Do you possess a shiny watch or a gold necklace you haven’t worn in years?
Perhaps you came across some rings or bracelets while cleaning the attic or basement.
Or maybe you inherited some fine Jewelry.
Regardless, it’s important to know where to sell jewelry to get some quick cash (and free up some space in your home).
You see, jewelry — particularly of the gold and silver variety — is a hot commodity.
As of late, the global jewelry market is valued at $340 billion, and some of the biggest spenders are high-income earners between the ages of 45 and 54.
I’ll show you where you can earn money selling jewelry locally and online.
And I won’t just focus on metal jewelry; I’ll also tell you where you can sell craft jewelry made of materials like twine and beads.
Read on to learn where to sell your wares in your town/city and on the Net.
Table of Contents
Where to Sell Jewelry Near Me
Use these places/platforms to find local buyers who buy jewelry and pay good money for it.
1. Garage Sale
Selling jewelry (or anything else, for that matter) at a garage sale is a great way to earn money and declutter your home.
That said, this method requires time and money since you need to create flyers or post ads in newspapers to attract potential customers. (You might not mind this too much since sometimes one needs to spend money to make money when it comes to advertising.)
2. Jewelry Store
Many local jewelry stores are eager to buy trinkets you don’t want anymore.
To locate a store in your town, type “jewelry store [city, state]” or “jewelry stores near me” into your preferred search engine and browse the sites that interest you.
3. Pawn Shop
A pawn shop typically isn’t the ideal place to sell jewelry and other stuff because it pays a small fraction of an item’s worth.
But if you’re desperate to get rid of a piece of jewelry, this is the ideal route. (I once sold my class ring to a pawn shop for five dollars; though it wasn’t much, it did help me out a bit.)
Plus, you can use it as collateral when applying for a loan.
4. Friend/Family Member
Have a relative or friend who’s been eyeing your jewelry lately?
You can meet up at their home, or they can meet you at yours to pay you in cash or with a check.
If unable to meet in person, your friend or family member could pay you via PayPal, Cash App, or Venmo.
5. NextDoor
If you enjoy socializing, NextDoor is the platform for you!
You use the site to advertise your rings, watches, and other accessories and even share news about local happenings and hobnob with other members.
6. Craigslist
The good thing about Craigslist is that you can post job ads, resumes, and ads about any jewelry you want to sell.
This platform lets you post free or paid ads depending on the city or category you’re advertising in.
And when you’re bored, Craigslist has discussion forums dedicated to many topics you can discuss with other members. (You could even ask for tips on any good selling practices.)
7. Gold/Silver Exchange Company
Like pawn shops, gold/silver exchange companies purchase items — like jewelry, coins, and silverware — to resell to prospective buyers.
Best of all, they’ll even buy broken baubles as long as they contain real gold or silver.
8. Your Own Craft Business- On/Offline
Prefer selling craft jewelry?
What’s great about this option is that it allows you to apply your own creative touches.
For example, you could make necklaces and bracelets with glass beads and thread or construct earrings by screwing/gluing metal pieces together.
Also, you could either rent a commercial building to operate a brick-and-mortar craft jewelry shop, run the business online, or even combine both methods to attract local, national, and international customers.
9. Circa Jewels
Circa Jewels has 17 store locations in the U.S., two in Europe, and one in Hong Kong.
It buys jewelry, watches, and diamonds.
If you live near a Circa Jewels store, bring photos and any certificates or documents so that an employee can verify and accurately price your item.
When you receive a quote, choose a bank transfer, gift card, or check as payment.
10. American Gem Society
American Gem Society (AGS) is an association whose goal is to ensure the quality and ethics of the jewelry industry.
Many jewelry stores in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico have certification from this organization, and you can locate an AGS-certified shop in your city (or closest to your city) through its store search tool.
Where to Sell Jewelry Online
Check out these sites if you prefer to target a wider client base or sell quickly from the comfort of your home.
