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Deal in Garage Sale Jewelry for Cash

Posted on May 12th, 2023 by Joe G

Earn Cash Buying and Selling Garage Sale Jewelry

If you’re in need of some extra cash, you might be surprised to learn that you could make a decent amount of money by buying jewelry at garage sales and purchasing estate sale jewelry lots. You can profit by selling the gold and diamond pieces to a reputable dealer in Chicago. While it may seem like a daunting task, with a little bit of knowledge and research, you can easily turn a profit.

Learning to Recognize Quality Pieces

One of the first things you’ll need to do is learn how to identify gold and diamond jewelry. Gold is typically marked with a karat stamp, which indicates the percentage of pure gold in the piece. 24 karat gold is pure gold, while 18 karat gold is 75% gold, and 14 karat gold is 58% gold. 

Silver, which is also resalable, is often labeled as Sterling, which usually contains 92.5% silver. Genuine diamonds and other precious stones are difficult to identify, but if it is set in a quality setting, the gem may be genuine. 

Once you’ve identified several pieces you think you want to sell, purchase a gold testing kit for just a few dollars. These kits typically come with a small file and a bottle of acid. 

Simply file away a small amount of the jewelry and apply a drop of acid to the filing. If the acid dissolves the filing, the piece is not gold. If the filing remains intact, the piece is likely gold. There are kits available to test for silver and platinum as well. 

Alternatively, you can take your chances with a few inexpensive pieces that look like the real deal. Then, bring the pieces to a reputable dealer in Chicago for assessment by an experienced appraiser. They will be able to tell you the exact value of your pieces and offer you a fair price.

Selling to a Reputable Dealer

When it comes to selling your pieces, it’s important to find a reputable dealer who has a history of buying gold and offering fair prices. To ensure you start off on the right track, make sure you don’t pay too much for garage sale jewelry until you learn how to identify more valuable pieces. 

Additionally, consider buying broken gold jewelry and scrap gold that is often priced under a dollar. Once you begin to build up a little cash, consider purchasing estate sale jewelry lots in upscale neighborhoods. 

Additionally, be prepared to negotiate. While you may not be able to get the full value of the piece, you should be able to get a fair price.

Tips to Get You Started

It’s also worth noting that while gold and diamond pieces are often the most valuable, don’t overlook sterling silver and other types of jewelry. Antique and vintage pieces can be worth a significant amount of money, as can designer pieces. Once you become more familiar with finding hidden treasure at estate and yard sales, you might consider picking up other items. Keep an eye out for items like gold and silver coins or unique collectibles you can sell for cash. 

Finally, be sure to document your purchases and sales. Keep track of where you bought each piece and how much you paid for it. Similarly, keep track of the prices you receive when selling the pieces. This will help you identify which types of pieces are the most profitable. It will also allow you to make informed purchasing decisions in the future.

In conclusion, buying jewelry at garage sales and estate sales and selling the gold, silver, and diamond pieces to a reputable dealer in Chicago can be a great way to make some extra cash. With a little bit of knowledge and research, you can easily identify valuable pieces and sell them for a profit. Just be sure to do your research and work with reputable dealers. Thus, ensuring you’re getting the best possible price for your pieces.

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#CASHFORGOLD

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Customer Testimonial

Had a Great Experience

I have dealt in coins and metals since the 80s. Had dealings with many dealers. Got scammed by a few. Chicago Gold is the only one I would recommend to my family or friends. Have your valuables appraised by them before you sell.


Date: 05/12/2022 • 5 / 5 stars ★★★★★

Awesome place!

What a super knowledgeable gemologist. After all that experience also they are soooo willing to help and answer all the questions I had. Excellent experience. They went above and beyond for me. Highly recommended. Super trustworthy.


Date: 01/20/2022 • 5 / 5 stars ★★★★★

I'll be back

Cashed in some silver coins and received a very fair exchange. Joe and Chris, were very friendly, and comfortable to deal with. Came back with some jewelry, and received a rough appraisal...again no pressure.


Date: 10/17/2023 • 5 / 5 stars ★★★★★

I would do business with them again

Good people who are honest, open and friendly. I'm glad I found them and not too far from my area.


Date: 01/02/2024 • 5 / 5 stars ★★★★★

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