Selling jewellery?

SecondStar

I have an engagement ring and wedding band from my previous marriage that I’m never going to want or need to keep. Think they’re both 18k white gold, engagement ring has a main diamond and 4 diamond chips, and the wedding band has about 7 small diamonds. No paperwork, unfortunately. Each ring cost about 1k, if I remember. Very small size though - think they’re an I?

I’ve tried a few local shops - nowhere buys secondhand jewellery, the closest I got was a shop that would display them for sale, and then take a percentage. The owner said she’d list the engagement ring for about £200, and the wedding band for £100. Obviously no guarantees that they’d sell.

Just wondered if there were other options to sell these that I hadn’t thought about? Is there any value in diamond jewellery without paperwork, or would they just be the scrap value of the gold?

AnimalTribe

I have the same problem. I inherited some jewellery that I will keep, but also some jewellery that I do not want. They have no paperwork, and I have no idea what the gem stones are. I have considered getting a professional valuation (like you would for insurance purposes from the Jewellery Valuers Association). However, I'm not sure the cost of the valuation would be worth it (I was quoted £70 for a written valuation). Also, I'm not sure how acceptable such a valuation would be to possible buyers. Not an answer I know, but hopefully someone can shed more light on this for you.

DullGreyGuy

SecondStar said:

Just wondered if there were other options to sell these that I hadn’t thought about? Is there any value in diamond jewellery without paperwork, or would they just be the scrap value of the gold?

Paperwork doesnt matter too much as long as the place you are selling them to doesnt think they are stolen. If it was a certificated diamond then people like to have the certificate but with most certifying companies you can give the serial number etched into the girdle of the stone and they'll issue you a replacement certificate.

Unfortunately high street jewelers massively overcharge for their wares and so people get a bit of a shock at the secondhand value. Unless its by a well known/respected brand, particularly unusual or old then most jewelry is worth little more than its scrap value.

There are plenty of online places that will give you a no obligation quote for selling the items to them and so you could compare a couple and see what they offer. As they are buying it straight up its potentially going to be less than what the people willing to attempt to sell it for you were saying as they're out of pocket until they sell it. 

[Deleted User]

I have sold the same things and used two different routes to sell it.

My first time was a, local, auction house whereby the commissions paid made me a very, small profit.

The second time (and subsequent) i used a gold buying shop, in the town, it was there, where they're just buying the gold's weight, that i received a good profit.

I would definitely suggest people try several different routes now.

If we're talking exceptional pieces (as in tens of thousands each piece) then one of the large, well known, auction houses would be sensible to have a conversation with.