry

Note: While this article focuses on where to sell sapphire jewelry in San Diego, the advice applies to selling sapphire jewelry anywhere in the United States.

If you are looking to sell sapphire rings, sapphire necklaces, or even loose sapphires in San Diego, you have several choices: 1) You can try to sell sapphire jewelry online at a website like eBay; 2) You can try to sell sapphire jewelry to a San Diego jewelry store or pawn shop; or 3) You can sell sapphire rings and other sapphire jewelry to a dedicated San Diego jewelry buyer or consignment store.

When selling sapphires in San Diego the two primary concerns that sellers have are: Where can I sell my sapphire jewelry for the most cash? and Where can I sell sapphire jewelry in the quickest amount of time? You want to keep both of these questions in mind when choosing where to sell your sapphire rings, sapphire earrings, and other valuable sapphire jewelry.

Selling Sapphire Jewelry on eBay

Some sellers in San Diego do get good cash offers for their sapphire jewelry on eBay. But other sellers end up never being able to sell their sapphire pendants, rings, or necklaces-or they receive very low offers. The reason so many people fail to sell sapphire jewelry for a good price on eBay is because potential buyers are worried about buying imitation sapphire jewelry or jewelry set with very low quality stones.

There is a lot of imitation and poor quality sapphire jewelry in circulation, and much of that jewelry can land on eBay, despite the steps that eBay takes to protect buyers. The San Diegans who successfully sell sapphire jewelry on eBay are those sellers with an established eBay account and a long track record of positive buyer reviews.

The most successful sellers of used sapphire jewelry on eBay are those who are professional jewelers with bricks and mortar stores-as potential buyers trust these sellers the most. These business sellers also have the ability to take excellent photos of the sapphire jewelry they have for sale, and have eBay stores that are frequented by thousands of buyers looking for great deals on sapphire jewelry.

Lastly, there is the time issue. If you want extra cash right away, then selling sapphire jewelry on eBay is not your best option, as it could take weeks, or even months, to get a good cash offer and there is no guarantee that an acceptable cash offer will even materialize.

Selling Sapphire Jewelry to a San Diego Jewelry Store or Pawn Shop

When people are thinking about where to sell sapphire rings and other fine jewelry, the first place that often comes to mind is their local fine jeweler. In the past, most San Diego jewelry stores did not buy pre-owned jewelry back from the public unless they were an estate jeweler. However, with the huge surge in gold prices in recent years, many more California jewelry stores are buying previously-owned gold jewelry set with sapphires back from the public.

Unlike when selling used sapphire jewelry on eBay, you will get paid immediately when you sell sapphire necklaces, earrings, and other fine jewelry to a San Diego jewelry store. However, in many cases the amount of money you receive will not be as much cash as you deserve. The reason for this is that the average California jewelry store is in the business of selling NEW sapphire jewelry to customers. Their primary business is not buying USED sapphire jewelry back from the public. That means that the average San Diego jewelry store is not an expert on appraising the market value of pre-owned sapphire jewelry, nor do they have an expansive network of resale channels in which to sell your sapphire jewelry.

The situation is similar when selling sapphire jewelry to a San Diego pawn shop. While you will get paid immediately in cash, the typical California pawn shop is in the business of providing collateral loans on everything from guns to electronics to gold jewelry. Like the average California jewelry store, the ordinary San Diego pawn shop lacks expertise in estate jewelry appraising and resells sapphire jewelry only through its own showcases, not through an international resale network.

If you do sell sapphire jewelry to a San Diego jewelry store or pawn shop, make sure that they have many years of experience dealing with estate jewelry and ask them specifically how they are appraising the market value of your sapphire jewelry and arriving at their cash offer.

