Online jewelry sales are easier than ever. This doesn’t only go for buyers; many sellers prefer conducting jewelry business online. If you have a piece of jewelry that you no longer need, selling it online can be a great and quick way to put extra money in your pocket.
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This guide explains how to sell jewelry online and what you need to pay attention to.
How to Sell Diamond Jewelry Online
If you have a valuable piece of jewelry, selling it isn’t as simple as posting it on a website and waiting for a customer. You’ll need to prove its value, origin, and characteristics if you want to get a good price. Whether you want to sell diamond jewelry online or jewelry that doesn’t have diamonds, you should know what you’re selling and how much it’s worth. This means learning as much information about it as possible.
Finding Out the Value of Jewelry
Just because a piece of jewelry looks impressive doesn’t mean it has any true value. Fortunately, there are numerous ways to find out the value of the jewelry you wish to sell.
1. Check for Hallmarks
The first action you can take is to check for hallmarks. Hallmarks are also called purity marks or quality marks, and indicate the amount of metal used for a piece of jewelry. The number expresses the amount of metal in parts per thousand. Regardless of the type of metal, the higher the number, the better the quality.
2. At Home Tests
Although tests can’t help you establish the exact value of your jewelry, they can indicate whether the jewelry contains real diamonds and precious metals like gold, silver, or platinum.
One of the tests used to identify precious metals is the magnet test. Namely, gold, silver, and platinum don’t have magnetic properties. If a piece of jewelry is gold- or silver-plated, there’s another metal underneath. To check whether your jewelry is entirely made of gold, silver, or platinum, place a strong magnet next to it. If the magnet doesn’t stick, your jewelry is likely made of one of these precious metals.
Those who want to examine whether their jewelry features real diamonds can use the breath test. Real diamonds are excellent heat conductors, and you can test this. Breathe on your room-temperature diamond, and if the misting disappears right away, it’s most likely a real diamond.
Keep in mind that these tests aren’t 100% reliable.
3. Do Online Research
The internet can help you figure out how much your jewelry is worth. Simply enter the information you know about your piece of jewelry and see what you can find. You can also try finding similar jewelry and checking its price.
Visit our jewelry blog to read hundreds of educational articles on jewelry written by leading expert jewelers and gemologists.
Another excellent way to learn more about your jewelry is to use Google Lens. This is a great image-recognition tool that allows you to learn more about the things you see around you. All you need to do is take a photo of your jewelry, and Google Lens will do the rest. It can help you discover whether you have a generic or unique piece of jewelry, learn more details about its origin and history, and ultimately find out the value.
4. Get Your Jewelry Appraised
The only way to know for sure how much your jewelry is worth is to get it appraised. Experts will examine your jewelry thoroughly and provide information on its value and main characteristics. Keep in mind that it’s important to find a reputable jewelry appraisal service that won’t try to trick you into selling your jewelry at a lower price.
If you want to find such a service, check for online reviews or ask your family or friends for recommendations. You should also search the appraisal service on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) site.
Selling Jewelry Online vs. In a Store
If you want to sell old jewelry, one of the biggest decisions you need to make is whether to do it online or in person. Both have their advantages and drawbacks, so the key is finding the best option for you.
Selling jewelry online is much more convenient because you don’t have to leave your house to do it. Plus, posting your jewelry on the internet allows you to reach more online jewelry buyers and get a much better price for what you’re selling. Of course, there are some drawbacks to selling jewelry online, and the biggest one is probably that it’s more time-consuming.
Selling in a store is faster in the sense that you can simply walk into a reliable jeweler and sell the jewelry for cash on the spot. While this is a quicker option, it’s usually not very convenient. You need to ask yourself, “Where to sell jewelry near me?” and look for someone reputable who won’t try to trick you and give you a low price.
Another disadvantage of selling jewelry in a store is that it’s often more expensive. Namely, jewelry shop owners pay for overhead costs like rent, employee salaries, and administrative costs. They need to make more money to pay these costs and make a profit, so they may offer a lower price for your jewelry. Online jewelry buyers may not have these costs, so they could give you a better price.
Top 5 Online Stores to Sell Jewelry
Here are the top five online stores for selling fine jewelry online.
Estate Diamond Jewelry
Estate Diamond Jewelry has been in the jewelry business for over 40 years (and specializes in vintage and antique jewelry), but it can also offer excellent prices for modern pieces. They ensure the entire process runs smoothly with their professionalism, experience, and reliability. Customers can be 100% sure they’ll get a great price for their jewelry.
Over the years, Estate Diamond Jewelry has had hundreds of satisfied customers, and that’s the best advertisement.
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Etsy
Etsy is a global online marketplace where you can buy and sell a wide range of products, including jewelry. Since it has millions of users, Etsy can be a great place for selling your jewelry. The downside is that you’ll have to deal with the buyers and the marketing on your own, and that may be way more work than you imagine putting yourself through.
