How to Care for Antique Jewelry Before Selling Your Luxury Items

If you’ve collected antique jewelry throughout your life or you’ve recently inherited a few estate jewelry pieces, you may be considering selling these luxury items to earn some extra money. Before you list your antique jewelry for sale, however, it’s essential that you take the time to properly care for them.

Properly caring for your antique jewelry is crucial for protecting its value and ensuring you get the best possible price when selling your jewelry. Here are a few steps you can take to care for your estate jewelry and maximize its value.

Regularly Clean Your Antique Jewelry

One of the most important steps in taking care of your antique or estate jewelry is to regularly clean it. Even if your antique pieces may appear to be in great condition, they can dull or begin to tarnish over time if they aren’t cleaned on a regular basis.

To clean your jewelry, use a gentle soap and water solution and carefully rub the jewelry with a soft cloth. You can also use a soft-bristled baby toothbrush dipped in the soap solution to get into any nooks and crannies. However, always use a new toothbrush, not a used one, as any leftover toothpaste can scratch your luxury items. Make sure to clean the sides and back of the jewelry as well as the front of it since dust and debris can accumulate in those areas as well.

A polishing cloth is also beneficial for removing any dirt, fingerprints, or grime from your antique piece regularly. Polishing cloths are best for sterling silver as well as pearl or other strung necklaces.

Store Your Antique Jewelry Properly

Proper storage is also important for preserving your estate jewelry once it’s been cleaned. It’s understandable if you typically clean your antique jewelry in a jewelry box or drawer. However, this isn’t the best place for your antique values, as they can jostle against one another and potentially become scratched or damaged.

Instead, keep your antique jewelry in individual compartments to keep them safe. If you don’t have individual drawers or boxes, storing them inside individual dust bags can also help prevent scratches in your jewelry box.

It’s also important that wherever you store them is a location with low humidity and no direct sunlight. Heat, sunlight and humidity can all warp antique jewelry and cause them to degrade more quickly, so keeping them in a cool, dark place such as a closet or cupboard will help keep them looking their best for as long as possible.

Visit a Jewelry Repair Professional

If your antique jewelry has loose stones, deeply wedged dirt, scratches, dings or any other issues, it’s always best to take it to a jewelry repair professional. Attempting to rectify these issues through DIY solutions often leave jewelry in worse condition than before, and any amateur repairs will be noticed during an appraisal when you decide to sell your luxury goods.

Research the best places to sell gold jewelry near you, and make sure that they have a good reputation in jewelry repair and cleaning. While there are steps you can take at home to preserve and clean your jewelry, there’s no substitute for a thorough cleaning, polishing, or repair job from a trustworthy jewelry repair professional.

At Watch & Wares, our team of trained professionals has been performing watch, estate jewelry, and handbag repair services for decades. We understand luxury, and we always strive to provide the best service in the Orange, CA, area. Our master jeweler has over 40 years of industry experience and is the jeweler that other local jewelers go to for answers. 

We’re also known as the best place to sell luxury items in Orange County. Since 1992, we’ve been the premier source for estate jewelry buying, selling and collateral loans. We’re confident you won’t find anyone better to restore your luxury goods, especially at our competitive price point. To receive a free estimate on one of our luxury repair services, give us a call at 714-633-2030 or contact us via our online form today.

Ask the Experts: When Is the Best Time To Sell Gold Jewelry?

If you’ve inherited estate jewelry from a loved one or have unused pieces in your collection, you may be battling whether to hold onto them for sentimentality or sell them for extra cash. You may want to hold onto your gold jewelry for your child to have someday, or you may feel uneasy getting rid of something gifted to you, even if it isn’t your style. 

Customers visit us at Watch & Wares every day to sell jewelry, each with their own story of why they decided now was the right time to sell their gold jewelry pieces. If you have gold antique or estate jewelry in your collection that you’re considering parting with, here is a guide to help you decide the best time to sell your gold jewelry for cash.

When the Spot Price is High

If you’re considering selling gold jewelry, you’ll need to be familiar with the spot price for gold. The spot price is the current market price for gold; it’s how much an ounce of gold can be bought or sold for at any given moment.

Ideally, you’ll want to buy gold jewelry when the spot price is low and sell it when the spot price is high. This is essentially how gold traders and investors make their money. The gold market is fairly volatile, so prices will rise and fall several times in the course of a week. To make the most money, it’s always ideal to hold onto gold for a period of years, but checking the spot price each day or week when you’re in the market to sell will allow you to earn the most cash possible for your gold jewelry.

