Buy or Sell Broken Jewelry

If you find yourself with an unfixable piece of jewelry, or jewelry you don't care much for, you may consider selling your damaged jewelry to help offset the cost of new purchases. Damaged jewelry won't fetch the same price as intact items, but you'll still want to get a fair price. Here are some things to consider:

What's it worth? Before you look to sell your broken jewelry, find out what it's worth. Appraisal by a member of the American Society of Appraisers, International Society of Appraisers, or the National Association of Jewelry Appraisers can let you know what your piece is worth, and whether you should sell it for scrap or as-is. Even damaged jewelry may be worth the price of restoration if it is an antique or estate piece in a timeless style. Even newer, high-quality pieces may be worth restoring to buyers who might not otherwise be able to afford to own a similar new piece.

How much of your time is it worth? The quickest sales will frequently be the least profitable, so you need to decide if you want to hold out for the best price, or if you want the best price your piece can fetch in the shortest period.

Where to Buy and Sell Broken Jewelry

Pawnbrokers - If your jewelry is damaged, but worth the cost of restoration, a pawnbroker may be a good option for quick payment. Remember that you'll be negotiating for the best deal for both parties, so you'll need to concede somewhat on the price since your sale also transfers the responsibility of repairing and reselling your item.

Jewelers - Your jeweler may be willing to offer credit against your new purchase in exchange for your damaged jewelry. If you plan to purchase a new piece of jewelry to replace your damaged piece, ask if this is something they offer or would consider.

Scrap dealers - There is no shortage of companies advertising high payments for scrap jewelry. While some of these companies have a reputation for offering consistently fair payouts, the price you can expect to receive varies wildly by the buyer you choose. Do your homework before you go, check the reputation and experiences of past clients through the Better Business Bureau and user-driven review sites such as yelp , and make sure you know what your jewelry is worth before you take this approach.