What to do with / where to sell jewelry?

[disneysteve]

My cousin left behind a number of items of jewelry, most of which belonged to his parents and a couple of rings that were his. I'm not quite sure what we want to do with them yet, but in the event that we decide to sell them, any tips on the best place to do that? Would we typically make out better going to a jeweler who handles estate pieces as opposed to just a "cash for gold" sort of place? I believe the estate jewelers are buying items for their value as jewelry so they can resell them as is while the gold dealers are strictly paying by weight based on the gold content. Is that accurate?

[Fishindude77]

This is a long shot, but maybe a jeweler or jewelry store ?

[disneysteve]

This is a long shot, but maybe a jeweler or jewelry store ?

That was basically my question. Are we likely to do better at a jewelry store than at a cash for gold place? And I’m sure not all jewelry stores buy estate items. I’m wondering how to go about finding the best place to sell these things.

Does anyone here have any experience selling old jewelry like this?

[myrdale]

I seem to remember a service where you could mail it into a company, and they'd give you a quote or sale or ship back.

You might look around and find out who the local pawn shops sale their scrap gold to.

[ua_guy]

That was basically my question. Are we likely to do better at a jewelry store than at a cash for gold place? And I’m sure not all jewelry stores buy estate items. I’m wondering how to go about finding the best place to sell these things.

Does anyone here have any experience selling old jewelry like this?

I think that basic assumption is correct. The base value is in the materials, but there may be more value to be had selling the actual piece to a jewelry store.

Check out the American Gem Society, americangemsociety.org

They have listings of appraisers and stores local to you that are buyers.

[scfr]

I have some experience, but it's pretty limited.

Are the pieces generic, or are they brand name (Tiffany, David Yurman, Harry Winston, etc.)?
If generic, you may do better selling to a "we buy gold and silver" place.
If brand name, or if they have an interesting provenance (one of a kind piece made for a celebrity or other notable person) take them to an estate jewelry resale place to get a quote.

P.S. - Edited to add: I once sold a gold ring for my mom on eBay and got more than I was offered at the "we buy gold" place, but I'd be hesitant to do that now given the number of scammy buyers out there.

[disneysteve]

I have some experience, but it's pretty limited.

Are the pieces generic, or are they brand name (Tiffany, David Yurman, Harry Winston, etc.)?
If generic, you may do better selling to a "we buy gold and silver" place.
If brand name, or if they have an interesting provenance (one of a kind piece made for a celebrity or other notable person) take them to an estate jewelry resale place to get a quote.

P.S. - Edited to add: I once sold a gold ring for my mom on eBay and got more than I was offered at the "we buy gold" place, but I'd be hesitant to do that now given the number of scammy buyers out there.

It's all generic stuff - a couple of low end engagement rings, a couple of wedding bands, a couple of Masonic rings, etc. I thought about going the ebay route but my concern with that isn't the scammy buyers as much as not knowing how to accurately describe the items or being sure that I'm not grossly undercharging for something.

[crazyliblady]

My cousin left behind a number of items of jewelry, most of which belonged to his parents and a couple of rings that were his. I'm not quite sure what we want to do with them yet, but in the event that we decide to sell them, any tips on the best place to do that? Would we typically make out better going to a jeweler who handles estate pieces as opposed to just a "cash for gold" sort of place? I believe the estate jewelers are buying items for their value as jewelry so they can resell them as is while the gold dealers are strictly paying by weight based on the gold content. Is that accurate?

Pawn shops sell jewelry, so you could try to sell it to one of them. I have never done this before.