Sell Your Jewelry for Cash or Trade It In? Which Is Best For You?

Do you have some pieces of jewelry or watches you do not often wear? Instead of making these pieces collect dust in your jewelry box, you can sell your jewelry for cash or trade it for some store credit for a new item. 

The same goes for your pre-owned watches. You may decide to selling watches for cash or you may trade them in for an upgrade or downgrade. 

Whatever the reason for wanting to dispose of your estate jewelry or timepiece, you want to get the best deal possible. 

The ultimate question now is: Should you sell your jewelry for cash or consider a trade-in? 

Is Selling Your Jewelry for Cash,  Right for Me ?

Jewelry is not only a perfect accessory to your wardrobe. It is also often a great investment. Despite the shifting social trends and economic conditions, diamonds and gold, and platinum continue to be in high demand. 

The huge demand for diamond and gold jewelry ensures its value making it easy to sell when necessary. 

You can sell your jewelry by finding a buyer on your own. You can also sell your jewelry to a local jewelry store that can make an immediate offer and a spot payment. 

Selling your jewelry on your own will make you get more money but it takes more effort through platforms like eBay, Etsy, etc . 

Listing it on auction sites or consignment platforms may take time to receive your proceeds and there is always small print you may watch out for; hidden commissions and fees. 

There are many venues that buy pre-owned jewelry and pre-owned watches.  A jewelry store that has in-depth knowledge and expertise in jewelry watches can give you a fair offer and they can pay fast. 

It can be a challenge to decide where to sell your jewelry for cash. Here are some things to look for in a seller to make the decision easier: 

Is it a reputable, trustworthy jewelry buyer? 

Are they established? How long have they been in business? 

What online rating do they have? Do they have positive google and yelp reviews? 

Do they have staff that can be easily reached to ask questions? 

Do they have a physical location that is known and easily accessible if needed? 

Does the store sell pre-owned or estate jewelry?  That can be handy if you decide to trade in your piece for another jewelry or a watch.

If the above answers are favorable this is a merchant to consider. 

There are salability factors that determine how much you can sell your jewelry for cash: 

Is Trading In your Jewelry a Better Deal? 

Trade-in is the process of “exchanging” your jewelry for any item in the jewelry store. Trading your jewelry in exchange for another estate piece is a perfect alternative to selling your jewelry for cash.

In this option, the jewelry store will offer you a trade-in price. You will then receive store credit instead of cash. You can use the store credit to purchase any item from the store. 

Many jewelry stores offer more in the form of store credit than a cash offer for the same jewelry. They do this because they know the amount they pay for your jewelry will also be spent in their stores. 

Trading is a brilliant opportunity for you to purchase something you love using the value of your estate, pre-owned jewelry and watches.  That is a viable option if the store carries abundant and interesting inventory and you can find a desired piece. 

Alternatively you can visit their showroom in person and sell your estate jewelry and watches on spot,  for cash, check or wire.

How can you get the Best Price for your Jewelry? 

Whether you sell your jewelry for cash or trade your items, make sure your pieces get as high a price as possible. 

1. Clean your jewelry. The better your piece of jewelry looks, the more attractive it will be to your prospective buyer. If your diamonds or gemstones are free from any dirt, the jeweler can accurately assess their quality.       
 

2. Be ready with all your documents. Bring with you any documentation –certificates, and appraisals. They will be useful to the jeweler in establishing the quality of your pieces. 

In the absence of proper documentation of your diamonds, the jeweler may need to have the stones graded by a gem lab.. This will entail an additional cost which can be deducted from the jeweler’s offer. 

Final Thoughts

Choosing between selling your jewelry for cash or a trade-in depends on the purpose of why you are disposing of your old jewelry. 

If you need fast payment to be used for other purposes, then sell your jewelry for cash. Conversely, if you want to buy a new piece of jewelry from the same jewelry store, then trade in your pre-owned jewelry for a newer piece you love and take advantage of the higher, favorable rate of exchange. 

Meet Claudine Faifer: Estate Jewelry & Sterling Silver Specialist

Meet Claudine Faifer an estate jewelry, watch and sterling silver specialist with a professional career spanning over 50 years, including an impressive 30 years career at Gray and Sons Jewelers, the premier destination for selling, buying, repairing and consigning luxury watches and estate jewelry… Read more of Claudine Faifer's Jewelry Journey