Parting with your favourite necklace, diamond ring, or cherished family heirloom is a big decision. It’s now easier than ever to sell your jewellery in the UK and there are dozens of options out there to choose from. Whether online or on the high street, it’s important to find somewhere reputable and trustworthy that will give you the best price possible for your jewellery. We’ve put together a list of the most popular ways to sell your jewellery and provide you with the pros and cons to help you make the best decision.
Where to sell jewellery online
The easiest way to sell your jewellery is by doing it online. The e-commerce industry is booming and there are tons of sites you can use to get rid of your unwanted jewellery. If you decide to sell online, however, try to be aware of scammers and make sure you only use reputable sites.
eBay
eBay is a major online e-commerce site and one of the most popular websites in the world to sell unwanted items. Not only is it one of the biggest online marketplaces in the world, but also offers buyer protection against scammers.
Pros: Choose your buyer. Set your own price. Easy to use. Reputable. Buyer protection.
Cons: Scammers! No guaranteed sale. Subject to fees.
Facebook Marketplace
Facebook marketplace is another fantastic place to sell second-hand items such as jewellery. This is especially useful if you want to keep your sale local and allows you to message the buyer before selling.
Pros: No fees. Local buyers. Can set and haggle prices. No fees.
Cons: Scammers. Takes time to sell.
Cash for gold websites
Cash for gold sites are a fast way to get cash for your jewellery or precious metals. Keep in mind that these sites don’t always provide you with the best price for your item as they often only consider the weight of the metal.
Pros: Easy to use. Fast cash.
Cons: Lower payout. Can’t set your own price.
Where to sell jewellery on the high street
If selling online isn’t for you, there’s always the high street. There are a couple of options you can try to get the best deal for your items.
Pawnbrokers
Pawnbrokers are another great way to get quick cash for your jewellery. Be careful which ones you use as they often fail to employ jewellery experts that can provide you with a fair quote. This means lower and more cautious offers.
Pros: Fast cash. Easy to find.
Cons: Lower offers. Lack of jewellery knowledge.
Local Jewellery Stores
You can always take your unwanted items down to your local jewellers. As long as you go to a reputable store you should be provided with a fair quote from someone with expertise. Not every jewellery store will buy your item, however, which can be time-consuming.
Pros: Fair offers. Jewellery expertise.
Cons: Difficult to find. No guaranteed sale.
J.V. Jewellers and Pawnbrokers
We can provide you with fast cash and fair quotes from our in-house jewellery experts. With over 30 years of experience in the industry, you can be certain you are selling to a reputable source. In addition to in-store valuations, we also have our own online unique gold buying service. Use our gold calculator for a free quote to get started.
Pros: Fair offers. Jewellery experts. Online and high street options.
How to get the best price for your jewellery
Before you part with your jewellery, there are a few things to consider that will help you get the best deal when turning your jewellery into cash.
Determine the history and age of your jewellery
The provenance of your item is an important factor that can affect how much you are offered for your jewellery. If you know that your item is old or has been in your family for a long time, it’s possible that it could be antique or collectable. Knowing the difference between an old piece of jewellery and an antique can mean a difference of hundreds, if not thousands of pounds.
To find out if your jewellery is an antique the first step is good old fashioned detective work. Take a closer look at your jewellery and search for any identifying marks or stamps such as the manufacturer, date, or designer. If you manage to find something useful, google is your friend. Try to find similar-looking pieces that have sold online to get an idea for how much your item could be worth.
If you’re still unsure about the value of your jewellery, we recommend sending it to a trusted jewellery valuer to help give you an idea of its worth.
Gather your documentation
Documentation is an important factor that can improve buyer confidence and provide evidence that your jewellery is an authentic piece. This can be something such as a certificate of authenticity, a past valuation, or even a product receipt.
Take note of its condition
The condition of your jewellery is also an important factor that can affect its worth. If you have a high-value item that is broken or damaged, it might be worth considering a restoration to increase its value. However, this is not always the case, especially with low-value items where the restoration cost can outweigh the profit increase.
You may also want to clean your jewellery before posting it online or showing it around. You can do this easily at home or by taking it to a professional jeweller.
Final thoughts?
There are a few final things you should keep in mind when looking to sell your jewellery. We have some quick tips that will help keep you safe and get you the best deal.
Shop around
You don’t have to sell to the first place that gives you a quote. Try to get multiple quotes for your jewellery and choose which one offers you the best price. Businesses will often try to beat the price of their competitors.
Make sure the company is reputable
Make sure you use a reputable company when selling your jewellery. Look for positive reviews on Trustpilot or Google and take note of any negative experiences past customers have had. You can also check the social profiles of a company to make sure they are active and genuine.
Be wary of scams
If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Make sure you stay safe when selling your jewellery and watch out for anything that could potentially be a scam. If you are posting items through an online marketplace, take a closer look at the buyer’s account and don’t send out any goods until the money in your account has cleared. If possible, try to meet in person. But make sure you arrange to meet somewhere public or somewhere that you are familiar with.
