The "Before I take it to a Pawn Shop" sale

[PattyCo]

I have several items that I have tried to sell on Diamond Bistro with no luck. This is my last ditch effort before I take them to a Pawn Shop.

Diamond wedding band/stacker
https://diamondbistro.com/category/201/Bands/listings/60980/$450-Diamond-weddingstacker-band.html




Emerald cut diamond in Rose Gold, as seen with the diamond band
https://diamondbistro.com/category/...ced-to-$1,500-GIA-60-Emerald-cut-diamond.html


Big and blingy setting
https://diamondbistro.com/category/246/Semi-Mounts/listings/60982/Blingalicious-Setting.html


The 1.78 diamond that was in the setting
https://diamondbistro.com/category/...Reduced-price-178-Loose-Diamond-to-5,000.html


Antique diamond in a custom Diamond Zone setting
https://diamondbistro.com/category/...s/60978/Antique-Cushion-cut-diamond-ring.html



Thank you for looking,
Warm regards,
Patty Co

 

[PattyCo]

Hi @PattyCo, what are the dimensions on the M/SI2 cushion, I may be interested.

Hi EC8,

It measures 5.51 x 5.30 x 3.77mm. It has a GIA report but I can't find it. Here is the report number, GIA # 6167044377.

 

[Queenie60]

Would you be willing to sell the cushion stone without the setting?

 

[PattyCo]

Would you be willing to sell the cushion stone without the setting?

Yes, though I don't know who to use to unset it since I sent it to Ivy and Rose/Diamond Zone to set it in the setting... Do I go to a Jared's or Kay's type of place?

 

[elizat]

Yes, though I don't know who to use to unset it since I sent it to Ivy and Rose/Diamond Zone to set it in the setting... Do I go to a Jared's or Kay's type of place?

I'd go to a local jeweler. It should be a small charge to remove it. I would not go to a chain like that. They'll just end it out anyway. I would look for a local place with good reviews.

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

i would love that setting but im just not in a position to buy at the moment
good luck selling them
a pawn shop does not sound a good idea

 

[PattyCo]

Thank you for the advice Elizat. I will look one up an go after the holiday. And Daisys and Diamonds, I agree that going to a Pawn Shop is not a good idea. But I need to sell these items. The best thing would be to consign them, and I would LOVE to do that. Right now Love Affair Diamonds isn't accepting consignments and I don't know anyone else who does consignments. And then again the consignment fees could end up eating into what ever money would come back to me. And listing them on Diamond Bistro hasn't been successful. I feel a bit stuck.

 

[elizat]

I noticed that Parks Fine Group has been taking consignment items on their Instagram lately.

Jewels by Grace does as well. However, I asked about consignment of an item a week ago and am still waiting to hear back.

Magpie Vintage in New Orleans, has an Etsy store too, does consignment. However, they take a 40 percent fee.

I think Reverie NYC takes consignment.

They may list some at higher prices than you and have a larger audience. I think the clarity enhanced diamond will be the hardest to move.

 

[the_mother_thing]

Thank you for the advice Elizat. I will look one up an go after the holiday. And Daisys and Diamonds, I agree that going to a Pawn Shop is not a good idea. But I need to sell these items. The best thing would be to consign them, and I would LOVE to do that. Right now Love Affair Diamonds isn't accepting consignments and I don't know anyone else who does consignments. And then again the consignment fees could end up eating into what ever money would come back to me. And listing them on Diamond Bistro hasn't been successful. I feel a bit stuck.

I sincerely hope you aren’t put off by my thoughts here, as I do intend them to be helpful from a potential buyer perspective. I think you need to include more details and - if possible - better pictures; or, adjust your asking prices to reflect the limited information so potential buyers don’t feel it’s too much of a risk. For example, I was looking at the setting you have posted above. It’s really pretty and I have a loose stone that would fit it perfectly; but based on the very limited info provided and pictures, it’s not clear to me why your asking price is $2k. There aren’t any details about the quality of the diamonds, who made the setting, cast or hand forged, etc. to feel like the price posted is reasonable (to me, at least). Of course, a seller is free to ask whatever they want; but IMO, $2K for a pre-loved setting by private sale (vs. via a consignment dealer) isn’t a small price-tag. LAD has gorgeous pre-loved settings in that price range with specs, good photos, designer details, and the items appear to have been cleaned up/polished, diamonds appear clean/clear, etc. Given all that, when I’m considering & comparing your ring - pretty as it is - to other pre-loved settings, the asking price just seems kind of high.

