It can be surprising how quickly people can accrue jewelry that may end up being unwanted in their lives, and then not know what to do with it. It is difficult to just “get rid of” something that could be worth a lot of money potentially, or might have lost the sentimental value that was attached to it. Whether you need some extra cash, want to clean out and refresh your jewelry collection, or are trying to downsize, a pawn shop might be the best option for you. Rather than trying to assess the value on your own and wait for someone looking for a bargain to purchase on eBay or Craigslist, your local pawnbroker will be able to give you a payout on the spot, and a fair price since they will be knowledgeable about jewelry value. 

So, how much will you get for your jewelry? It depends on a couple things, most importantly quality of materials. First, let’s talk about gold. You will always be able to make a decent sum of money from gold jewelry, although the exact value can rise and fall according to the market. 24 karat gold will of course bring in more money than something that is only gold-plated. But any kind of gold jewelry will always be popular, and if you are in need of money or want to get rid of some jewelry that does not fit your style a pawn broker will be able to help you out.

Watches can bring in a tidy sum of money, especially if they are a popular or luxury brand name. Make sure that the watch is in good condition and working order. Patek Philippe, Piaget, Rolex, Seiko, and Swatch will all be good options to pawn since they are in demand, as well as other big brand names. 

Diamonds are always a great option for pawning. They will always have a relatively high value in the market and are a popular item to buy, so a pawn broker will give you a good price for yours. When you’re thinking about the value of your diamond, consider the four C’s. That is, use the clarity, cut, carat, and color to come up with a price estimation. This is a good system for considering most gems like rubies and tanzanite, as well. 

Antiques always depend on the location. Make sure to look for a pawn shop that has a good demographic for selling antiques, or else neither of you will be able to land on an appealing deal. 

In preparation for taking your jewelry to the pawn store, there is a little preparation you can do to make the process smooth for everyone. Evaluate how much your items are worth in the market, and then understand that a pawn broker may not be able to offer you the top price if the item isn’t selling particularly well in your area. Then, make sure to clean all of your jewelry to present them in the best light and quality possible. Then, sit back and let your pawn broker take care of your unwanted jewelry!

As the weather warms up, the birds start chirping again, and the flowers bloom, spring brings a feeling of refresh. Many take this opportunity to comb through their houses and get a little spring cleaning out of the way. There are a lot of ways to purge what you don’t want from your house, but have you thought of making a little cash on the side? Not by having a yard sale and simply hoping that someone will come by and take an interest in something — you can take your items to a pawn shop and ensure that you will be getting a fair exchange.

Pawn shops aren’t just for short term loans. You can sell your items to your local pawnbroker and save yourself a lot of hassle. Before you bring in your unwanted goods, though, there are a couple of things to consider. Pawnbrokers are running a business selling items that have more than just sentimental value, which means they typically will not offer a high price for “collectible” things like Beanie Babies, baseball pennants, Hot Wheels cars, Precious Moments figurines, marbles, and Cabbage Patch Kids. 

It’s also important to realize that pawn shops are not a place to get a few dollars out of your old trashed stuff. Pawnbrokers are trying to offer quality items for their customers and will not want your broken, torn, stained, or nonfunctional castoffs. Vintage doesn’t just mean old, so try and make sure you present your items in the best quality possible by cleaning them off.

Pawn shops consider their customer base when deciding what to buy, based on what sells well in their area. Prices in higher demand will, of course, go for a higher price. This varies from location to location, but items that always tend to go for a higher value include antique Fiestaware, American Girl dolls (quality is key here — dolls in the box garner the highest value), vintage video games, modern electronics like Apple products, depression glass, antique toys, sports memorabilia (autographs increase value), and gold and silver jewelry. So try going through your attic for those old instruments and childhood memorabilia taking up space, or clean out your garage and take power tools you don’t need to your local pawnbroker.

You could attempt to put your items on Craigslist and eBay and hope for the best, spend a lot of time and effort advertising on Depop and Poshmark only to pay for shipping, or drag all of your unwanted items out for a garage sale that will only attract bargain hunters. Instead, you can turn your clutter into immediate cash by taking it over to your local pawn broker, whose job it is to know the value of anything people bring in and give a good deal. Gather up those unwanted items and give them a try! You’ll walk away with a clean house, a clear mind, and a pocketful of cash.