Precious metals sales are strong despite troubled markets in other areas. If you have estate jewellery that you don’t use, this is an ideal time to capitalize on favourable market conditions. At Colonial Acres, we can evaluate and appraise your items to help ensure you get the maximum return on your old or broken chains, rings and other precious metal pieces.
Market Atmosphere
You have probably seen the billboards along the road and commercials for companies offering to buy your unwanted gold and silver pieces. For many years, there was a stigma associated with selling jewellery. Many people linked it with falling on hard times and selling the family jewels to pay rent. That is an outdated perspective filled with inaccurate assumptions.
Jewellery was once considered an heirloom. It was expensive, often custom-made, and families passed it down through generations. Today, trendy items are mass-produced. When a piece goes out of style, the clasp breaks or personal tastes change, it gets relegated to an already overstuffed jewellery box or the back of a drawer. Selling old jewellery is an excellent way to get rid of the clutter and make space for new pieces that fit your current style and taste.
Divorces and broken engagements happen. Diamond rings, anniversary tennis bracelets and other jewellery that commemorated a special occasion can be painful reminders of the split. Selling these pieces allows you to buy something that fits your life now, encouraging new memories.
Selling Opportunities
In the past, if you wanted to sell unwanted pieces from your collection, you had to go to a pawn shop. This is one of the most common reasons people didn’t sell their chains, pendants and bracelets. These places were often in undesirable areas of town, and you didn’t know if they were treating you fairly. Although this is the top reason many people give for not selling unwanted pieces from their collection, others include:
- They don’t know the right way to sell it.
- They can’t get the price they want.
- They are concerned about being scammed.
- They don’t have the time.
Times have changed. Today, it’s easier to find reputable jewellers that sell upscale new pieces and accept estate jewellery.
Selling Tips
If you would like some extra cash or are tired of dealing with old jewellery you don’t wear, selling unwanted pieces of your collection makes sense. The process is a lot faster and more straightforward than you might expect.
The first step is making sure you know the quality of your piece and understand its value. This is critical for determining the best way to sell it. If it’s an heirloom, taking to the right buyer is essential. A buyer who buys scrap gold and silver to melt down for new creations will pay significantly less than a reputable purveyor of estate jewellery. If the item is broken or low quality, you may not get the price you want from a curator of fine collections.
General guidelines are:
- Intact vintage and current, trendy pieces are the easiest to sell.
- Selling it as scrap is the fastest way to sell.
- Good-quality diamonds, sapphires, emeralds and rubies have the best value.
Go to a reputable establishment such as Colonial Acres to discuss your gold and silver pieces. Look online for reviews, ask around for references and talk with a jeweller specializing in estate, antique, designer and vintage jewellery. Smaller organizations, whether online or local, typically provide personalized service. Avoid complications and miscommunication by asking these questions:
- How long does it take to make an offer?
- How do I get my pieces back if we cannot agree on the price?
- What percentage of melt value do you pay?
By understanding the value of your piece, you can negotiate for the best price with realistic expectations. Contact us today to learn about our process and how we work to get the best price possible for your gold and silver estate jewellery.