Got Gold? 4 Ways to Make the Most of Your Precious Metals

Everyone needs a little extra cash from time to time. This is the perfect time to look through some old jewelry to see if there any pieces you do not want anymore. You want to collect all of these items so you can go out and try to sell them for some cash. The following are a few tips that will help you get the most out of your old precious jewelry.

Investigate Your Piece

The first thing you want to do before you attempt to sell your gold piece, silver, or precious stone is learn as much as you can about it. There are many things you can find out to properly gauge the value of your piece.
For example, it is a good idea to know the carat weight. This could help you determine how much your piece is worth. It also helps make you a savvy jewelry seller because you will know if a buyer is trying to deceive you. Be sure to know the color grade of your piece and its clarity. Remember that a clear piece, without imperfections, is what you want.

Online Research

There is no doubt that the internet has given individuals an opportunity to sell items from the comfort of their homes. Some of these items can be new while others are used. One of the most popular items to sell online is jewelry. What you want to do is take all the information you learned about your piece, and compare it to similar ones online.

Now, this does not mean you want to compare it to new items, which are likely priced higher than what your piece is worth. You want to look for used items to see how much others are pricing it for. Be sure to view more than one seller so that you get a good idea of what your piece might be worth. Knowing this could ensure that you do not get an inadequate offer for your piece.

Cleanliness Matters

The next step you want to take is to simply prepare the pieces you are trying to sell. You may not think this could have a big impact on the overall value of your piece, but it does. A big reason this matters is because the buyer is going to base the final offer on the condition of your piece.

It is important that you have a professional clean each piece if you are not aware of how to clean it. Of course, there are some jewelry cleaners sold online or at jewelry stores that could help, but harsh conditions require a little extra. You can use a soft toothbrush to buff your pieces while using your jewelry cleaner. Stay away from harsh bristles, which can scratch stones or certain metals.

Repairs Might Help

Okay, repairs can always help ensure the value of a piece, but sometimes the value is not high enough to justify such an investment. You want to take your piece to a professional jeweler to find out how much it is to repair a piece. Weight this price against the offers that most buyers are offering for the piece, and decide if it’s worth it.

It is important that you take your pieces to a professional jeweler and not an amateur, which could do more harm to your piece than good. You want to read good reviews, and you also want to ask the potential repair specialists to see past work to make sure you are getting the best work on your piece. Again, this is only worth it if your piece is worth the investment.

These tips should make it easier to get the most out of your old jewelry pieces. Remember to get offers from more than one buyer so that you get the very best offer possible. It’s also important to note that jewelry isn’t the only source of gold that you can sell for cash. It isn’t unheard of to sell crowns for gold and turn a pretty profit. Whatever you end up doing, remember to do your research and make sure you know what you’re doing in advance.