When You Need Cash

Although it’s always ideal to wait for market prices to rise, sometimes circumstances necessitate selling your gold jewelry right away. At the end of the day, the best time to sell gold jewelry is whenever you need the cash most.

Whether you have debts to pay off or unexpected expenses arise, selling gold jewelry is a quick way to secure extra funds to keep you afloat. Although the gold market can shift rapidly, the short-term changes are minimal, and prices won’t rise significantly in the course of a single year. If you need cash, sell right away rather than waiting for the market to change — it may just decrease and leave you with less cash than you would’ve gotten immediately.

When You Want Something Specific

If you’re looking to purchase something new, selling off your gold jewelry can be an excellent way to generate the funds needed. Whether a big-ticket item like a car, a smaller purchase like a new handbag, or a much-needed vacation, freeing up funds by selling unused items is a quick and easy way to feel more confident about your next purchase.

Some people hold onto jewelry with the idea of building wealth and selling it when the spot price rises. However, the gold market’s volatility can often cost you money in the long run, so it’s generally a better idea to hold onto your gold until you have a better investment opportunity, such as real estate.

When You Don’t Use It

One of the most common reasons why we get customers coming into our store is that they’ve inherited jewelry from a loved one. As times change, so do styles, and the jewelry your parents or grandparents thought was fashionable may not be to your taste now. You may also have older pieces of your own that you no longer wear as trends have changed.

Whether you inherited jewelry that isn’t to your taste or have older pieces you no longer wear, clearing out your jewelry box of items that are collecting dust will help you secure some extra cash while freeing up space in your home. It’ll also allow the jewelry to be passed on to someone who will wear it, appreciate it, and continue its unique story. Even if the market isn’t at its highest, clearing out your home and removing unnecessary clutter can sometimes be more valuable than holding onto something you don’t need to wait for spot prices to rise a few cents.

Whatever your reason or timing, make sure that when you do decide to sell, you choose the best place to sell gold jewelry in Orange County. Watch & Wares has been buying and selling gold for more than twenty years, and we’ve established ourselves as the local experts. Orange residents know that when they visit Watch & Wares, they’re receiving a fair and competitive appraisal offer that directly reflects market prices. In fact, our offers are consistently some of the highest in Orange County, thanks to our team of experienced jewelry experts and certified gemologists. If you are looking for the best place to sell gold jewelry near you, contact Watch & Wares online or give us a call at 714-633-2030 today.

Unlock the Secrets of Gold Jewelry: A Comprehensive Guide to Its Types and Values

Gold is an enduringly popular material that has been treasured for centuries. A symbol of luxury, it has been transformed into jewelry, armor, coins, and countless other objects. Its enduring place in history is what ensures that gold never goes out of style, whether you’re wearing your gold jewelry for special occasions or everyday wear.

Whether you’re in the market to buy gold jewelry or you’re looking for places to sell jewelry for cash, it’s important to understand the different aspects of this precious metal to make sure you’re getting a fair value. Before going shopping or scheduling an appraisal, make sure you understand these nuanced aspects of gold jewelry.

Gold Colors

Gold jewelry is available in three primary colors: yellow gold, white gold, and rose gold. Despite the variation in shade, all gold tones are made with real gold. In the case of white gold and rose gold, natural gold is mixed with different alloys to achieve a unique color.

  • Yellow Gold: Yellow gold is the traditional color of gold and is often used in classic designs. It is created by adding copper, zinc, and other metals to pure gold to give it added strength and durability.
  • White Gold: White gold can sometimes be mistaken for silver due to its bright, cool shimmering tone. Because of this, it’s extremely popular in modern designs, although it remains timeless. White gold is created by adding nickel, palladium, and other metals to pure gold. It’s also plated with Rhodium for a silvery-white finish and added durability.
  • Rose Gold: Also called pink gold due to its rosy pink hue, rose gold is created by adding copper to pure gold. The newest gold color option, rose gold, has become extremely popular in recent years.

Gold Karats

If you take your vintage estate jewelry to a jewelry repair store or places to sell gold jewelry, one of the first things they’ll do is assess the karat. Karat is the measurement of the purity of the gold, with 24 karat being 100 percent pure gold. Each karat represents 1/24 of the whole, so if your gold jewelry is 18/24 metal, then it is 18-karat gold. Generally, the higher the karat, the more valuable the jewelry.