Selling Sapphire Jewelry to a Dedicated Jewelry Buyer or San Diego Consignment Store

When you sell your sapphire jewelry to a dedicated San Diego jewelry buyer, you get paid immediately in cash. So waiting for your payment is not an issue, as it is when selling sapphire jewelry on eBay. A California jewelry buyer’s primary business is the buying and selling of pre-owned sapphire jewelry and all types of estate jewelry set with diamond and precious gemstones. They are experts in appraising the value of estate jewelry (i.e. pre-owned jewelry) and they have developed an extensive network of buyers in which to resell your sapphire jewelry.

Because of their experience and expertise, you will likely get a better cash offer from a dedicated San Diego jewelry buyer than you will at an ordinary fine jewelry store or pawn shop. In addition, dedicated California jewelry buyers often are valuable resources of information if you are selling antique sapphire jewelry or vintage sapphire jewelry-sharing with you all they know about your sapphire ring, earrings, or other item.

If you don’t need a cash payment immediately, then selling your sapphire jewelry through a San Diego consignment shop is likely the best way to get the most cash for your jewelry. But you shouldn’t choose just any California consignment store to sell your sapphire jewelry. You want to deal with a San Diego consignment shop that specializes in the sale of used luxury items like fine jewelry.

Californians looking to sell sapphire jewelry often choose San Diego Jewelry Buyers because we are a well-known dedicated jewelry buyer who also offers luxury consignment services via our sister company Authentic Luxury Goods. So, whether you need cash right away, or are willing to wait a while, SDJB can get you the most cash for sapphire jewelry in San Diego.

Appraisals & San Diego Jewelry Appraisers

There is a lot of confusion surrounding jewelry appraising these days, especially among customers who are seeking to sell or get a cash loan on their pre-owned fine jewelry. At San Diego Jewelry Buyers we often get questions regarding jewelry appraisals. Sometimes these questions involve the price listed on an existing appraisal certificate; other times it is whether or not a customer should get their jewelry appraised–and if so, how to locate a reliable jewelry appraiser.

The following Q & A should eliminate much of that confusion and help you feel more confident when selling jewelry in San Diego.

1) When should I get my jewelry appraised? Jewelry appraising is a good idea if you want to cover your jewelry’s full value under an insurance policy. It is also wise if you have some vintage or antique jewelry which you are unsure of the value. But if you are looking to sell mass market fine jewelry that costs under $1500 retail, then appraisals are often a waste of money. Why? Because you usually can expect only 10%-30% of that jewelry’s retail value when you sell it. Therefore, the $50 (or more) that you spent on the appraisal is taking a big cut from the $100-$300 you are likely to receive in the end.

2) Why am I being offered so much less than the price on my appraisal certificate? Because the amount on the appraisal certificate is the potential retail value of your jewelry item. This price can be up to 1000% more than the manufacturer’s cost. An informal ‘resale’ appraisal conducted by a local jeweler is also often inflated because: a) the jeweler does not wish to reveal their markup percentages; and b) the jeweler works primarily with new jewelry and has little experience in the second-hand fine jewelry market.

3) What kind of vintage/antique jewelry should I get appraised? It is a good idea to get an appraisal on any antique jewelry that is signed and you are unsure of the value. Certain rare costume jewelry can sometimes be worth more than vintage gold jewelry. If you know the name of the jewelry manufacturer or designer, you can often save yourself some time and money by first looking them up online, and checking what their items are being sold for on auction sites like e-bay. If you live in an area with an auction house, check whether that house offers free appraisals. Many do.

4) How do I pick the right jewelry appraiser? Your appraiser should be a graduate gemologist from a recognized institution like GIA or someone with formal appraisal training who has been certified by an organization such as the American Society of Appraisers. In general, a good appraiser will have solid experience in all aspects of the jewelry business. Check their references.

5) How much should I pay a jewelry appraiser? The fee you pay should be on an hourly rate or a per piece rate. These rates vary but you can expect to pay at least $50 for valuation. Do not take your jewelry to an appraiser whose fee is a percentage of the value at which they appraise your item.