11. Cash for Gold USA
Cash for Gold USA buys gold, diamonds, and silver from patrons all over the U.S.
Here’s how the whole process works:
- First, you fill out the Free Appraisal Request form to ship your items via FedEx or USPS.
- Next, wait about 24 hours to receive a quote from a jewelry expert.
- Should you accept their offer, you’ll get paid through PayPal or by check.
12. Ruby Lane
Have antique or vintage jewelry?
Set up shop by creating a Ruby Lane account!
But before you do, there are some rules you need to follow, including:
- Your items must be of high quality (no duplicates or counterfeits).
- You need to accept payments via a PayPal business account.
- Your shop must possess 10+ items at all times.
(Read more about the rules here.)
Just to let you know, Ruby Lane charges a 9.9-percent service fee on each item you sell in addition to a monthly fee.
However, you won’t be charged unless you make a sale, and you can bypass the monthly fee by adding at least 15 items to your shop per month.
13. Kay Jewelers – Gold Exchange Program
Kay Jewelers offers a gold exchange program that pays you for any used platinum or gold jewelry you donate.
It accepts pieces like scraps, nuggets, and flakes but not objects like coins, bars, or metals that aren’t gold or platinum.
To begin, register through the hyperlink above, ship your item via UPS, and wait for the appraisal to be completed. (You can even watch the appraisal process in a video Kay Jewelers emails you.)
Afterward, you’ll get an offer via email, and you can accept a Kay gift card or a check payment.
14. 1stDibs
1stDibs is an online marketplace where people from over 50 countries can sell art, fashion, furniture, and jewelry.
Nonetheless, it has a somewhat rigorous vetting process for prospective sellers.
You’ll need to fill out the application I hyperlinked above. (1stDibs accepts submissions from individual and professional sellers.)
You also must provide at least two references who can vouch for your experience and integrity.
Once you’re approved, you’ll have to pay a monthly fee, which varies depending on the membership plan you sign up for, and be charged a percentage per item you sell, which also varies.
Payment methods include PayPal, Apple Pay, credit/debit cards, Klarna, wire transfers, and ACH bank accounts.
15. Worthy
If you own diamond jewelry, loose diamonds, or luxury watches, join Worthy!
Worthy specializes in online diamond jewelry options.
The selling process takes approximately 10 to 14 days, but if you’re willing to wait that long, here’s how everything goes:
- You complete and submit the hyperlinked seller form, then ship your item via FedEx.
- Once received, a gemologist will clean, photograph, and grade your piece.
- Then, Worthy will advertise your item to 1,000+ buyers through its online auction.
- After it sells, you get paid via check, bank transfer, or PayPal. (PayPal can’t be used for transactions that exceed $5,000.)
16. Etsy
Remember the craft store idea I mentioned earlier?
Etsy is an excellent alternative if you want to run your craft jewelry business online without the hassle of creating your own website or renting a building.
It’s a bit pricey since it includes a listing fee ($0.20 per item), a 6.5-percent payment processing fee, transaction fees, and advertising fees for offsite ads. (However, you only pay for the latter three once you make a sale.)
Payment options include Google Wallet, PayPal, Payoneer, Etsy gift cards, Apple Pay, and debit/credit cards.
17. Sotheby’s
Sotheby’s has quite a track record because it’s been in business since 1744!
It’s involved in the jewelry, art, design, and even real estate industries.
There are four ways to sell through Sotheby’s: auctions, private sales, e-commerce, and retail.
To commence the sales process, send photos, documents, and other information through the submission link, and a representative will get back to you to help you choose the best option for selling your jewelry.
Payment options include ACH, wire transfer, China Union Pay, and debit/credit card.
18. TheRealReal
TheRealReal lives up to its name because it’s dedicated to selling only authentic products on its luxury consignment site.
Begin by entering your name, phone number, and other important information about you and the item(s) you want to sell.