  • 14 Karat Gold: 14 karat gold contains 14 parts gold and 10 parts alloys. This equates to 58.3 percent gold. Although it’s less valuable than pure gold, the addition of alloys makes it extremely strong and durable, so it’s one of the most wearable types of gold.
  • 18 Karat Gold: 18 karat gold contains 18 parts gold and six parts alloy, or 75 percent gold and 25 percent alloys. This makes a more luxurious option that still benefits from some strength of the alloys.
  • 24 Karat Gold: 24 karat gold is 100 percent pure, undiluted gold. It is the purest form of gold available and, therefore, the most expensive. 24 karat gold is sometimes used for high-end jewelry, but because it’s so pure, it can sometimes be too soft for everyday wear. For this reason, it tends to be used more for investment bars and coins.

Gold Types

When shopping for gold jewelry, you’ll come across gold pieces that appear similar yet vary widely in price. This is in part due to the process used to make them, as this can greatly affect the quality of the piece.

  • Gold Plated: The most affordable option of the bunch, gold-plated jewelry is made of a cheaper based metal such as brass or copper. This base metal is then covered in a thin layer of gold to give the appearance of gold jewelry. However, the actual amount of gold is typically less than 0.05 percent. Although low-cost, gold-plated jewelry will typically fade or tarnish over time and reveal the brass or copper color underneath.
  • Gold-Filled: The next step up in quality, gold-filled jewelry is made by mechanically bonding a thick layer of gold to a base metal such as brass. Although it isn’t solid gold, gold-filled jewelry typically has more than 100 times more gold than gold-plated jewelry, making it more durable and less likely to fade or rub off.
  • Gold Vermeil: Gold vermeil jewelry is made very similarly to gold-filled jewelry, but the base is sterling silver instead of a cheaper metal like brass. It is also made using an electroplating process versus gold-filled jewelry’s pressure and heat bonding process. As a result, it is higher quality and more long-lasting.
  • Solid Gold: Solid gold jewelry is made with 100 percent gold and no base metal. As a result, solid gold is the most expensive and luxurious type of gold jewelry. Although it is made entirely of gold, it comes in various karats, so you can receive a solid gold jewelry piece that has a lower karat for enhanced durability that retains high quality.

If you’re looking for places to sell gold jewelry near you but don’t know where to start, the friendly team at Watch & Wares is here to help. We offer convenient and transparent appraisals that never come with any obligation to sell. Our offers are consistently some of the highest in Orange County, thanks to our team of experienced jewelry experts and certified gemologists. If you are looking for the best place to sell jewelry for cash, contact Watch & Wares online or give us a call at 714-633-2030 today.

4 Signs of Reliable Places To Sell Jewelry for Cash

Whether you’re in need of quick cash or want to let go of clutter, there are many reasons you may want to sell your vintage estate jewelry. However, no matter the reason, you likely want to ensure that you’re dealing with a reliable jewelry buyer that will offer you a fair and competitive price for your valuable items.

When searching for places to sell jewelry for cash, it can be surprisingly difficult to find a shop that’s reliable, transparent, and fair. From receiving deceptively low appraisals to mailing off your gold jewelry to a sketchy online business, there are many things that can go wrong when searching for places to sell gold jewelry near you. To safeguard your vintage estate jewelry and make sure you’re getting the best price possible, keep these four signs top of mind when embarking on your search.

1. They Come Highly Recommended

If you’re not sure where to start in your search for places to sell gold jewelry, it’s always a good idea to ask someone you know for recommendations. Getting a recommendation from someone you trust can help set your mind at ease and give you a starting point for your vintage estate jewelry appraisals.

It’s always best if your friend or family member has dealt with the jewelry repair store personally, but it can be helpful even if they know of someone else who visited or if they looked into the store but never visited personally. If you do your due diligence and make sure the estate jewelry store follows the next three signs, it can be a great resource even without firsthand experience.

2. They Have Good Customer Reviews

If you don’t know anyone who’s visited a vintage estate jewelry store in your area, you can find reputable shops by checking their reviews online. This step is also important even when verifying the quality of a shop recommended to you by a friend.

Check out sites like Yelp and Google to read honest reviews from past customers. Since these third-party sites aren’t controlled by the jewelry repair store itself, the reviews you find there will be objective and unfiltered.

In addition to ensuring that their reviews are positive, you should also make sure that they have a large number of reviews. Companies with only a handful of reviews may lack legitimacy, so it’s always best to remove them from your list to be safe.

3. They’re Fair and Knowledgeable

Once you’ve found a jewelry repair store with favorable reviews, your next step should be to ensure that they’re knowledgeable, reputable and fair. Consider factors such as how long they’ve been in business, what certifications or licenses they have, and how transparent their appraisal princess is.

Any honest and trustworthy cash jewelry and loan shop will offer you a free, no-obligation appraisal for your vintage estate jewelry. They should also have a CIA-certified gemologist on staff to accurately appraise any precious stones.