WP Diamonds
If you want to sell diamond jewelry online, WP Diamonds is a great choice. The online store was founded in 2012 and offers its customers professionalism. The entire selling process is quite smooth. You will need to provide details of your jewelry, and then you’ll receive a price quote by phone or email. If you like the quote, the company will ask you to ship the jewelry; they’ll evaluate it and give you a final price.
Worthy
Although Worthy isn’t an online store per se, it made our list because of its popularity and reliability. This service has a buyer network that bids for jewelry. After the auction is over, Worthy will send you the money and take a small fee for their service. The fee is a certain percentage of the price your jewelry was sold for.
The Diamond Valet
Another great option for anyone who wants to sell diamond jewelry online is The Diamond Valet. The selling process consists of only a few steps, and it starts with you filling out the evaluation form on their website. Then, you’ll receive a package you can use to send your jewelry and any certifications if you have them.
After receiving your package, experts at The Diamond Valet will examine your jewelry and offer you a price.
How to Avoid Scams When Selling Jewelry Online
Many people are wary of selling their jewelry online because they’re afraid they’ll get scammed. Fortunately, there are ways to ensure that doesn’t happen.
1. Check Online Reviews of the Company
If you want to sell old jewelry to an online store or company, you have to do some research and establish whether they are reliable. Read what others have written about the company to ensure it is trustworthy. Many positive reviews prove the company is reputable, and you can expect a smooth selling process. If you see a lot of negative reviews, it may be wise to find a different company.
When checking online reviews, it’s important to remember that they are subjective. One bad experience doesn’t mean you should stay away from the company if there are a hundred good ones.
2. Find the Right Company
Finding a reliable buyer is one of the biggest issues when selling your jewelry online. The company you choose should have years of experience with buying jewelry. Of course, this doesn’t mean brand-new companies are not trustworthy, but it’s usually better to work with someone who has done this many times before.
You should also check if the company is registered with the Better Business Bureau (BBB), thus confirming its credibility and reliability.
3. Take a Lot of Photos
Before sending your jewelry, it’s vital to take many close-up photos of it. Ensure to take photos from every angle and use a light background for better visibility. These photos will be your guarantee in case the buyer says there’s damage.
4. Don’t Send Your Jewelry Overseas
Selling valuable jewelry to someone overseas can be complicated and time-consuming. You may need to gather additional paperwork and pay money for taxes, not to mention the package can get lost in the mail. While sending your jewelry overseas isn’t impossible, it’s better to lower the risks of something going wrong as much as possible.
5. Send With Full Insurance and Tracking Code
The jewelry you send to the buyer should be covered by full insurance and use a tracking code. This reduces the chances of the package getting lost in the mail, damaged, or stolen.
Top 5 Places to Sell Cheap or Costume Jewelry
Costume jewelry, also called fashion jewelry, is jewelry that doesn’t contain gemstones or precious metals. This jewelry is more affordable than fine jewelry and can be made of base metals like copper or aluminum, leather, textile, etc.
Here are the top five places for selling costume jewelry.
Etsy
Etsy is an online marketplace focused on selling vintage and handmade items and craft supplies. It has millions of regular users and is easy to use, making it a perfect place for selling your costume jewelry.
eBay
Founded in 1995, eBay has a long tradition, and it’s one of the most popular e-commerce companies in the world. The platform has more than 150 million active users, which is more than impressive. If you want to sell costume jewelry, eBay is an excellent choice.
Amazon
Amazon is another great spot for selling costume jewelry. This platform has grown to become one of the most influential economic forces worldwide, and has changed the e-commerce game.
Bonanza
Bonanza is a fast-growing marketplace resembling eBay. Here, users can sell and buy collectibles, home décor, clothes, jewelry, etc. The website is easy to use and has a separate category for fashion jewelry.
Shopify
Shopify is another excellent place to sell costume jewelry. Here, sellers can create and customize their own online stores. It’s a great place for users who make costume jewelry or have a lot to sell.
How to Sell Jewelry at Auction
Many people think about selling their jewelry at auction. This allows them to get multiple offers for one piece of jewelry and choose the highest one. However, selling at auctions can be time-consuming and complicated. You first need to find out the value of your jewelry, get a pre-sale auction estimate, and consign it to the right auction. Moreover, you’ll be expected to submit your piece of jewelry for the pre-auction viewing exhibition.
Selling at auction may be appealing, but it comes with many risks, as you could end up getting a much lower price than you wanted. Plus, auction houses usually have a minimum price value and take a big cut.
If you’re considering selling at auction, first consult with Estate Diamond Jewelry to find out all your options.
Talk to an Expert Jewelry Buyer
Whether you’re wondering where to sell jewelry near me or want to sell it online, Estate Diamond Jewelry can help. Our expert jewelry buyers can help you learn more about your jewelry and offer you a great price for it. We do our business online, but we also have a showroom in New York where you can talk to our experts in person. This means that, if you want, you can sell your jewelry for cash on the spot.
If you have any questions, please send us a message, and we’ll get back to you within one business hour.