Where To Sell Jewelry: 13 Best Places To Earn More Cash (2024)

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Selling your own jewelry and cleaning out your jewelry box can fetch a surprising amount of cash. But you must find out where to sell jewelry to make more profit!

Choosing the best option depends on how fast you want the money and what kind of unwanted jewelry you’re trying to sell.

You can sell jewelry at local retailers or you can sell jewelry through various websites.

Whether selling fine jewelry or costume jewelry, weigh the pros and cons below to find the best place to sell jewelry online or in person.

Key Takeaways

• Explore multiple platforms to maximize the value you get from selling used jewelry. My top pick is Worthy, but you can get quotes locally and online from many jewelry sellers!
• Consider both local retailers and online marketplaces for a wider range of selling options.
• Getting quotes from different sellers can lead to better deals for your pieces.
• Be aware of the pros and cons associated with each selling method to make an informed decision.
• Ensure to adequately research and verify the credibility of online buyers or websites.
• Selling fine jewelry may benefit from specialized online platforms that focus on high-value items.
• Costume jewelry might find a better market in local boutiques or general online marketplaces.

Sell Your Jewelry: Where To Sell Jewelry Online

Whether you want cash for a diamond piece, gold jewelry, or precious metals, you want to know that you’ll get the best value.

Below is a breakdown of the pros and cons of the top places for selling jewelry online so you can make an informed decision.

1. Worthy

Worthy is an online marketplace for fine jewelry and watches, and we found it was great for selling engagement rings. They’re an online auction house that deals with high-end jewelry and brands.

To make it even easier, Worthy provides free, secure FedEx shipping for your jewelry and ensures your item is up to $50,000 with Lloyds of London.

Once your item arrives at the Worthy offices, they will inspect, clean, and take professional photographs for auction.

Then, Worthy will sell your jewelry at auction, where you can set a reserve price (aka a minimum price that’s worth selling).

Worthy takes a fee of 10% – 18% of the sale. The higher the value of your item, the lower the fee. Their fee for a multiple-piece sale is a flat 18%.

Pros

• Instant price appraisal, then free evaluation for a more accurate estimate (by real jewelry specialists!)
• Clean your diamond jewelry for free
• Free secure pickup and secure tracking service
• Full insurance coverage from the moment your item leaves your home
• Free cleaning and professional photographs
• Items sell within an average of 10-14 business days

Cons

• No guarantee of sale
• Final sale price is determined by bidders, not by estimate
• Fees as high as 18%

2. Cash for Gold USA

Cash For Gold USA is great for selling jewelry online and getting money quickly. They will buy all kinds of jewelry from you at reasonable rates, plus you can sell gold here.

Despite their name, Cash For Gold USA will purchase gold, silver, platinum, and diamond jewelry from you- not just gold!

They also accept broken jewelry, and you’ll be paid based on weight and purity rather than the item’s condition.

You just fill out a form and choose your preferred method of shipping, then send in the jewelry.

Within 24 hours, you will be sent an offer from a certified appraisal technician. If you accept their offer, you’ll be paid within 24 hours, and if not, they send it back to you.

Pros

• Accepts fine pieces regardless of age, value, or whether it’s mass-produced
• Will buy broken or damaged jewelry
• Pays within 24 hours
• Insured shipping up to $5,000
• Mails back jewelry for free if you decline their offer
• Owned by C.J. Environmental, a business with a BBB rating of “A”
• Get a 10% bonus above their estimate if you ship within seven days

Cons

• Gold jewelry is 8 karats, minimum
• May not get the highest offer for diamond jewelry and other valuable gems

3. Sotheby’s

Sotheby’s is one of the best-known names for art and collectibles auctions.

They have auction houses in many places, including New York and Paris, but they also have an online auction house perfect for selling jewelry and earning top dollar.

You might have to wait up to 7 days for an estimate, so it’s not as fast as other platforms. Once appraised, they’ll list your items until you find potential buyers.

They don’t offer the same services as other companies, such as free shipping and insurance, but you may get more payouts from auctions in the end.

Pros

• Trusted place to sell rare or valuable jewelry
• Reliable auction site
• You can earn a lot of money from your jewelry
• Have the option of an auction or private sale

Cons

• Jewelry must be worth $2,000 or more
• Long wait for an estimate before you sell your jewelry
• Doesn’t offer shipping or insurance

4. The Real Real

The Real Real is an online luxury consignment site that evaluates your jewelry and sells it for a determined price. They’re known for designer jewelry and high end stuff.