It’s also important that you do independent research to assess the approximate value of your vintage estate jewelry. When you receive your free appraisal, their value should be in the ballpark of your independent conclusion. Remember that a pawn and loan shop will need to leave room for them to make a profit, but it should still be a competitive price that is fair to you.

4. They Meet All of Your Needs

Not all pawn and loan shops are created equal. If you have vintage estate jewelry to sell, it’s important that you find places to sell gold jewelry that specialize in vintage estate jewelry. Some stores may specialize in a field like guns or rare art but won’t have the expertise to fairly appraise and purchase your items for their true value.

At Watch & Wares, we accept the following items for sale or collateral loans:

  • Vintage estate jewelry
  • Jewelry from all periods
  • Antique watches
  • Contemporary watches
  • Loose diamonds
  • Luxury designer handbags
  • High-end luggage
  • Precious metals
  • Rare or collectible coins
  • Fine art and collectible

At Watch & Wares, we consistently offer five-star customer service, as reflected in our reputation online and in the local Orange County community. As a family-run business with 30 years of experience, we place transparency, integrity and honesty at the forefront of everything we do. We want to ensure that every visit to Watch & Wares leaves you happy and confident in your selling decision. To find out more about our vintage estate jewelry buying and selling services or receive a free jewelry appraisal, call us at 714-633-2030 or fill out our online contact form today.

What Is the Best Cut for Each Diamond Shape?

When shopping for a diamond or having your diamond jewelry appraised in Orange, CA, there are many different aspects to consider, from size and color to clarity and cut. Each diamond shape has its own unique characteristics, and the way that a diamond is cut is one of the stone’s most important features. 

The cut of a diamond refers to the way a diamond has been cut, shaped, and polished to bring out its maximum brilliance. The cut of a diamond can affect its overall appearance, and the right cut can enhance the beauty of a stone. When shopping for diamonds or selling your diamond jewelry, it’s important to note not only the shape of the diamond but also the way each shape has been cut.

Depth & Table

When it comes to determining the best cut for each diamond shape, there are two key aspects to consider: depth and table.

The table refers to the largest facet of the diamond, typically found on the top surface of the stone. The table is calculated by dividing the width of the table by the width of the entire stone, producing a percentage that is typically between 50 and 70 percent.

The depth refers to the distance from the table to the bottom point of the diamond, also called the culet. This figure is then divided into the width of the stone, creating the final depth percentage measurement.

Cut Grade

In addition to depth and table, cut grade is also important when it comes to determining the best cut for a diamond. If a diamond is cut well, it can look beautiful and brilliant even with a slightly lower color and clarity grade. On the other hand, a poorly cut diamond may seem dull and lackluster even if it has excellent clarity and color ratings. To ensure that your diamond is as beautiful as possible, assessing its cut grade is essential.

Cut grade is essentially a measure of the diamond’s overall symmetry and proportion, and it is rated on a scale from Excellent to Poor. A diamond with an Excellent cut grade will have the best symmetry, proportion, and polish, resulting in the most brilliant sparkle and shine. Each diamond shape, however, is distinctive, so the ideal proportions will vary based on the shape you choose.

Round Cut Diamond

Round diamonds are one of the most sought-after shapes on the market, especially for engagement rings. Developed in the early 1900s by a mathematician, round diamonds have one of the most brilliant cuts available due to their 360-degree symmetry.

Round diamonds feature an astonishing 57 facets, allowing them to refract light and shine brilliantly more than any other diamond cut on the market. When searching for the best round diamond ring, look for one that has a table measurement of 54 to 57 percent and a depth of 60 to 63 percent for the ideal cut.

Princess Cut Diamond

The princess cut, originally called the Barion cut, was introduced in 1971. It has 90-degree corners that create a square or rectangular silhouette, making it a modern style beloved by contemporary brides.

Princess cuts offer similar brilliance to the timeless round cut, but their efficient manufacturing process makes them generally more affordable and easier to find. The most ideal princess-cut diamond is a perfect square with a table of 63 to 70 percent and a depth of 67 to 76 percent.

Heart Cut Diamond

Heart-cut diamonds are one of the most challenging to cut due to their unnatural shape and need for perfect symmetry. When searching for your ideal heart-cut diamond, make sure that it is a symmetrical shape with well-balanced lobes. Ensure the clef in the center is well-defined to avoid it looking like a triangular trilliant cut.

The most ideal proportions for a heart-cut diamond are a table measurement of 56 to 62 percent and a depth of 58 to 64 percent.

