💎 Jewelry Reselling
Reseller Guide
Types of Jewelry
| Type | Materials | Value Driver |
|---|---|---|
| Fine Jewelry | Gold, platinum, precious gems | Metal/gem value + craftsmanship |
| Designer | Varies (Tiffany, Cartier, etc.) | Brand name premium |
| Vintage Costume | Base metals, rhinestones, glass | Age, brand, style |
| Fashion/Modern Costume | Plated metals, synthetic gems | Usually low value |
| Sterling Silver | 92.5% silver | Silver weight + design |
Testing & Identification
Hallmarks to Know
- 10K, 14K, 18K, 24K: Gold karat (purity)
- 585: 14K gold (European marking)
- 750: 18K gold
- 925, Sterling: Sterling silver
- Plat, PT950: Platinum
- GF, 1/20 14K: Gold filled (not solid)
- GP, HGE: Gold plated (low value)
Testing Tools
- Loupe (10x): See hallmarks, quality indicators
- Magnet: Gold/silver are NOT magnetic
- Acid test kit: Definitive karat test
- Digital scale: Weigh for scrap calculations
- XRF machine: Pro-level, non-destructive testing
Pricing Strategies
Scrap Value Calculation
Gold scrap = Weight × Karat purity × Spot price × 70-80%
Example: 10g of 14K gold at $60/gram spot = 10 × 0.585 × $60 × 0.75 = $263
Designer Premium
- Tiffany & Co: 2-5x+ over metal value
- Cartier: 3-10x+ for iconic pieces
- David Yurman: Strong secondary market
- Pandora: Limited premium, high volume
Vintage Costume Brands
- Miriam Haskell: $50-500+
- Weiss: $30-200+
- Eisenberg: $50-300+
- Trifari: $20-200+
- Coro: $10-100+
- Monet: $5-50+ (common)
Where to Source
- Estate sales: Often underpriced, check jewelry cases
- Thrift stores: Hit or miss, check everything
- Garage sales: People don't know values
- Pawn shops: Buy below retail, sell higher online
- Auctions: Estate auctions, storage units
- Jewelry lots: Liquidation lots online
💡 Pro Tip: Always test EVERYTHING. That "gold" ring could be plated. That "diamond" could be CZ. Testing takes seconds and saves money.
Where to Sell
- eBay: Largest market, authentication available
- Poshmark: Good for fashion jewelry, lower fees
- Etsy: Vintage jewelry (20+ years), handmade
- The RealReal: Luxury designer pieces
- Ruby Lane: Vintage and antique focus
- Scrap buyers: For broken/damaged gold/silver
- Local jewelers: May buy or consign quality pieces
Red Flags
- Green skin marks: Indicates copper/cheap metal
- Magnetic: Not gold or silver
- Too cheap: If deal seems too good, it's fake
- No hallmarks: Could still be real, but test carefully
- Worn plating: Shows base metal underneath
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