Circumstances change, and trends come and go. The longer you have your diamond jewelry, the more likely you will decide it’s no longer serving its purpose or bringing you joy. No matter why you choose to sell your jewelry or loose diamonds, navigating the selling process can feel overwhelming. One question you may have is whether you can sell your diamonds without a certificate. The good news is that selling your diamond piece without a grading report is possible, although it’s not the ideal option. To help you understand the importance of diamond grading reports, we explain what’s included in these certificates and your options for selling items without them. (more…)

Numismatists understand that they are not simply paying hundreds of thousands of dollars (or even millions of dollars!) for a piece of metal. Instead, they are buying and investing in a piece of history. If you’re interested in building your own coin collection, you may be curious to know which coins hold the most value. While it’s not likely you will have one of these rare coins hiding in your dresser drawer or attic, it’s still fascinating to learn about the rarest and most valuable coins in the world. These coins earned their value for several reasons — from controversial minting to marketing stunts — but their true worth lies in their rich histories. Here’s everything you need to know about the seven rarest coins. (more…)

While jewelers love closing sales with the saying, “diamonds are forever,” this is not always true. If you’re in a position where you need (or want) to sell your diamond jewelry, know that you’re not alone. The experts at The Jewelers & Loan Co. are here to help you navigate the overwhelming (and sometimes confusing) process of selling diamond rings, necklaces, bracelets, and earrings. Here are our top tips for selling diamond engagement rings and other pieces of jewelry. (more…)

Whether you’re interested in buying collectibles or have a handful of jewelry pieces you would like to sell, it’s important to know what materials these items are made of. It’s not enough to simply know they’re “silver” pieces. You need to know what type of silver. This information could make or break your sale (meaning you could lose money if your item is incorrectly categorized). Before you start adding to your collection or selling your inherited jewelry, read this guide to learn about the main differences between sterling silver and fine silver. (more…)

Whether you’ve been building your collection for some time or just recently inherited old coins from a relative, you may wonder how to clean the dirt and grime from the coins without ruining them. Before you grab dish soap, vinegar, or coca-cola, find out why it may be better to leave your coins environmentally damaged. Otherwise, you could potentially scrub away thousands of dollars! (more…)

Often, when people ask, “How much is my gold jewelry worth?” they wonder how much they can get from selling their inherited, antique, or fine pieces. However, in their quest to find this particular price, they are met with a range of values and left feeling more confused than ever. (more…)

With the holidays right around the corner, you may be purging your home of all your unwanted possessions to make room for the gifts you will receive and the items you purchase for the New Year. Before you know it, that pile of unwanted items has become a mountain in front of your door. Now, you need to decide what to do with these things. Do you take them to a pawn shop or a consignment store? Is there really a difference between these two shops? Yes, there is, and their differences could change your mind about which place you take your unwanted belongings. (more…)

When you need quick cash, pawning items you no longer use can be a great way to pad your pockets. But if you’re navigating the pawning process for the first time, it can feel intimidating. Fortunately, other people have been exactly where you are today — and they’ve made all the mistakes, so you don’t have to! Here are the top mistakes people make when pawning and how you can avoid them. (more…)

Whether you’re getting ready to shop for wedding bands or working to build out your gold coin collection, you may be curious to know about the different gold options available. You may be surprised to learn that it’s not just a matter of choosing “gold vs. rose gold” or selecting your preference in terms of karats. Here, we provide an overview of the different types of gold, including the array of karats, colors, and plating options at your fingertips.

It’s All About the Karat

While shopping for gold jewelry, you likely heard terms such as “18 karat gold” or “14k gold ring.” These terms describe the purity of the mineral. When a piece of jewelry or collector’s item is described as “24 karats,” the gold is in its purest form. Most gold is mixed with other metals (alloyed) to fashion the item you’re interested in now. This is done to give the gold strength, create different colors, and reduce the gold price to a more reasonable range.