A Brief History of Pawn Shops & Pawnbrokers

To begin, what exactly is a pawn shop? The word “pawn” comes from the Latin word “pignus,” which means to pledge. When someone has an item of worth on which they would like to receive a monetary loan, they take that item to a broker who receives it as a pledge (aka collateral or pawn) in exchange for money. A pawn shop serves as that kind of broker.

Pawn shops have existed since ancient times, and are arguably humankind’s oldest financial institution. In China, the history of pawn-broking can be traced back some 3000 years, where it was regulated by Imperial authorities. In India the practice originated with the Marwari Jain community and today is conducted by agents called “saudagar”.

In the West, our current laws on the practice are derived from rules that were established during the Roman Empire. Although prohibited by the early Roman Catholic Church, Franciscan monks worked as pawnbrokers to aid the poor. The Orden de Menores Observantes de San Francisco, established in Italy in 1450, requested that borrowers make donations to the Church instead of paying interest.

In England pawn shops were introduced following the conquest of William the Conquerer, after which the “House of Lombard” was established as a large medieval banking family and pawnbroker in England. The Lombards helped Edward III finance his kingdom’s war with France by accepting the King’s jewels and jewelry as collateral on substantial loans. The Lombard name itself is derived from the Italian province of Lombardy where pawn-broking services were called “Lombard” banking.

The ancient pawnbroker’s symbol of 3 suspended spheres can be traced to the practice of Lombard (aka pawn-broking) by Italy’s Medici family. Another famous pawn-broking story involves Queen Isabella of Spain who pawned royal jewelry in order to finance Christopher Columbus’s trip to Western India, which turned out to be the discovery of the “New World.”

Today pawn shops can be found worldwide. And the interest rates vary widely. In Asia, some practices exist which are unique to the East. For example, in India pawnbrokers are allowed to go to people’s homes and solicit offers. While in China the counter of the shop is built high off the ground so that the customer has to reach up and offer their belongings (so as to protect the security of the pawnbroker). In Hong Kong the symbol of a pawn shop is a winged bat (signifying fortune) holding a coin (signifying benefits).

For information on SDJB’s elite pawn shop service, contact San Diego Jewelry Buyers for a free, no hassle, appraisal.

We are San Diego’s trusted A+ BBB rated luxury pawn shop and estate jewelry buyer.

Where to Sell Emeralds – Sell Emerald Jewelry

This SDJB knowledge article focuses on where to sell emerald jewelry in San Diego. However, the advice applies to selling emerald jewelry anywhere in the United States.

If you are looking to sell emerald rings, emerald necklaces, or even loose emeralds in San Diego, you have several choices: 1) You can try to sell emerald jewelry online at a website like eBay; 2) You can try to sell emerald jewelry to a California jewelry store or pawn shop; or 3) You can sell emerald rings and other emerald jewelry to a dedicated San Diego jewelry buyer or consignment shop.

When selling emeralds in San Diego the two main concerns that sellers have are: Where can I sell emerald jewelry in the quickest amount of time? and Where can I sell my emerald jewelry for the most money? You want to keep both of these questions in mind when choosing where to sell your emerald rings, emerald earrings, and other valuable emerald jewelry.

Selling Emerald Jewelry on eBay

Some Californians do get good cash offers for their emerald jewelry on eBay. But other sellers fail at selling their emerald rings, necklaces, and pendants-or they receive very low offers. The reason so many people are unable to sell emerald jewelry for a fair price on eBay is because potential buyers are worried about buying fake emerald jewelry or jewelry set with low quality emeralds.

There is a lot of poor quality and fake emerald jewelry in circulation, and much of that jewelry can appear on eBay, despite the measures that eBay takes to protect buyers. Californians who successfully sell emerald jewelry on eBay are those sellers who have been selling luxury items on eBay for a long time and have dozens of positive buyer reviews.

The sellers of previously-owned emerald jewelry who get the most cash on eBay are professional jewelers with a real world address-as potential buyers trust them the most. These business sellers also have the ability to take high-quality photos of the emerald jewelry they are selling, and have eBay stores that are visited by thousands of online buyers looking for deals on emerald jewelry.

