Selling Diamond Jewelry

Although they say diamonds are forever, manyyour diamond. In most cases the jeweler will then
people will discover that they might want to getoffer you dump value in return for your jewelry
rid of their diamond jewelry for one reason oritem. Dump value is a phrase used in the diamond
another. It might be an old engagement ring fromindustry to describe the lowest possible value one
a marriage gone bad, or even a diamond braceletshould sell his diamond for, and it ranges between
given as a gift from an ex-boyfriend. Either way,60 to 80 percent of the Rapaport value, which is
selling your diamond jewelry could be a bit trickierindicated in your appraisal. Although this may
than it seems and there are important things toseem quite unfair, it is actually very reasonable.
keep in mind while doing so. The following are theHowever, if the jeweler were to offer you a
basic steps necessary to sell a piece of unwantedprice lower than the dump value in exchange for
jewelry in the most advantageous, efficient andyour jewelry item, then there's no deal. There is
convenient way.simply no point in settling for a price lower than
The first step is to get your diamond jewelrydump value knowing that there are other jewelry
properly appraised, which is essential in order tostores who would be willing to purchase your
get valid documentation of its authenticity. Afterdiamond jewelry for that price. The method of
all, virtually no potential buyer would agree to buyturning to auction houses is only recommended
your diamond jewelry unless it is appropriatelyfor those who happen to be the owners of a high
appraised and valued. There is a wide range ofend piece of diamond jewelry. It is suggested to
appraisers to choose from, but it is best adviseddeal with only the most prestigious and popular
to check their affiliations in advance. A goodauction houses in this case. Christie's and
indication of the appraiser's credibility would be toSotheby's auction houses are exclusive favorites,
check if they belong to the International Societyand they both have branches spread worldwide. If
of Appraisers, the Appraisers Association ofyou decide to try your luck, you will need you to
America or the American Society of Appraisers,provide the auction house with the lowest value
which are the three main establishments in theyou are willing to accept in return for your
field.diamond. This will actually be the starting point for
The appraisal office of your choice would be ablethe bid. Most jewelers will advise to give the
to provide you with a formal statement of thedump value as a reasonable starting point, but it's
diamond's value and characteristics which includereally up to you to decide. Keep in mind that the
carat, clarity, cut and color. But most importantly,outcome of the bid depends mostly on pure luck,
upon request they will also note the estimatedso you must consider if it's a chance worth taking.
monetary value of your diamond, a figure which isIt is advised to refrain from using pawn shops,
also known as the Rapaport value. This value is anconsignment and classifieds as a mean of selling
indication of the wholesale price your diamondyour diamond jewelry. By selling your diamond
could sell for, not to be confused with the muchjewelry to pawn shops, you could expect to
higher retail price it could sell for in stores. Inreceive absolute peanuts in exchange for your
addition, the wholesale figure indicated on yourdiamond jewelry. Their main objective is to buy
report is only the maximum amount you couldcheap from you and then quickly resell it to the
expect to get, because in reality your diamondnext customer. Most pawn shops would offer an
could sell for much less than wholesale. Although itextremely low 10% of the Rapaport value in
is somewhat frustrating knowing that the sameexchange for your diamond jewelry. Leaving your
exact diamond could be sold in a jewelry storejewelry on consignment is based on the idea of
for a much higher retail price, it's only natural. Theletting a jewelry store sell the diamond jewelry on
fact that your jewelry is not sold in a properyour behalf. The proceeds are then split between
jewelry store and you are not a professionalthe two parties, as thoroughly agreed beforehand.
vendor means that the person buying from you isThis method could appeal to many people
merely looking for a good deal.because it seems to save the hassle of actually
The second step is to actually look for potentiallooking for a buyer. Furthermore, people would
buyers. This is by far the most difficult part whenprobably think that due to the large flow of
it comes to selling diamond jewelry, and in ordercustomers entering the jewelry store, your item
to do so you must have plenty of patience andwould be likely to sell faster.
determination. There are numerous methods byHowever, as luring as these advantages seem to
which you could find potential buyers, yet somebe, you should always avoid leaving your diamond
are much more recommended than others. Youjewelry on consignment with strangers. Just think
should keep in mind that prices offered in returnof how easily they could replace your diamond
for your diamond jewelry could heavily fluctuatewith a poorer one, or worse yet switch the
from one potential buyer to the next, and thus itdiamond to a fake or synthetic diamond instead.
is very important to know which methods areYou wouldn't even be able to spot the difference.
more recommended than others. It isAfter telling you that they were not able to sell
recommended to sell your diamond jewelry to anyour jewelry, you will actually be left with nothing
acquaintance, to a jewelry store or even inbut grief when you realize you've been scammed.
auction houses. Indeed, every jeweler in theTherefore, it is best to avoid this type of method
industry will agree that the best person toaltogether and not take the risk at all. Posting
privately sell your diamond jewelry to wouldyour jewelry in classifieds might seem like a good
definitely be an acquaintance. It could be yoursale approach on paper, but as a matter of fact it
friend, someone from your family or even ahas proved to have only an 11 percent success
co-worker. Your acquaintances will be much morerate. Therefore, in most cases it's a complete
likely to pay the full asking price simply becausewaste of time and money. Furthermore, posting
they trust you and know you do not intend toyour personal information out in public could even
scam them. Keep in mind that you have a distinctput you at risk as it could lure potential thieves to
advantage over jewelry stores in this case,your doorstep. Setting up appointments with
because after all you offer wholesale price aspotential buyers and finding yourself bailed out
opposed to retail price. It is stronglytime and time again could be extremely
recommended to find out whether anfrustrating and time consuming. That's why
acquaintance of yours could actually be a potentialclassifieds are not the best method to choose.
buyer before moving on and considering the nextTurning your unwanted diamond jewelry into cold
options. Jewelry stores could actually prove to becash is not that simple after all. It is advised to be
good potential buyers. However, you must bewell-informed of the various methods available to
extra cautions and use your common sense whiledo so and know exactly which potential buyers
doing so. For example, when you enter theshould be avoided. You, as a consumer and seller,
jewelry store, never let your jewelry out of sight.must be educated about your diamond and do
It is pretty common to hear about diamonds thatyour homework beforehand. By doing so you
are switched for poorer quality ones behind thecould dramatically reduce the chances of getting
sellers back, so watch out.an unreasonable value in return for your diamond
It is recommended to show the diamond appraisaljewelry. If you are patient and have good
certificate as soon as you enter the jewelrynegotiation skills, selling your diamond could prove
store, in order to show them that you meanto be a wonderful way to turn unwanted diamond
business and that you are well educated aboutjewelry into ready cash.