What Happens to the Items When You Sell Jewelry?

In general, there are only three things that happen when you sell your jewelry to a company such as a pawn shop or jewelry store. When you sell jewelry, the items will be melted down, recycled, or resold. It’s that simple. Your jewelry has value for the raw materials that are clearly set by market forces and also for the more ambiguous value of the jewelry itself, something far more localized and opinion driven.

• Melted down

This happens in almost every case if you sell to one of those popup “We Buy Gold” stores. However, jewelry stores and pawn shops also often send scrap gold to a refiner or recycler to be melted down. The gold is separated from other metals using tools like acid kits, electronic testers, and melting point tests. The pure gold is then a liquid asset. It can be sold to investors or to industries that use the gold for business purposes. 

• Recycled

In some cases, jewelry is reduced to its raw materials and then recycled. Recycled gold can have a positive environmental impact. It can help reduce the demand for mining and transportation of valuable materials, which can lower pollution levels. Recycled gems also reduce the demand for environmentally damaging mining. At my store, we recycle unless it’s impossible, retaining the gold and gems for use in our jewelry or for sale to another jeweler.

• Resold

Jewelers and pawn shops may resell jewelry as-is to another company for the melt value of the gold or platinum. We don’t do that. We either recycle or do what we love most of all, reselling the jewelry to customers who will wear it. When you sell your jewelry and it is targeted for resale as part of someone’s vintage and pre-owned inventory, you’ll end up with more money. It’s that simple. The buyer will make more money so the buyer will pay more.

If you need to sell jewelry in San Diego, get in touch. Give us a call or send a message or just drop by our La Jolla showroom. We’re committed to offering you a fair deal, and we’ll treat you right. Get in touch. You’ll be glad you did.

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