Lastly, there is the issue of time. Selling emerald jewelry on eBay is not your best option for people who need cash quickly, as it could take any number of weeks to receive a fair cash offer and there is no guarantee that a good cash offer will even be made.

Selling Emerald Jewelry to a California Jewelry Store or Pawn Shop

When people wonder where to sell emerald rings and other fine jewelry, they often consider approaching a jewelry store. In the past, most California jewelry stores did not buy used jewelry unless they were an estate jeweler. But with gold prices surging in recent years, many more San Diego jewelry stores are buying back pre-owned gold jewelry set with emeralds and diamonds.

Unlike on eBay (where it could take months to get paid), you will get paid immediately when selling emerald earrings, necklaces, and other fine jewelry to a California jewelry store. However, the amount of cash that you receive may not be as much as you deserve. This is because the primary business of the average San Diego jewelry store is selling new fine jewelry to buyers, not purchasing pre-owned emerald jewelry from the public. The typical California jewelry store has little expertise in appraising the market value of used emerald jewelry and has nowhere to resell your jewelry except from its own showcases.

The same shortcomings generally apply when selling emerald jewelry to a California pawn shop. While you will receive an immediate cash payment, the average San Diego pawn shop is set up to provide collateral loans on everything from electronics and guns to musical instruments and gold jewelry. Like the average San Diego jewelry store, the ordinary California pawn shop is not an expert in the purchase of pre-owned emerald jewelry and resells the fine jewelry it buys only from its showcases instead of a global resale network of estate jewelry buyers.

If you do sell emerald jewelry to a California jewelry store or San Diego pawn shop, check whether they have substantial experience in estate jewelry and ask them to explain how they are appraising the market value of your emerald jewelry and arriving at their cash offer.

Selling Emerald Jewelry to a Dedicated Jewelry Buyer or California Consignment Shop

When you sell emerald jewelry to a dedicated California jewelry buyer, you get paid immediately in cash. Waiting for your payment therefore is not a problem, as it is when selling emerald jewelry on eBay. A San Diego jewelry buyer’s primary business is the buying and selling of pre-owned emerald jewelry and all types of valuable estate jewelry. They are experts in appraising the value of pre-owned jewelry (i.e. estate jewelry) and they have an established network of buyers in which to resell your emerald jewelry.

Because of their expertise and experience, you likely will receive a better cash offer from a dedicated California jewelry buyer than you will at a typical pawn shop or fine jewelry store. San Diego jewelry buyers are also valuable resources of information if you are selling antique emerald jewelry or vintage emerald jewelry-sharing with you important information about your emerald ring, necklace, or other item.

If you don’t need cash right away, then selling emerald jewelry through a California consignment store is likely the best way to get the most cash for your emerald jewelry. But don’t just choose any consignment shop. You should sell your items with a San Diego consignment store that specializes in the sale of pre-owned luxury items like emerald jewelry.

People who want to sell emerald jewelry often choose San Diego Jewelry Buyers because we are a dedicated jewelry buyer with an A+ BBB rating who also offers luxury consignment services through our sister company Authentic Luxury Goods. Whether you need cash now or can wait a few weeks, SDJB will help you get more cash for emerald jewelry.

San Diego Guide: Sell & Pawn Jewelry

**The United States has over 12,000 businesses that buy and sell estate jewelry, watches, and diamonds. Not all are the same. When deciding on whom to entrust with your fine jewelry transaction, be selective, do research, and choose only those businesses that specialize and understand the current jewelry market.

**The best prices for fine diamond jewelry, fine gemstone jewelry, and designer gold jewelry are based on more than simple gold or gemstone weight. If you are going to sell jewelry in San Diego ask questions of the business you are considering doing business with. Make sure they demonstrate a clear understanding of jewelry materials, jewelry brands, and jewelry craftsmanship.