Send your item with these options:
- Free Direct Shipping by UPS
- At-home pick-up (if you have 10+ items)
- In-person
- Lockbox (for NYC residents)
- Curbside pick-up
Once they receive your item, a TheRealReal staff member will examine your jewelry to ensure it meets quality standards.
Then, they’ll take pictures of your item(s) and write product descriptions to prepare for selling on the website. (If your jewelry is priced at $995 or more, theRealReal will send you a price review to approve it before advertising your piece(s).)
After someone buys your jewelry, you can choose to be paid via direct deposit, check, or site credit. (Site credit gives you a five-percent extra commission!)
TheRealReal issues payments on the 15th of each month following when your item’s sold, e.g., if a customer buys your item in November, you’ll receive your commission on December 15.
19. Lang Antiques
Have vintage or other kinds of jewelry?
Visit Lang Antiques’ website!
Lang Antiques will purchase the following:
- Diamond rings (emphasis on antique rings from the mid-20th century, Art Deco, Edwardian, and Victorian periods)
- Old cut diamonds
- Signed jewelry
- Gemstone rings
Snap photos of your piece(s) and email the images to jewelrybuyer@langantiques.com. (Send contact information and any certificates, too.)
You can also mail your jewelry via USPS.
There are two ways to sell your jewelry: direct sale and consignment.
Direct sales involve signing a document (and Lang Antiques notarizing it) after accepting a quote, whereas consignment takes a little longer (at least 120 days) and guarantees a higher payout.
Payment options include bank ACH transfer and check.
Selling Jewelry FAQ
Read these commonly asked questions to get answers about selling jewelry and to ensure you can sell your jewelry without getting ripped off.
What’s an appraisal, and do I need one?
An appraisal is a professional estimate of a piece of jewelry’s monetary value.
Some places offer it for free while others charge them.
You’re not required to get a jewelry appraisal; however, it’s highly recommended you do so to determine its value or for insurance purposes.
Can I get money for selling costume jewelry?
Since costume jewelry pieces are made from base metals like copper and stainless steel, most jewelry stores and pawn shops won’t purchase them.
But that doesn’t mean you can’t make money from costume jewelry.
As long as there’s a market for it — and there is — you can profit from selling costume pendants, necklaces, earrings, and other similar trinkets.
After all, imitation jewelry pairs well with certain outfits, and it makes for a great last-minute gift.
Which is worth more: gold or silver? And why?
Though both are precious metals, gold is worth more than silver.
That’s because gold is much rarer than silver, plus its lustrous appearance appeals to many people.
This is why my class ring only sold for five dollars at the pawnshop I visited; it was a silver ring.
I heard gold class rings are worth $15+ at pawn shops.
Is it safe to sell jewelry on the Internet?
It’s perfectly safe to sell jewelry (and many other things) online.
With that said, make sure a jewelry business is accredited and has a good reputation.
You can scrutinize them by reading reviews and checking to see if they possess accreditations from organizations like the American Gem Society.
How much can I get for my jewelry?
The amount of money you may get for your jewelry is based on various factors like metal, condition, age, etc.
In other words, you could get as little as a few bucks as I got with my class ring, or several thousand dollars if it’s really valuable.
Where’s the best place to sell jewelry?
That depends on your preferences.
If you want to focus on selling to locals, choose platforms like Craigslist and NextDoor or use the garage sale route.
If you wish to sell nationwide or worldwide, set up an Etsy shop or mail your jewelry to a company like Worthy to get an offer.
Gemstone to Green: Make Money Selling Your Jewelry!
Any jewelry you might own could be worth more than you expect.
Whether it’s a family heirloom, a class ring, or a watch, consider selling it for extra money.
You could even construct craft jewelry and market them online or in person.
Whatever you choose, you have this list of places at your disposal so you’ll know where to sell jewelry as a side hustle or a full-time business.