If you’re seeking the most beautiful and well-cut diamond jewelry possible, Watch & Wares is proud to offer one of the widest selections of diamond jewelry in the Orange, CA area. Whether you’re buying or selling diamonds, we have curated a team of expert jewelry appraisers and gemologists with decades of experience that will work to make your buying and selling experience truly luxurious. 

With over 30 years of business under our belts, Watch & Wares is a name you can trust when selling your diamond jewelry. We can also provide a collateral loan on diamonds, and we offer some of the best jewelry and loan values in the Orange, CA area. To find out more about our diamond and jewelry buying services or to receive a free diamond jewelry estimate, give us a call at 714-633-2030 or fill out our online contact form today. You can also stop by our Orange, CA location Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. We look forward to working with you!

Are Jewelry Loans Really a Better Alternative to Bank Loans?

It’s been a tough few years for Americans’ finances, from pandemic job loss to rapid inflation and now bank failures that have many fearing a repeat of the Great Recession of 2008. In these uncertain economic times, it’s not unusual to find yourself in need of extra cash. 

When you need capital quickly, you may be tempted to take out a personal bank loan. However, there’s another option that is often overlooked: collateral loans. Collateral loans are a great alternative to traditional bank loans, as they offer several benefits that make them a more attractive option.

Faster Processing Times

One of the biggest advantages of jewelry loans is that they have faster processing times than traditional bank loans. Since jewelry loans are typically secured by the value of the collateral, which limits the financier’s risk, there is no need for a lengthy credit check or approval process. 

Instead, a loan on diamond jewelry can be approved and processed quickly, usually within one day or even a matter of a couple of hours. Cash is provided on the spot, so you can access the funds you need immediately without having to wait for days or weeks for an answer from the bank.

No Credit Score Impact

Many Americans have seen their credit score take a hit in the past three years, so avoiding any further negative impact is crucial. When you opt for jewelry loans, there’s never any impact on your credit score.

Applying for a personal bank loan can impact your credit score even if you’re denied the loan because the bank often initiates hard credit pulls during your application process. When you secure your loan with collateral such as diamond jewelry, however, there’s no need to assess your credit history, so your jewelry loan pawn shop won’t run your credit.

Your credit score also doesn’t play a role in determining whether or not you get a loan. Whereas personal bank loans can be denied due to a low credit score, you can secure a collateral loan no matter how low your credit score is because the value of the loan is determined by the value of your collateral. If you don’t repay the loan, the jewelry loan pawn shop will simply keep the collateral as repayment. This also means that failure to repay the loan will not damage your credit score at all.

Flexible Loan Amounts

When you apply for a personal loan, there’s very little flexibility offered. You may receive an offer for less money than you need or you may be responsible for much more credit than you need. There are also dozens of hidden fees, and you may even need a co-signer depending on your age and financial status.

With a collateral loan, you can decide how much money you need to borrow, as well as the terms of repayment. This means that you can tailor the loan to fit your specific needs and budget. After all, the value of your loan is dictated by the value of your collateral, so you can loan one or more items of varying value to achieve the loan value you need to cover your expenses. 

Furthermore, you can often negotiate the interest rate and other terms of the loan so you can get the best deal possible. Since there’s less risk for the jewelry loan pawn shop with secured jewelry loans, they’re often willing to give you more leeway in negotiation than a bank accepting unsecured debt they may never get back.

If you need cash fast and have valuable items that you’re willing to temporarily part with, a collateral loan from Watch & Wares is an excellent solution that offers many practical benefits. From low-interest rates to generous loan terms, all with no effect on your credit score, jewelry loans are the option that many Orange County residents prefer for sourcing cash fast. 

At Watch & Wares, we offer some of the most competitive appraisal pricing in the area, and our insurance rates are always state-regulated. We have a generous four-month loan term with a 10-day grace period, and we’re always happy to renew your loan in exchange for the full repayment of interest owed. To find out more about our collateral loan process or to receive an appraisal on your luxury item, contact us at 714-731-9600 or fill out our online contact form today. We would be happy to schedule an appraisal appointment at your earliest convenience.

How Can You Know What Your Engagement Ring Is Worth?

Engagement rings often represent an important moment in a couple’s life, and their sentimental value is priceless. However, knowing what your ring is worth can help you determine if you have the right amount of insurance coverage or whether you should upgrade your ring. It can also help you receive a fair value if the engagement’s been broken off and you want to sell the ring.

Whatever your reason, if you’re interested in knowing what exactly your engagement ring is worth, there are a few key factors to consider before taking it for an appraisal at Orange, CA’s No. 1 place to sell gold jewelry.