**Many who pawn jewelry find this an excellent way to maintain anonymity and protect their credit rating. San Diego Pawn Shops don’t do credit checks. If the customer can’t pay back the loan it doesn’t hurt their record. The loan operator simply keeps the collateral.

**If you sell jewelry, remember that there are several people who are involved in the transaction, all of whom need to make a profit margin to survive and continue offering their services. These include the San Diego gold refiners if the jewelry is being melted down; the re-sellers if your jewelry is being sold again; and of course the primary business who you are dealing with.

**It is not only gold jewelry which can be pawned or sold to provide customers with extra cash for their needs. Platinum and palladium jewelry can also be used. The prices for all precious metals are at very high levels, making now one of the best times to get a good return on the jewelry that is no longer worn.

**Not all jewelry can be resold or used as collateral. Very few San Diego businesses will accept costume jewelry, unless it a very rare item. And silver jewelry is worth only a fraction of what gold jewelry is worth, although some kinds of designer and/or antique silver jewelry can be valuable.

**Remember that 24K jewelry is pure gold, 18K is 75%, 14K is 58%, and 10K is 41.7%. For simple gold jewelry, you should be getting well above 50% of gold’s current trading price, otherwise known as the “spot price”. For name brand fine jewelry and designer pieces (such as Tiffany, Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels) you can expect to get significantly more, depending on the condition of the piece, as well as the maker, and overall desirability.

**When you sell jewelry in San Diego, this is a “green” act, a method of recycling that diminishes the need for increased mining of gold and gemstones. In addition, when platinum is melted down it often finds its way into new car engines, where it serves as a catalyst in devices that remove automotive pollutants.

**Beware of sending your fine gemstone jewelry through the mail to gold buyers and so-called “gold refineries”. There is always an unnecessary risk involved by allowing your fine jewelry to leave your sight.

**When dealing with an unknown business it is always a good idea to search for complaints filed against a company with the Better Business Bureau at http://www.bbb.org/ and other online consumer sites.

**It is estimated that 25% of customers walk away from a loan based on product collateral. Be aware of this and do not risk using an important family heirloom for a loan. If your jewelry is melted down it is lost forever.

**To ensure the best price for gold jewelry, deal only with those buyers who set their scales in grams. Some San Diego gold buyers set their scales in penny weight (1.55 grams), which likely means less money for you.

**Avoid those businesses which charge an unreasonably high interest rate on their loans. In states like Texas the legal rate for short term loans can go as high as 240%! Do not allow a troubling financial situation force you into such a loan arrangement. There are always businesses to be found that will charge you a reasonable interest rate. And if you need help, seek guidance from a free consumer credit management service, such as: http://www.debt-mgt.org/ or http://www.familycredit.org/.

For information on SDJB’s elite pawn shop service, contact San Diego Jewelry Buyers for a free, no hassle, appraisal.

We are San Diego’s trusted A+ BBB rated luxury pawnbroker and estate jewelry buyer.

Sell Estate Jewelry: Facts from Jewelry Buyers

As San Diego’s #1 estate jewelry buyer, we here at San Diego Jewelry Buyers love all things about fine jewelry. Jewelry lovers or those who want to sell jewelry to a local buyer might find the following facts about jewelry interesting.

1) In 2007, Christie’s auction house had jewelry sales totaling almost $400 million, an increase of 11% over 2006 totals and 27% over 2005.

2) The word jewelry is derived from the word jewel, which is the anglicized version of the Old French “jouel”.

3) During early times jewelry was created for practical uses such as wealth, storage, and pinning clothes together.

4) The longest continuous legacy of jewelry making in the world belongs to India, and stretches back 5000 years.

5) In ancient Rome, only certain ranks of people could wear rings.

6) Wedding rings for men first became a popular American tradition during the early 20th century.

7) Islam considers the wearing of gold by men to be a social taboo.

8) A popular symbol used in Jewish jewelry is the Hamsa (or “Hamesh hand”), which often features three fingers raised.

