One of the questions we frequently get from customers is, “Can I pawn loose gemstones at a pawn shop.” The answer is almost always yes. In fact, pawn shops love buying gemstones because, unlike other items, gems never lose their value and can actually get more valuable over time.
Continue reading to learn more about how to sell or pawn loose gemstones at a pawn shop.
What kinds of gemstones do pawn shops buy?
There are four main types of precious gemstones—diamonds, rubies, blue sapphires and emeralds—and pawn shops will buy all of them. There are also many semiprecious gemstones out there, and your pawn shop will also gladly buy those; however, you won’t get as much for a semiprecious stone as you would a diamond or ruby.
Reasons pawn shops are your best bet
There are a few other options if you’re looking to sell your gemstones, including selling them online or sometimes selling them to a jeweler, but a pawn shop is always your best bet for the following reasons:
- No shipping: Selling anything online requires a trip to the post office, and you’ll need to pay extra for insurance if you’re shipping a gemstone. When you go directly to a pawn shop, there’s no expensive shipping required.
- No picky buyers: There are plenty of picky buyers out there who aren’t willing to pay what you believe you deserve for your gemstones. Pawnbrokers know the value of your gems and will buy them regardless of their condition.
- Cash on the spot: There’s no waiting around for an online payment to come through when you work with a pawnbroker. They give you cash in minutes for your gems, and they also have plenty of items in the store you can buy with that extra cash.
How to get the most money for your gemstones
So, will pawn shops buy loose gemstones? Yes, but will everyone get an equal amount of money for their gemstones? Not quite. Here are a few things you can do to ensure you get the most for your stones:
- Clean them up: Our first tip is to clean your gems before you bring them in. After all, a pawnbroker is much more likely to pay for clean gems than ones that appear dirty and gross.
- Bring the paperwork: While most pawnbrokers can spot the difference between real and fake gems, they feel much better buying them when the gems have certificates of authenticity. If you don’t have the paperwork for the gems, try finding the receipt so that the pawnbroker knows it isn’t a stolen item.
- Get them appraised: Some pawnbrokers may try to lowball you when you’re selling a gemstone. Do your homework, and have your gems appraised beforehand so you can have an advantage during the buying negotiations.
Sell your gems to us
While all reputable pawn shops will buy loose gemstones, you won’t get the best deal unless you come to Harrison Street Pawn and Gun. We offer the highest possible amount for all of your jewelry or other precious items.