To send your item to The Real Real, you can schedule a pickup, ship, or drop off your jewelry.

Once the item is sold, you receive payment minus the consignment commission, plus the compensation.

Items not sold within a year are sent back to you at TheReal Real’s expense.

You keep up to 70% of the sales price for jewelry that sells for $995 or more. Watches you sell for at least $2,495 means you’ll pocket 85% of the sale cost.

Pros

• A+ BBB rating
• Transparent consignment fees
• Pays within 24 hours

Cons

• Not a dedicated jewelry shop
• Focused on designer jewelry
• Have to pay consignment fees, which can be high
• Only consigns high-end brands

5. Circa Jewelry

Circa Jewelry is a fast place to sell high-end jewelry online and get money in your pocket.

The site buys from you and resells pieces online, so they may lowball offers just like a pawn shop would.

You can sell your jewelry to them online, though the appraisals on diamond jewelry can take longer.

They’ll appraise your diamond jewelry in person, and it’s a more straightforward process when you do.

The appraiser can verify the info on your jewelry and make you an offer right away.

Pros

• A+ rating with BB
• Get paid via gift card- get an extra 20% added to your final price!

Cons

• Less profit- auction houses pay more
• No lab-grown diamonds or stones accepted

Local Jewelry Stores: Sell Jewelry In Person

6. Pawn Shops

You won’t get as much for your jewelry at a pawn shop as you would at local jewelry stores. But they do buy most jewelry, including watches, costume jewelry, and trendy collections.

Shoppers at a pawn shop expect ultra-low prices, and jewelry buyers must account for some profit margin when they resell it.

If you’re looking to sell your jewelry, ask around at multiple pawn shops to compare prices and ensure you get a good price.

I’d also skip the pawn shop if you want to sell high-end jewelry or valuable items like diamond jewelry or loose diamonds- you’ll get more at auction houses!

Pros

• Can sell any jewelry, including estate jewelry and other jewelry
• Earn cash on the spot
• No shipping, show up to the shop

Cons

• May earn less than at a jewelry store
• You should know the value of your jewelry before selling it to get a fair price

7. Jewelry Stores

Selling jewelry at a local jewelry store could be a quick way to get a fair price for your pieces.

Most jewelry stores will allow you to trade your diamond items for the full amount you paid as long as your new purchase is double that amount.

Jewelry stores also offer online gold and platinum buyback programs, where you can ship these items to them for free and receive a competitive offer.

Jewelry stores know jewels, so they can give you an accurate appraisal and a good offer. Make sure you read and understand the buyback terms and conditions before selling to a jewelry store.

Many jewelry stores are more likely to buy your item and give you store credit than to pay you cash.

National jewelry stores offer trade-in and buy-back programs for their own jewelry you bought, which you may not get from a local jeweler. You must show a purchase receipt to receive a trade-in towards a new purchase at a local jeweler.

Pros

• Get store credit toward a new diamond purchase
• Trusted source
• Secure process for gold and platinum trade-ins

Cons

• Diamond pieces must be purchased at the store you are trading them in at
• You must have a receipt for diamond trade-ins
• You might not earn cash
• Need to read buyback terms and conditions

8. “We Buy Gold” Shops

Many businesses will do a gold exchange, not just jewelry buyers. You can sell jewelry with different metals and stones at these shops.

Additionally, you can sell broken or damaged pieces, and their value will not be affected.

Exchange stores accept almost anything with precious metals. You can even sell gold bullion and collectible coins for cash.

This isn’t the place to necessarily sell vintage jewelry if they aren’t a valuable material, but everything is practically fair game.

Gold exchange stores are likely to pay you the scrap value for your gold, diamonds, silver, and platinum pieces.

You may earn less for the quick cash sale, but upfront payment can be better than trying to find potential buyers yourself.

If you’re looking for a fast and easy way to sell your jewelry and get paid ASAP, a “we buy gold” shop might be the way to go.