9) The modern jewelry movement began after World War II, and was fueled by the works of designers like Fulco Di Verdura and David Webb.

10) According to recent studies, the largest jewelry market is the United States with a market share of 30.8%, followed by Japan, India and China and the Middle East each with 8 – 9%, and Italy with 5%.

For information on how you can sell jewelry for cash today, contact San Diego Jewelry Buyers for a free, no hassle, appraisal.

We are San Diego’s trusted A+ BBB rated fine jewelry buyer and luxury pawn shop.

Where to Sell Rubies – Sell Ruby Rings & Jewelry

Although this consumer article focuses on where to sell ruby jewelry in San Diego, the tips apply to selling ruby jewelry anywhere in the country.

If you want to sell ruby rings, ruby necklaces, or even loose rubies, you have several choices in San Diego: 1) You can sell ruby jewelry to a San Diego pawn shop or jewelry store; 2) You can sell ruby jewelry at an online auction website like eBay; or 3) You can sell ruby rings and other ruby jewelry to a dedicated California jewelry buyer or consignment store.

The two big questions on the mind of most people selling rubies in San Diego are: Where can I sell my ruby jewelry for the most money? And Where can I sell ruby jewelry quickly and easily? Remember both of these questions when choosing the best place to sell ruby necklaces, earrings, and ruby gemstones.

Selling Ruby Jewelry to a California Jewelry Store or Pawn Shop

A jewelry store or pawn shop is often the first place people think might be good places to sell a ruby ring and other fine jewelry. Most San Diego jewelry stores did not buy used jewelry in the past unless they were an estate jeweler. However, with today’s high gold prices, many San Diego jewelry stores are now buying gold jewelry set with rubies from the public.

You receive cash immediately when selling ruby earrings, pendants, and other fine jewelry to a San Diego jewelry store. But this cash payment may not be as much as you deserve. The typical San Diego jewelry store is in the business of selling NEW fine jewelry to buyers. Buying used ruby jewelry from the public is a secondary business practice. Most San Diego jewelry stores aren’t knowledgeable in the appraisal of previously-owned ruby jewelry and will appraise the item based on how much they think they can resell the item in their store.

The same goes for selling ruby jewelry to a San Diego pawn shop. The average San Diego pawn shop is in the business of providing collateral loans on used merchandise like musical instruments and electronic devices. Most San Diego pawn shops estimate the value of you pre-owned ruby jewelry by how much they think they can resell it within their pawn shop instead of appraising your item’s value on the global estate jewelry market.

Before you sell ruby jewelry to a California jewelry store or pawn shop, find out how much knowledge they have in estate jewelry and ask them to explain how they are estimating the value of your ruby jewelry and coming up with a cash offer. Make sure they answer your questions to your full satisfaction.

Selling Ruby Jewelry on eBay

Some people sell ruby jewelry on eBay and other online auction sites successfully and are happy with how much cash they have received. Others are not so lucky when selling ruby rings, necklaces, and brooches. Many sellers are unable to sell ruby jewelry for a fair price online because potential buyers are concerned that they will be buying fake ruby jewelry or jewelry set with low quality rubies.

The world market is full of poor quality and fake rubies that can find their way to eBay and other online auction sites. Sellers who are successful when selling ruby jewelry online tend to be those people who have sold dozens of other items at that particular website previously.
Professional jewelers usual get the best prices when selling used ruby jewelry online because buyers find them trustworthy. Professional estate jewelry sellers usually take excellent photographs of the ruby jewelry they are selling, and have online storefronts that are visited by thousands of online buyers looking to buy pre-owned fine jewelry.

The amount of time it takes to sell ruby jewelry online is another important consideration. Selling ruby jewelry on an auction website like eBay is not an option for people who need cash now because it could take over a month to receive a fair cash offer, and you might not end up with a good cash offer at all.