Metal Band

First and foremost, the metal your ring is made of will affect its worth. Platinum engagement rings usually cost more than white or yellow gold, and increasingly popular rose gold may also be more expensive than its counterparts.

Keep in mind that the price of each metal will change daily depending on the current market price for an ounce of that material (also called the spot price). When selling your engagement ring to a gold and jewelry buyer, you can expect to receive about 80-90 percent of the current spot price.

Center Stone

The center stone is, of course, the most important part of the ring and typically accounts for 75-95 percent of the ring’s total value. When assessing the worth of an engagement ring, the center diamond’s carat, clarity and color will all be taken into account. 

For example, a one-carat diamond with a color rating of F (the rarest color) and a clarity rating of IF (internally flawless) may be worth more than a diamond of the same size with lower color and clarity ratings. If your engagement ring has grading documentation attesting to its value, this will help increase the price of your engagement ring by eliminating some of the risk on the buyer’s part.

Accent Stones

Accent stones are also important to the overall value of the ring. Whether you have several small accent diamonds, a halo around the center stone or a unique design, the number and type of stones used in the ring will be taken into consideration.

Accent diamonds are typically priced by weight alone rather than judged on the four C’s typical of larger diamonds. This is because the larger stones are rarer and more usable. Smaller accent stones tend to be priced at 100-300 dollars per carat unless their quality is notably low.

Brand & Design

The brand and design of the ring are also important. If your ring is from a well-known designer such as Tiffany & Co., it will likely be worth more than something from a strip mall jewelry store. This is because the designer’s pieces are more highly coveted and have a heritage to them that is likely to help them retain their value over time.

If your ring has a unique or intricate design, especially if it’s custom-made, this could also add to its overall worth, even if it isn’t a well-known brand. These engagement ring designs are typically worth more when sold directly to a private party, however, rather than to a gold and jewelry buyer in your local area.

If you want to know the actual value of your diamond engagement ring, Watch & Wares can help. Customer satisfaction is our top priority, so we always strive to create an in-store experience that makes you comfortable and confident in your decision to sell diamond jewelry. We consistently offer the most competitive prices in the area, and our customer service speaks for itself. To schedule a free diamond jewelry appraisal or for any inquiries regarding sales, give us a call at (714) 633-2030 or fill out our online contact form today. You can also stop by our Orange, CA location Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. We look forward to working with you!

If You’re Selling Your Watch, Make Sure You Know These 5 Things First

If you’re looking for the best place to sell your Rolex watch for cash, you’re not alone. Any Orange, CA resident searching for a good place to sell their designer watch will want to get the most money possible for their valuable items.

But how do you achieve this? There are several things you can do to increase the value of your Rolex watch and get the most money possible. From Rolex watch repair to monitoring the secondhand market, make sure you know these five things before selling your Rolex:

1. Your Readiness to Sell

Whether you bought your Rolex to mark a major life accomplishment or you were gifted it by a loved one, parting with your Rolex watch can be an emotional process. Before you begin the selling process, take time to consider whether or not you’re truly ready to part with the piece. 

You may have little emotional attachment to the watch, so it’s an easy decision; some people, however, need time to separate their love for the associated person or memory from their ownership of the watch. You may not be able to get the piece back if you have regrets, so make sure that you’re completely confident in your decision to sell before proceeding.

2. Authenticity

Of course, your Rolex’s authenticity will have a major impact on its value. If your watch is fake or counterfeit, its secondhand value will be next to nothing, and any reputable watch buyer will likely refuse to purchase it.

To verify authenticity before taking it for an appraisal, inspect the logo or other markers. If your watch is counterfeit, you may notice misspellings or incorrect fonts. Today’s counterfeits are incredibly sophisticated and close to the original in their design, so it’s best to take your Rolex in for Rolex watch repair or an appraisal to have a professional verify its authenticity.

3. Condition & Quality

Another significant factor in the value of your Rolex watch is its condition. The better shape that your watch is in, the more you’ll receive for it. This also extends to any Rolex watch repair that may have been performed. 

While it’s generally a good idea to have your watch repaired before selling to improve its condition, make sure that you use a reputable Rolex watch repair professional that will only use original Rolex parts. If a Rolex contains non-Rolex components, the watch is often considered inauthentic, even if the watch was originally purchased directly from Rolex.

It’s also a good idea to collect any and all paperwork associated with your watch. Any receipts, manuals, authenticity cards, packaging, warranty paperwork or other documentation will not only better inform your appraiser but will also increase the value of your secondhand Rolex. 