You can shop for gold pieces in the following karatages:

• 24 Karat: As we mentioned earlier, 24k gold is gold in its purest form (at 99.9% pure). You can identify this type of gold by its shiny and yellow appearance. It’s extremely expensive but is highly resistant to tarnish and corrosion and is gentle on the skin. Unfortunately, it’s very soft and malleable and, therefore, not well-suited for many types of jewelry.
• 18 Karat: Items marked as “18k” consist of 75% pure gold and 25% other precious metals, such as copper and zinc. This type of gold isn’t as shiny as 24k gold, but it’s much stronger.
• 14 Karat: 14k gold is made up of 58.3% pure gold and 41.7% other metals and is the most popular option for gold used in jewelry.
• 10 Karat: 10k gold only has 41.7% gold, meaning it has a rather dull appearance. This type of gold is not an ideal option for special occasion jewelry, such as engagement rings, because the appearance is low-quality and often causes skin irritation (due to a higher nickel content).

Color Me Pretty: Types of Gold Colors

In addition to its karatage, gold is often defined by its color. The color varies based on the types and quantities of alloys mixed into it. Most people consider the color of gold when they are buying jewelry because the color adds to its visual appeal and can either highlight or clash with the wearer’s skin tone.

The most popular colors of gold include:

• Yellow Gold: Gold is naturally yellow, so it makes sense that gold pieces with a high karatage are described as yellow. You will find that even when pure gold is mixed with copper, silver, and zinc, the gold item will still have a yellowish appearance. However, the color will not be as bright as if the gold were pure.
• White Gold: When gold is mixed with zinc, nickel, platinum, or palladium in the right amounts, white gold is created. The color of this type of gold is similar to silver or platinum. White gold jewelry is rising in popularity because it is more durable and resistant to scratches than yellow gold.
• Rose Gold: Even more popular than yellow or white gold, rose gold contains 25% copper and sports a stylish pink or red hue. In addition to its color, rose gold’s copper content is responsible for the gold’s durability and affordability.
• Green Gold: Not quite as common as yellow, white, or rose gold, green gold has made a name for itself in various industries. It contains a healthy amount of silver to create that green tint it’s known for.

As you research different types of gold, you’ll read about other colors of gold, including purple gold, blue gold, and even black gold. However, these types are often brittle, rare, or too malleable and are not well-suited for jewelry.

The Finer Details: Gold Plating Options

We can’t discuss the different types of gold without mentioning the variety of plating styles you may encounter when shopping for gold jewelry. The style used on a particular piece of jewelry will vary based on the gold content and the method used to create the item. Popular types of gold plating include:

• Gold Leaf: This plating option is used when the item is largely made of other metals. The gold is hammered into a thin layer and then wrapped around the piece of metal.
• Gold-Toned: Jewelry described as “gold-toned” are pieces made with little to no gold and simply designed to look like real gold.
• Gold-Plated: Gold-plated items are made with a base metal that is not gold and covered in a gold coating through electroplating. The gold coating must be seven-millionths of an inch thick and be of at least 10k gold quality.
• Gold-Filled: Despite its name, this type of jewelry is not filled with gold. Instead, it is made of brass or copper and covered in sheets of gold.

Want to Buy Gold Jewelry? Have Gold to Sell? We Can Offer a Great Deal!

Now that you know more about the different types of gold, you’re likely jumping at the chance to expand your collection by purchasing items from our expert gold coin buyers or bringing in the cash by selling your gold jewelry. Whether you’re interested in buying or selling, you can trust The Jewelers & Loan Co. to provide incredible deals and a pain-free shopping experience. Stop by our pawn shop to learn more or get an idea of how much you can get for your gold items using our gold calculator.

That designer handbag you’ve been drooling over and photoshopping into all your photos since you were a teenager is the ultimate symbol of accomplishment. When you were younger, you told yourself you’d buy that Louis Vuitton or Gucci purse once you reached your financial goals. Whether you’ve hit that mark or you simply want to boost your confidence and dress for success, you could benefit from buying designer items at a pawn shop. Why? Well, places that buy designer bags can turn around and sell luxury items at a fraction of the price, so you can save money but still have that elegant piece of refinement hanging off your arm. (more…)