Pros

• Easy and fast
• Cash up-front
• May accept any type of jewelry
• You can shop around for the best rates
• Can sell broken jewelry

Cons

• May earn less than if you sold the jewelry yourself
• May get more money for vintage pieces elsewhere

9. Consignment Shops

In a consignment store, you bring your jewelry in, and the shop will display it until someone purchases it.

You don’t get paid right away. Instead, you will earn money once your jewelry is sold.

Consignment shops are essentially serving as your personal jewelry showroom, and you will pay for that privilege.

Consignment rates can be high, sometimes up to 50% of the item’s value. Be sure to ask what the rate is before selling your jewelry at a consignment shop.

There is a chance that the consignment shop will not accept your jewelry for sale if they don’t think they can sell it.

Even if they do consign it, it is possible that your piece may not sell. In that case, they would return it to you, and you don’t usually have to pay a fee.

Pros

• Your jewelry is displayed at a storefront
• You don’t usually have to pay a fee to consign, you only pay once the item sells

Cons

• High rates up to 50%
• You may need to wait a long time

Bonus Places To Sell Jewelry Online: Create An Online Store

Sometimes, you want to sell things, but with your own price point in mind- you can get more money by selling directly to customers.

Or maybe you’re thinking about starting a successful online jewelry business with your own jewelry collection!

You can turn around and be the seller by offloading your jewelry online on your online store or social media.

10. Etsy Shop

Etsy is a great place to sell handmade or vintage jewelry. You can resell items you’ve bought or your own work, plus there are so many things to sell on Etsy to earn extra cash.

But Etsy may not be the best place to re-sell expensive jewelry- you’ll want to see what they have similar to your offerings or get an estimate for your jewelry to know what it’s worth.

You can visit a local jeweler for an estimate and decide whether you want to sell there or stick with Etsy.

Etsy has a buyers’ network from all over the world. Plus, it’s easy to use and secure.

Etsy does charge a $0.20 fee to list each item, which will be charged every 4 months as long as it is listed.

Then, they have a 5% transaction fee when you sell your item, which isn’t much since starting an Etsy shop is free.

You also are not required to pay a monthly fee to sell on the platform, although they offer an optional Etsy Plus package for growing brands.

Pros

• Fees are relatively low
• Audience is large

Cons

• Jewelry must be handmade or vintage
• Vintage items must be more than 20 years old

11. eBay Store

Sell your jewelry from the comfort of your own home rather than heading to the jewelry store! eBay is a perfect site to sell jewelry and so much more.

eBay is a good option if you have jewelry like necklaces or rings that don’t have a high resale value on luxury jewelry sites.

Plus, if you’re just selling a few items, you don’t even need a paid subscription to sell on eBay.

Make sure you describe your jewelry properly and list it in the correct category. It’s also important to look at competing listings for similar items to get an idea of what people will buy your item for.

You can opt to run an auction, where your starting price is lower but bidders bid against each other to drive up the price.

The other option is to set a “Buy It Now” price for whatever amount you want to earn for your jewelry and wait for the right buyer to come along.

Once your item sells, you will get money immediately if they use a PayPal or credit card.

eBay fees for sales of jewelry and watches are 12.85%, with a maximum fee of $750 per item.

Pros

• Sell from home
• Can sell low-value or other jewelry
• Don’t need to pay a subscription to list a few items

Cons

• You have to ship the items
• Risk of scams- see our safety tips below!

12. Facebook Marketplace

Facebook Marketplace is a peer-to-peer social media platform. It is super easy to list items; the best part is you can sell anything.

There are plenty of other ways to make money on Facebook too, but you can easily sell some unused jewelry- or other unwanted items!

Oftentimes buyers will haggle on jewelry prices on this platform, and you don’t want to lose out on making more money.

On the Marketplace, you can arrange meetups or pickup options for your items with local buyers. It might even be someone you know, like a friend or neighbor.

Pros

• Sell to someone you know
• Easy to list
• Earn cash

Cons

• Time-consuming to deal with no-shows
• Buyers may haggle

13. Craigslist

Another great option for selling your jewelry locally is Craigslist.

Here, you will upload a picture and description of what you are selling, and someone in your area will reach out to you to purchase it.

Craigslist sales are usually done locally, through meetups, and with cold hard cash.

Be wary of anyone who wants to wire you money or send you a check and ask you to mail your jewelry to them, this is a common scam. Since the risks of getting scammed are higher on Craigslist, be sure you sell safely.