 

[PattyCo]

I sincerely hope you aren’t put off by my thoughts here, as I do intend them to be helpful from a potential buyer perspective. I think you need to include more details and - if possible - better pictures; or, adjust your asking prices to reflect the limited information so potential buyers don’t feel it’s too much of a risk. For example, I was looking at the setting you have posted above. It’s really pretty and I have a loose stone that would fit it perfectly; but based on the very limited info provided and pictures, it’s not clear to me why your asking price is $2k. There aren’t any details about the quality of the diamonds, who made the setting, cast or hand forged, etc. to feel like the price posted is reasonable (to me, at least). Of course, a seller is free to ask whatever they want; but IMO, $2K for a pre-loved setting by private sale (vs. via a consignment dealer) isn’t a small price-tag. LAD has gorgeous pre-loved settings in that price range with specs, good photos, designer details, and the items appear to have been cleaned up/polished, diamonds appear clean/clear, etc. Given all that, when I’m considering & comparing your ring - pretty as it is - to other pre-loved settings, the asking price just seems kind of high.

Thank you for letting me know this so I can improve. I need, and am open to suggestions because this is out of my realm. If my memory is right, the setting was from Robbins Bro or JBR so I don't think it is hand made. I don't know the clarity of the 62 or so diamonds. Do I need to get appraisals for everything? If my pricing is an issue what prices do you suggest? You mentioned polishing, do I do that with a special cloth or does a jeweler have to do that with a special machine? Do they charge for that?

 

[Clunkygirl]

I wish I had more advice but I agree that you would have more success if you clean the jewelry, get really good/detailed photos preferably in different lighting, at different angles, and maybe a couple videos, it might be worth getting a 10x loop on amazon for $10 - $15 on amazon to get the little stuff. When you take them in for polishing, maybe ask how much they would charge to remove the stone and if they are able to estimate the setting's stones' color/clarity. This gives you more info to add to your listing. Pricing is a little high unless there are specs that will help justify this. As you know and everyone is saying, you won't get nearly what they are worth at a pawn shop and probably would do better to sell them directly minus the consignment fee (ie make about the same as you would expect but sell more quickly). Lastly, if it is too much to invest to clean, I would say the setting is the most important and you can always add that you will have them prof polished before sending. I do wish you best of luck!

 

[Clunkygirl]

Oh, and you can do a quick clean at home using a little Dawn, water, and very soft baby toothbrush, it's not as good but it will help for glamor shots.

 

[the_mother_thing]

@PattyCo I think @Clunkygirl gave you some good ideas just now. A good soak in hot water & dawn dish soap and a gentle scrub with a toothbrush will do wonders; be sure to get the underside of the diamonds if you can as well. Then have your hair dryer at the ready to blow dry it. Also, a sunshine polishing cloth is great for an at-home polishing, and they’re relatively inexpensive on Amazon. For pics/video, when I want to get a really up-close picture of a stone/setting, I use a binder clip to attach my loupe to my iPad camera, and take pictures/videos that way.

Then again, if all of that is too much to bother with, I’d just cut the pricing you’re listing for, as even reducing the setting price by at least 50% is still likely far better than you’ll ever get in a pawn shop. They’ll probably just offer you metal scrap or just a smidge over. Take a look at what other settings are listed for on Loupe Troop and DiamondBistro, and compare what they are to what you have; consider the condition, style, etc. and maybe reprice accordingly to make items more attractive.

 

[Bron357]

Hi, the prices a pawnshop will offer will shock you.
They’ll probably offer around $100 for the diamond band, $600 for the ring setting, maybe $1,500 for the diamond (loose diamonds aren’t fast movers in a pawn shop) $400 for the emerald cut diamond ring and $500 for the OEC diamond in the Diamond Zone setting.
Ouch!
Pawnbrokers usually want a 100% mark up.
It’s hard to sell pre loved jewellery unfortunately.
You might also consider eBay (total fees around 15%) or an Auction House (fees around 20% for the seller).
It would be better if you had valuations or full details of the rings.
People like to know carat weight (estimate ok) colour and clarity and gold weight. They also like closer up photos of the item, a photo on “the hand”.
The diamond band needs disclose its total carat weight and you might need to consider offering it for $300.
The ring setting is tricky. It’s a dated style and most buyers of engagement rings want to design their own setting, buy sparkling brand new or pay a pittance. You need to disclose total diamond weight and ring weight in grams. I think you might have more sales luck if you set a coloured gem into it - a sapphire perhaps. That makes it appealing to the much larger “Right Hand Ring / alternate engagement ring ” market.
The diamond. This will be the hardest. It’s a great size but it is Clarity Enhanced. Buyers who are knowledgeable enough to buy from Diamond Bistro / Loupe Troop will avoid Clarity Enhanced diamonds unless it’s bargain basement price. Pending Fiancé’s will not have the confidence, knowledge or inclination to shop for a loose diamond on B than D or Loupe Troop.
The emerald cut diamond ring is very attractive but EC diamonds are harder to sell and most people don’t want a pre loved engagement ring unless it’s a bargain. I think you need to reduce the price to say $950.
The OEC ring is a beauty. The setting isn’t worth much preloved (maybe $200) if you sell it sans diamond as the buyer will need a specific size / shape replacement gem to fit it.
I’d also try selling on Loupe Troop if you haven’t already.
Sending dust for quick sales.