Selling your jewelry: where, how, and at what price depending on the metal

Do you have jewelry that you no longer wear? Before selling it, one question changes everything: what is it made of? A solid gold piece is sold by weight at a jeweler's or gold buying shop. A gold-plated or costume piece is worth almost nothing by the gram: it is better sold second-hand, repaired, or recycled. Here is how to find your way.

Selling your jewelry: what is it worth according to the metal?

Selling a gold piece

A gold piece is valued first by its weight and fineness. The fineness (the purity) is indicated by a hallmark. It can be read with a magnifying glass on the clasp or inside a ring. An 18-carat gold piece, for example, corresponds to 750 thousandths of pure gold.

• Have it weighed and tested before deciding. A professional must detail the weight, fineness, and the final price.
• Compare at least two or three offers: the prices offered vary from one buyer to another.
• Ask for a quote or a written statement and keep it.
• Keep your rights in mind: payment for the purchase of precious metals cannot be made in cash, and you have a 48-hour right of withdrawal after the sale.

Some jewelry is worth more than its weight: a piece signed by a jewelry house, antique, or adorned with beautiful stones can sell better with a jeweler or an auction house. If you have the invoice or a certificate, keep them: they reassure the buyer and can be used for tax purposes.

Good to know: the sale of gold jewelry may be subject to a tax above a certain amount. The rules change, check them on service-public.fr before selling a valuable piece.

Selling your jewelry at a jeweler's

A jeweler is a good first stop for a solid gold or silver piece: the appraisal is immediate, often free, and the payment is quick. Two points to know:

• A jeweler generally offers a price based on the weight of the metal, sometimes with little relation to the creation value of the piece.
• Not all buy back costume or gold-plated jewelry: find out before going.

Selling your silver jewelry

Solid silver (925 fineness, sometimes called sterling silver) is sold, but its value per gram is much lower than that of gold. If your piece is by a designer or in good condition, an online second-hand sale is often more profitable than a buyback by weight. To learn more about this metal, read our article on the different types of silver.

Selling your gold-plated or costume jewelry

A gold-plated piece contains only a thin layer of gold: a gold buyer will offer you practically nothing for it. Its value depends on the brand, the design, and the condition. To sell it well:

• Take clear photos, in natural light, with a close-up of the hallmarks and the clasp.
• Describe the condition honestly (signs of wear, clasp, layer of gold).
• Indicate the brand, the size, and the new price if you know it.
• Publish on a peer-to-peer second-hand sales platform or at a clothing swap.

Where to sell your jewelry?

At a jeweler's or gold buyer

The fastest for solid gold and silver, with an on-site appraisal.

Online

Second-hand platforms are suitable for branded, plated, or costume jewelry. For gold, buyback sites by mail also exist: compare the offers, make sure the shipment is tracked and insured, and read the conditions before shipping.

At an antique shop, clothing swap, or vintage shop

Practical for fashion jewelry and vintage pieces, with direct contact with the buyer.

At an auction house

Reserved for valuable pieces: antique, signed, or rare stone-set jewelry.

How to estimate the value of a piece of jewelry?

• The metal and its fineness: read the hallmark.
• The weight: have it weighed, the scale is the basis of the price for gold and silver.
• The stones: their nature, their size, and their quality.
• The brand or signature: a designer piece sells for more.
• The condition and age: a clean, complete, and unrepaired piece sells better.
• The supporting documents: invoice, certificate, original box.

5 tips to avoid unpleasant surprises

1. Do not sell in a hurry: an offer "valid today only" deserves suspicion.
2. Compare at least two or three buyers.
3. Be present during the weighing and ask for the calculation details.
4. Keep a written receipt of the sale.
5. Sort your jewelry beforehand: valuable pieces on one side, costume jewelry on the other.

What if your piece doesn't sell? Recycling

A broken clasp, a missing stone, an outdated piece: not everything sells. Rather than leaving it in a drawer or throwing it away, you can recycle it. April Please collects your costume jewelry and watches, regardless of the brand and their condition. In exchange, you receive a 15% discount on the e-shop (from €50 purchase). All the steps are on our recycle your jewelry page.

To go further, also read our guides transforming your old jewelry, why recycle your jewelry, and gold recycling.

Frequently asked questions

Where to sell your jewelry for the best price?

For solid gold and silver, compare several jewelers or gold buyers. For branded, plated, or costume jewelry, favor online second-hand sales or a clothing swap.

Can you sell a gold-plated piece?

Yes, but not by weight: the layer of gold is too thin to have a buyback value. It sells like any other second-hand piece, according to the brand and condition.

Can you sell a broken piece of jewelry?

A broken gold or silver piece retains the value of its metal. A broken costume piece can be repaired, or recycled.

Do you need supporting documents to sell a piece of jewelry?

A piece of ID is required by professionals. The invoice or certificate is not always mandatory, but they reassure the buyer and can be used for tax purposes.

Can you be paid in cash?

No, a professional cannot pay in cash for the purchase of precious metals from an individual. Payment is made by crossed check, transfer, or card.