4. Market Demand

The price of your Rolex watch isn’t solely dictated by the watch itself; it can also depend on the market at the time of selling. For this reason, it’s always best to keep an eye on the market, if possible, and sell at peak times. If you don’t need to sell your watch for cash immediately, take some time to monitor the pre-owned Rolex market and analyze the selling price for secondhand Rolex watches of the same model as yours. 

It’s important to monitor Rolexes of the same or similar year and model because, while Rolexes are all generally valuable, specific models and collections can be worth far more than others. To ensure that you’re receiving the fairest value possible for your timepiece, it’s best to have an idea of what your Rolex is worth before seeking an appraisal. 

5. The Best Place to Sell Rolex Watches

Finally, the most important step before selling your Rolex watch is to find a trustworthy and reputable watch buyer in your area. When searching for places to sell gold jewelry and Rolex watches, look at third-party review sites and testimonials to verify their quality of work. 

You should also verify how long they’ve been in business, as well as whether they have proper licenses and certifications. You can also request a free appraisal for your Rolex watch. Any honest and trustworthy cash jewelry and loan shop will offer you a free, no-obligation appraisal for your watch itself or for Rolex watch repair.

At Watch & Wares, we consistently offer five-star customer service. This commitment to your satisfaction is reflected in our reputation online and in the local Orange County community. As a family-run business with 30 years of experience, we place transparency, integrity, and honesty at the forefront of everything we do. We want to ensure that every visit to Watch & Wares leaves you happy and confident in your selling decision. To find out more about our Rolex watch repair services or to receive a free Rolex watch estimate, give us a call at (714) 633-2030 or fill out our online contact form today.

5 Jewelry Brands That Carry the Most Resale Value

Jewelry is a significant investment for many Orange, CA residents – when you purchase a piece of fine jewelry, you want the peace of mind that it can be resold for a significant portion of its original retail price. While no one wants to have to worry about recouping money spent, if you find yourself needing to get cash for gold jewelry at a moment’s notice, these five luxury jewelry brands carry the highest resale value.

1. Cartier

Founded in 1847, Cartier is one of the most well-known names in fine jewelry. Since being founded by Louis-Francois Cartier in Paris almost 200 years ago, Cartier has become synonymous with luxury, being lauded by celebrities and royalty alike. In fact, England’s King Edward VII labeled Cartier as “the jeweler of kings and the king of jewelers.”

While many of Cartier’s pieces have a high resale value today, their most popular and in-demand styles of present-day include their Love bracelet, introduced in the 1970s, and their Just Un Clou collection. If you want a designer piece that looks infinitely timeless and will retain value for decades to come, Cartier is one of the safest and most attractive options in the world of fine jewelry.

2. Van Cleef & Arpels

Although timeless and beloved since its founding in 1906, Van Cleef & Arpels is having a renaissance, and those buying fine jewelry in 2023 would be wise to purchase a signature Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra style. Faithful to the first Alhambra jewel created in 1968, this style is both modern and on-trend while remaining classic for decades.

Further, online luxury consignment giant The Real Real found that Van Cleef & Arpels jewelry held its value the best of any other fine jewelry brand, retaining 74 percent of its original value on average with a 5 percent increase year over year. 

3. Tiffany & Co.

Tiffany & Co. is arguably the No. 1 most recognizable name in fine jewelry, and this has undeniably helped the brand remain in demand for almost two centuries. Founded in 1837, Tiffany & Co. is most famous for its diamond jewelry, especially engagement rings, and can even be recognized by its signature teal blue color, “Tiffany blue.”

Whether you’re an avid Audrey Hepburn fan or want to ensure that your engagement ring retains resale value, Tiffany & Co. is one of the most powerful forces in secondhand fine jewelry, thanks to its brand recognition.

4. David Yurman

If you’re seeking something more modern for your next jewelry piece, David Yurman is one of the youngest jewelry brands to carry a consistently high resale value. Founded in 1980, David Yurman is a name that is undeniably recognizable among modern consumers, and their signature cable bracelet quickly secured its place as a fine jewelry icon in less than 30 years.

Known for their unique, artisanal designs, David Yurman jewelry can fetch top prices among collectors and casual jewelry fans alike. While their highest secondhand sale prices don’t match the likes of Tiffany & Co. or Cartier, their average resale value is consistently among the top-ranked.

5. Harry Winston

Harry Winston founded his eponymous brand in 1920 and opened his first boutique in New York in 1932. Harry Winston is often referred to as “the ultimate jeweler” or “the king of diamonds,” indicative of the brand’s high value on the secondhand market. 