It is common for buyers on Craigslist to haggle over prices, so you’ll want to back up your pricing with a strong description and maybe even list it for a slightly higher price so you don’t take less than you want.

Pros

• Easy to list
• Free to list
• Earn cash
• Sell locally

Cons

• Time-consuming to deal with no-shows
• Buyers may haggle
• Risk of scams

6 Jewelry Tips To Get The Most Money

Here are some top tips for selling your jewelry to get the most money, whether you are selling jewelry online or locally.

1. Be Informed On Your Pieces

If you want an immediate sale, your options will be limited on where you can sell. If you can wait, researching other possibilities allows you to find a better price for your pieces.

Visit an American Gem Society (AGS) jeweler who buys jewelry (not all do) and learn your options for selling your particular type of jewelry.

Pawnshops can help you with immediate sales, but you will need to visit several to get a good idea of what brokers will pay for a piece like yours.

When selling jewelry at an auction, online, or locally, you must ensure you understand the selling process to get a fair price.

And when you sell to a jewelry store, ensure you understand their buyback policies.

2. Get A Professional Appraisal

Do you know how much your jewelry is worth? Resale value is a numbers game; you don’t want to be ripped off!

You should get an independent appraisal to compare estimates you will receive from various buyers at any of the possible sales avenues.

Many jewelers will provide an appraisal for free so you can learn more about the resale value of your pieces.

But you may not want to have the same source purchasing your jewelry provide your appraisal if you’re worried about them underselling you.

A local jewelry store may have a free or inexpensive appraisal process, which I suggest you try first.

3. Have The History Ready (If Possible)

If you know the history of the item you are trying to sell, ensure that information is written down and ready to share with your buyer.

For example, purchase receipts and origin information are constructive for an appraisal.

If you don’t have history available, you can still sell your fine jewelry, but future you should keep records of all your jewelry purchases to have more info for resale value.

Buyers will be willing to pay a higher price for a piece of jewelry with a detailed history- plus if there’s a detailed appraisal!

4. Be VERY Detailed

When you are describing the jewelry, be as detailed as possible.

Describe the gemstones, cut, setting, karats, and more for jewelry like rings, earrings, and necklaces.

This will help your buyer know exactly what they are buying and determine if it is what they want.

5. If Selling Jewelry Online, Be Safe

Safety is key when you want to do local sales through Facebook or Craigslist.

Opt to meet in a public place to be safer. Many police stations allow peer-to-peer sales to occur in their parking lots to protect jewelry sellers and buyers.

Never accept a wire transfer or check in return for mailing your jewelry item to someone you don’t know. This is a common scam!

6. Wait For Better Offers

Unless you want a rush sale, don’t accept the first bid that comes your way. You could get a few other offers, which may be better- and worth the wait.

Auctions are great for this because buyers compete with each other. Each offer will need to be higher than the last, and you will see the amount you earn go up and up with each offer.

If you sell your jewelry locally on Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist, feel free to haggle the price up to what you want or decline and wait for a better offer.

FAQs

Is it worth selling my unwanted jewelry?

Selling unwanted jewelry is a great way to pay some bills, pay off your debts, treat yourself to something nice, or make room for new styles.

Remember that ring you’ve had for years but never wore once? Turn those into your new vacation fund!

There’s no better feeling than putting those unwanted pieces on the market and enjoying your earnings in other areas of life!

Is selling jewelry and other goods online a good idea?

Selling online is a savvy, time-saving way to flip your unwanted items and make money on something you no longer need or want.

If you sell your jewelry online, you can reach a wider audience and avoid the hassle of finding, communicating with, meeting, and exchanging jewelry with a local buyer.

You might be more comfortable selling high-end pieces, such as diamonds or gold, in person at a local store.

But keep in mind that several reputable websites will ensure and provide secure shipping and tracking for your jewelry, such as Worthy.

Final Thoughts

With so many options, you have a lot of opportunities to get the most cash for your old jewelry.

My top pick for selling your jewelry is Worthy, as they have a streamlined and stress-free process to help you get the most money for your used jewelry.

Getting multiple quotes from many jewelry sellers will help you find the best price for your pieces, so contact as many sites as possible!

Whatever site you use, just make sure you get an appraisal so you know how much your item is worth (especially if it is gold or diamond).