Selling Your Ruby Jewelry to an Estate Jewelry Buyer or San Diego Consignment Shop

When you sell ruby jewelry to a dedicated estate jewelry buyer, you receive cash today. In addition to that, an estate jeweler is in the business of buying and selling ruby jewelry from the public. They are experts in appraising the resale value of all types of precious gemstone jewelry and base their appraisal on an extensive network of individual collectors and retailers.

Because of their estate jewelry expertise, you likely will receive a better cash offer from a dedicated jewelry buyer in San Diego than you will at your neighborhood pawn shop or fine jewelers. San Diego estate jewelers also provide sellers with valuable information if you are selling antique ruby jewelry or vintage ruby jewelry-sharing with you their knowledge about ruby rings and ruby gemstones.

Selling ruby jewelry via a San Diego consignment store is likely the best way to get the most cash for your ruby jewelry if you are willing to wait. The best San Diego consignment shops for selling ruby jewelry ate those that specialize in the sale of pre-owned luxury items like diamond jewelry and designer handbags.

That is why so many people sell ruby jewelry to San Diego Jewelry Buyers. We are an A+ BBB dedicated jewelry buyer that also provides luxury consignment services through our sister company Authentic Luxury Goods. Whether you want to sell a ruby ring direct to us or sell ruby jewelry on consignment, San Diego Jewelry Buyers will help you get more cash for ruby jewelry.

How to Sell an Engagement Ring

The diamond buyers at San Diego Jewelry Buyers, San Diego County’s most prominent buyer of pre-owned diamonds, have put together the following list of tips and facts for women and men who want to sell engagement rings. Before you sell a diamond engagement ring, please take some time to consider whether the relationship is over. Feelings can change. Don’t make a rash decision to “sell my engagement ring” only to regret it later.

1) Unless your engagement ring is from a highly sought after brand such as Tiffany or Harry Winston, it is the diamond that holds most of the worth. The band itself will likely be melted down at scrap metal prices by the diamond buyer.

2) The retail price that was paid for your diamond engagement ring (even if it was advertised at “wholesale” prices) was likely at least triple the manufacturing cost.

3) It is often difficult to sell diamond engagement rings to those couples who are considering marriage, as the couple often considers the ring to hold bad karma.

4) If the ring was appraised in the past for insurance purposes, keep in mind that this was the estimated retail value, and will not be close to what you can expect from a San Diego diamond buyer. If you decide to get your engagement ring appraised before you resell it, be sure to tell the appraiser that you would like a re-sell (or wholesale) price estimate.

5) Be sure to include any diamond certification papers when selling your engagement ring. The most respected is the GIA (Gemological Institute of America) Diamond Grading Report, which makes it much easier for the buyer to evaluate your ring’s proper value.

6) You often can get a better price for your engagement ring if you can pair it with other bridal jewelry, such as a matching wedding band and bridal earrings.

7) Women who are now in the process of getting a divorce, wait until the divorce is complete before they sell engagement rings and other bridal related jewelry. Feelings among married couples often change at the last minute. And you don’t want to be in the position of losing your engagement ring and wedding band forever should you and your husband reconcile. If you are in need of money, consider using less sentimental jewelry as collateral for a cash loan instead.

8) If you are getting a divorce, but have a daughter (and are not in a difficult financial position), you may want to consider holding on to your diamond engagement ring and passing it down to your daughter–not as an engagement ring, but as a symbol of the love that you and your husband shared, which produced the most valuable treasure in your life: her.

9) Go online and learn about the 4Cs (Cut, Carat, Clarity, and Color), which determines the value of the diamond in your engagement ring. The rule of thumb is that your diamond will attract a higher price if it has a popular cut (such as brilliant); a clarity of VSI (very small inclusions) or finer; a color of G or better; and it is 1 carat or more.

For more info on how to sell diamond engagement rings, contact San Diego Jewelry Buyers for a free, no hassle, appraisal.

For more information on selling diamond jewelry for the most cash, go to our article: How to Sell Diamond Jewelry.

We are San Diego’s trusted A+ BBB rated diamond buyer and gold jewelry buyer.