The first jeweler to loan out their pieces to an actress for the Academy Awards, Harry Winston is synonymous with Hollywood glamour and luxury. Known for unique gemstones, stunning diamonds, and meticulously detailed designs, Harry Winston estate jewelry is timeless and highly coveted, especially if it’s from an old Hollywood time period.

If you’re an Orange, CA resident with estate jewelry from one of these valuable fine jewelry brands and you’re looking for the best place to sell gold jewelry for cash, bring your estate jewelry into Watch & Wares today. Our friendly and knowledgeable team members are always happy to assist you with whatever jewelry services you need, including estate jewelry appraisal. We have served the Orange County area for more than 30 years, so you can always trust us to consistently offer fair and competitive values in a comfortable setting with exceptional customer service. To schedule an appraisal for your estate jewelry or to inquire about jewelry lending, give us a call at (714) 633-2030 or fill out our online contact form today. We look forward to working with you!

How Is the Value of Your Rolex Watch Determined?

The value of Rolex watches varies drastically, with secondhand pieces going for as little as $2,000, while the most expensive secondhand Rolex ever sold was $17.8 million. With such a wide range, how much can you expect to receive for your Rolex watch if you decide to part with it?

Generally, if you’re seeking to sell your Rolex Watch for cash, the value of your timepiece will be determined by four key factors: authenticity and inclusion of original parts, quality and condition, the desirability of that particular watch or model, and the current market value for Rolex watches overall.

Authenticity

One of the most significant factors in a Rolex’s value is, of course, its authenticity. When it comes to Rolex watches, this doesn’t just refer to whether or not Rolex manufactured the original watch. Rather, it means that the watch is entirely made of authentic Rolex components.

Over time, your luxury watch will inevitably need repair, and some parts may need to be replaced. If the Rolex watch repair is performed improperly or by a shoddy workman, they may replace an original Rolex part with a non-Rolex component, rendering the timepieces inauthentic in the eyes of collectors. 

Whenever you invest in Rolex watch repair, ensure that the replacement parts are authentic Rolex components. Ideally, these parts should be circa-correct, meaning that the replacement pieces are from the same period as the original manufacturing date of the timepiece. Sometimes, a circa-correct piece is unavailable; in this case, a more modern Rolex component will be used if it is compatible. While circa-correct vintage Rolex watches are most valuable, a Rolex watch with modern Rolex components is still authentic even if it isn’t circa-correct.

Condition

You may be tempted to leave your Rolex watch unmaintained or unrepaired for fear of losing its original parts and decreasing its value. However, condition plays an important role in a Rolex’s secondhand price, so you should still take the time to care for and maintain the timepiece.

If your Rolex watch is looking worse for wear, take it to a trusted Rolex watch repair specialist for assessment. They can determine what needs to be cleaned, what needs to be repaired, and what should be left as-is for maximum resale value. They’ll also be able to perform any repairs properly using authentic Rolex parts.

Model Desirability

As with all luxury goods, the desirability and, therefore, the secondhand value of an item will depend on its accessibility. Sometimes this can mean rarity, while other times, it means a well-maintained classic style. 

When it comes to Rolex, sports watches such as the Submarine and the Cosmograph Daytona are desirable and classic models that can be consistently sold for the purchase price or higher. More contemporary, colorful, or customized Rolex watches, on the other hand, are more likely to depreciate as trends change. However, if your Rolex has a rare feature or was previously owned by a noteworthy individual, this can drive its value up significantly.

Current Market Value

Just as with all secondhand goods, the overall performance of the secondary market will be a factor in how much your Rolex watch is worth. If you want the most money possible for your timepiece, keep an eye on the secondhand luxury market and wait for prices to peak before selling.

Luckily, Rolex watches generally always have a high resale value because of the constant demand. Since demand far exceeds supply at nearly all times of the year and for years on end, there are often multi-year waiting lists for popular models, which drives up secondary prices. This is especially true for in-demand models like the Rolex Daytona, so if you have a popular Rolex model in your possession, it may be worth nearly double its original retail value.

If you have a luxury Rolex watch that you’d like to sell for same-day cash, Watch & Wares is the premier choice in Southern California. At Watch & Wares, we’re proud to offer some of the most competitive rates in the Orange, CA area for residents seeking to sell luxury items. We have a staff of expert appraisers and certified gemologists who will ensure that you’re receiving the fairest value possible for your luxury goods every time. 

We also offer collateral loans that come with generous four-month loan terms and state-regulated interest rates. Whether you want to sell luxury items or inquire about jewelry lending, Watch & Wares is Orange County’s most trusted source. To schedule a Rolex appraisal appointment or receive a Rolex watch repair estimate, give us a call at (714) 633-2030 or fill out our online contact form today.