Used jewelry can be a great option for a lot of people. While you may be a little hesitant to buy used jewelry, there are many reasons why you should. Our guide will give you everything you need in order to make an informed buying decision.
Pros and Cons
As you probably already know, used jewelry has its pros and cons. We explain each pro and con below.
Pros
Buying used jewelry comes with a variety of pros:
Affordability
The first, and most obvious, benefit about used jewelry is that it's much cheaper than new pieces of jewelry. You can invest in seemingly expensive items, like diamond-encrusted rings, but at a lower price than if you bought them new. In fact, you can sometimes find high-quality used jewelry items at 40% lower prices.
Vintage Look
For some jewelry pieces, they can add a vintage look to your outfit. Many used pieces can be historic or antique options which means you can buy a piece of history while also looking good.
Good Quality
Used jewelry might sound like it would be a mediocre option, but this isn't the case. In fact, most used jewelry pieces look brand new and barely used at all. Quality jewelry also tends to be somewhat durable so it will last a long time.
Eco-Friendly
Surprisingly, buying used jewelry can also help to protect the environment. By reusing the gems and metals in the jewelry, there's less need for excessive mining around the world which can destroy landscapes and habitats.
Cons
Buying used jewelry also has its potential cons:
You're Not the First Owner
One of the main cons of buying used jewelry is that it's used. So you're not the first owner of the piece. Some people care about this fact, while others don't.
It Might Be Altered
Some pieces might be altered by a jeweler. Some jewelers might remove a gem from the piece and replace it with another or make another type of alteration. A piece of used jewelry could be combination of old and new. Therefore you'll want to be careful with your inspection if you want an authentic piece.
It Might Look a Little Worn
While many used jewelry pieces are elegant, sometimes they might not have a shine or brilliant grandeur like a new piece would. Instead, they are more subdued with their colors.
How to Get a Good Deal
In order to price a piece of jewelry there a few different factors to consider. For any piece of jewelry you need to consider the precious metal content, the condition, and the craftsmanship. First you should get the scrap metal price by using a jewelry calculator. On our website we have gold, silver, and platinum jewelry calculators. To calculate the price, you'll just need to enter the item's weight and purity.
Once you know the precious metal value of the piece of jewelry, then you can start negotiating. Just know that jewelry always costs more than its precious metal value. But you shouldn't pay way above the precious metal value. So have the seller make you an offer first and then try to negotiate a good price for you.
How to Avoid Scams
When it comes to buying used jewelry you need to be careful to avoid scams. There are a few methods you can use to avoid getting scammed.
First you should consider the price. If you're interested in a quality piece of jewelry and it comes at a very low price, then it's probably too good to be true. Low marked pieces are at a low price for a reason- either they have some defect or they are fake. On occasion there could be some amazing deals out there, but you need to be careful. So consider the price, and if it's too low then it might be best to look somewhere else. Otherwise, you might find yourself with a fake or low-quality piece of jewelry.
The more you know about gems and jewelry, the less likely you are to get taken advantage of. If you're interested in a specific type of jewelry, such as silver or pearls, then learn more about the type and see how an ideal jewelry piece should look like. We have an entire blog with helpful articles for precious metals and jewelry.
Best Places to Buy Used Jewelry
There are many different places you can shop for used jewelry. Below we'll review some of the top places.
Reputable Jewelers
Some towns and cities have reputable local jewelers. These jewelers will give you good service and decent prices on used jewelry.
Yard Sales
Some of the best deals can be found at yard sales. At a good yard sale you could be able to find several different jewelry items. When shopping at a yard sale it's really important to know the difference between valuable jewelry and plated jewelry. You wouldn't want to overpay for plated jewelry.
Online
The internet gives you a lot of buying options. There is Amazon, eBay, and other popular sites. Just make sure that you're getting a fair deal and that you're buying from a reputable seller. Craigslist is another option, as you can occasionally find good deals in your local area.
Conclusion
Used jewelry is a great way to complement your look. However, it's important to be cautious when shopping for used jewelry because it can be easy to buy low-quality or fake pieces. But by keeping the information mentioned above in mind, you can be sure you find the perfect used jewelry pieces for you.