Many people consider pearl jewelry to be a classic, so much so that at one time, a strand of pearls was the most typical everyday item of jewelry for many middle-class American women. Pearls are also a popular present for one’s thirtieth wedding anniversary. Pearls have been making a comeback in recent years as a result of forward-thinking politicians including Kamala Harris, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Katie Porter.
If the value of your antique pearl jewelry exceeds $1,000 and has a brand like Cartier or Tiffany or rare pearls, we recommend Worthy.com, an internet jewelry marketplace that will sell your item to hundreds of purchasers.
How To Value Pearls
When it comes to value, there are a few key aspects to consider: luster, surface quality, form, and size. Pearls can differ significantly in each of these qualities depending on their source, age, and sort of water they were derived from.
Surface Quality: The higher the grade of a pearl, the smoother it’s surface. While cultured pearls frequently have more blemishes than natural pearls, their quality may still differ, resulting in flawless pearls that are worth much more.
Size: The size of a pearl has a significant impact on its value. The majority of cultivated pearls fall between 6 and 7.5 cm in diameter. Pearls that are larger than this will appreciate considerably at price.
Luster: A pearl’s luster is the gleaming, glowing quality that it has when reflecting light. The more evenly spread out each layer of nacre is, the brighter the shine emanating from the pearl will be.
Shape: It is difficult to produce a correctly symmetrical, spherical pearl even with the use of a perfectly sphere-shaped irritant, as demonstrated by cultivated pearls. Pearls are typically round in less than 10% of pearls harvested, resulting in their desirability. Baroque pearls with irregular shapes are also fashionable today.
Origin: Freshwater pearls, like Akoya pearls from a different oyster, can also be produced in white and circular forms. Akoya pearls have a higher luster than freshwater pearls and are thus more valuable. The most valuable pearls are those from the South Sea, including golden, white, and multicolor Tahitian pearls.
Where To Sell Pearls
Pearls can be sold in the same places as other forms of jewelry, such as gold, silver, diamonds, and others. The following are some of the most common purchasers for pearl jewelry:
- Jewelry stores: Jewelry stores near you will either buy loose pearls or pearl jewelry. They’ll consider the value of the component parts (including the pearl, metal, any other stones, and so on) in order to determine how much they can resell the item for, or based on how much they think they may get for it.
- Online marketplaces: If you’re selling pearl jewelry (not loose pearls) and don’t need the cash immediately, try selling your belongings on an internet marketplace like Etsy, Mercari, Poshmark, or others.
- Pawn or consignment shops: Pawn shops, on the other hand, are quick and typically provide you with the most money for your pearl. However, you’ll receive less money for your pearl this way. A consignment shop in your area might be useful, but it will take a long time and require a lot of effort.
- Auctions: A pearl jewelry auction is a fantastic method to get money for your pearls if you have an item that you know is valuable. Auctions are also useful if you’re attempting to liquidate an estate or sell several pieces at once.
How To Sell Pearls
Understand The Value Of Your Pearls
The price of pearls varies considerably depending on such factors as whether they are natural or cultured, how brilliant they are, the size, form, color, and origin. In general, natural pearls that are larger, rounder, and more lustrous will be valued more than smaller, misshapen, and duller ones. The rarer the pearl color, the greater its value is likely to be.
That is why, before you sell your pearls, it’s vital to have an idea of what they’re worth. If you bought the pearl yourself or have a certificate of authenticity with the pearl, this information may be already available to you. If not, an appraisal might be a good idea.
If you think your pearl or pearl jewelry isn’t worth that much, a jewel appraisal might cost anywhere from $50 to $150, so it’s best to skip the evaluation. If you suspect your pearl is costly, an appraisal can assist you in determining the value of your pearl.
Understand What Your Setting Is Made Out Of
If you’re selling loose pearls, you may skip this section. However, if you’re marketing a pearl necklace, ring, bracelet, earrings, brooch, or another piece of pearl jewelry, you should think about the environment in which it will be worn. Is it silver, gold, or aluminum? Is your jewelry made entirely of metal or does it include precious gemstones such as diamonds, sapphires, rubies, etc.?
In certain circumstances, the actual setting may be more valuable than the pearl it contains. In these situations, you might be better off selling your pearls to an online gold, silver, or platinum buyer like CashforGoldUSA rather than taking apart and refinishing them.
Find A Reputable Buyer
After you’ve established a basic value for your pearls, you may start looking for a reputable buyer. Don’t be afraid to get multiple opinions; in particular, if you believe the offer you received was too low.
Is It Worth Selling Pearls?
For several reasons, pearls are more difficult to sell than other precious things. Pearls are an organic material that decays with time, unlike diamonds, gold, and other gemstones and metals, making them less appealing.
You may be better served by selling your pearls to a local pawn shop or having them restrung in a different style — or saving them if they’re tiny or of low quality. Pearls have a long history of being worn as jewelry in India and the Middle East. They may be ideal for a child’s first pieces of jewelry, and they can also be passed down through generations if you don’t like them much yourself.
The gold clasp or beads on the pearl necklace may sell for a higher price than the pearls themselves in certain situations. A local jeweler, cash for gold, or an online gold buyer are all viable options in these circumstances.
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Thomas Boseman is the author of Pawnbroking.com. A pawn shop owner by day, blog writer by night. When not writing, he enjoys exploring the outdoors with his dog, Roman. Thomas received his bachelor of arts in film from the University of Arizona. A Brooklyn native, Thomas is a lover of filmmaking, motorcycle, and coffee.
