Whether you bought your pre-owned luxury handbag for a season or for a lifetime, you may find yourself in need of extra cash or simply tired of your same old handbag styles. If that’s the case, you can sell your valuable luxury accessories for cash and make a significant percentage of the purchase price back. Some people even buy handbags as an investment because they know that they can sell them later and make all of their money back and then some.

However, not all handbags retain their full value on the secondhand market. If you want to sell your pre-owned designer handbags for as much as possible, try these four ways to boost your pre-owned luxury handbag’s resale value.

1. Do Your Research Before Buying

The best way to preserve resale value after buying your bag is to research the best investment pieces before you buy your bag. While you should buy a style you love, you should also do research into the resale value of that bag and how much other styles sell for on the pre-owned market.

Visit resellers of pre-owned luxury handbags online and search for the same brand, style, size, material and color as the bag you’re interested in. You may find that the style goes for more than the retail value on the secondhand market, or you may find that it goes for a fraction of its original price. Even if you buy a bag with a low resale value, at least you’ll have accurate expectations and make an informed purchasing decision.

2. Invest in Rare Pieces

If you want to ensure that your bag purchases have the best chance possible of preserving their value, look for limited edition items from historied luxury brands. Stick to designer brands that have been around for decades, or even centuries, like Louis Vuitton, Chanel or Hermès. Chanel and Hermès bags in particular tend to only increase in value over time. More contemporary or lesser-known brands like Fendi, Versace and Miu Miu tend to sell for less on the secondhand market, especially if they don’t have a consistent signature bag style like the Chanel Classic Flap or Hermès Birkin.

When looking for rare items, collect styles that are made in exclusive quantities, in collaboration with well-known artists or made with exotic materials. The more difficult to find a pre-owned luxury handbag is, the more a collector will be willing to pay for it. While some limited edition pieces may be lost to time, many will become in demand and give you a great ROI.

3. Protect and Maintain Your Bag’s Condition

Like any expensive luxury accessory, pre-owned designer handbags should be properly stored and maintained to preserve their condition. If your bag becomes discolored, misshapen, or odorous, it could significantly reduce its resale value.

Protect your handbag in storage by always storing it inside a dust bag. You should also keep it in a temperature-controlled environment that isn’t too hot and humid or dry. Too much moisture could lead to mold or mildew growth, while extremely dry environments could lead to leather cracking or peeling.

If you have a light-colored handbag, avoid wearing it with jeans or other dark colors, as you could transfer the denim color onto the back of your bag as you walk. Your bags also shouldn’t be left in direct sunlight for too long, or the leather could discolor and lighten over time.

If you already have some minor wear and tear to your pre-owned luxury handbags, you can usually have them repaired or restored at a handbag spa. At the Watch & Wares handbag spa, we perform professional handbag cleaning, handbag moisturization, stain protection treatment, edgewear restoration, color touch-up services, odor and mold removal, and more for a range of designer styles.

4. Sell at the Right Time

An important factor in pre-owned designer handbags’ resale value is time. If you don’t need to sell right away, study the market and wait for the best time to sell your bag in order to get the most money possible.

Highly popular classic bags like the Chanel Classic Flap or Hermès Birkin consistently increase in price over time, so the longer you can wait to sell, the better. With trendy pieces like the Prada Re-Edition 2005, prices spike as the bag hits maximum popularity and then fall as the bag goes out of style. In this case, you’ll want to sell before the trend dies completely, while there’s still demand for the item. In some cases, trendy bags can come back into style, such as with the Fendi Baguette or Chanel Diana. Trends tend to re-appear every 10-20 years, so if your bag is out of style now, it may come back into style in the future, and prices will once again rise as demand grows.

Whether you want to strike while the iron’s hot or take advantage of growing inflation, you can sell your pre-owned luxury handbags for incredible value at Watch & Wares. We offer some of the most competitive rates in the area for all premium designer names, and we can even restore your bag to its original glory with our handbag spa services.

For more than 30 years, Watch & Wares has been known as the best place to sell gold jewelry for cash in Orange, CA, but it’s also the best place to buy and sell pre-owned designer handbags. To find out more about our handbag spa services or schedule an appraisal for your pre-owned designer handbags, give us a call at (714) 633-2030 or fill out our online contact form today. We look forward to assisting you in any way we can.

Handing down jewelry is a tradition as old as time, and it’s common for people to find themselves with a loved one’s vintage estate jewelry at one point or another. While it’s always a meaningful gesture, you may not always want to keep the vintage pieces, but there can be complex emotions around the selling of inherited valuables.

You may not feel any emotional attachment to the pieces and have no plans to wear them in the future, so it’s better for them to go to a loving home than sit around in your jewelry box. However, if you want to sell gold jewelry for cash, you may feel guilty for cashing in on these once-beloved items.

These emotions are common and completely valid, and although selling vintage estate jewelry can be an emotional decision, it’s one that can be made easier if you know how to effectively prepare to sell your inherited diamond and gold jewelry.

Decide what’s sentimental

The first step is to decide what you want to sell and what you want to keep. Lay out all of the inherited jewelry and go through piece by piece, thinking about how each item makes you feel. Do you see yourself wearing it in the future or passing it on to another loved one? Is it tied to important memories? 

If it’s something that’s important to you and your relationship with the deceased, keep the piece. If it meant more to your loved one than it does to you, tease apart these distinctions and consider selling it to a new, loving home. It’s okay to err on the side of caution and keep any pieces you feel you may regret selling down the line.

Gather all relevant documents

Once you’ve decided which pieces to sell, you’ll need to prepare these pieces for a vintage estate jewelry appraisal. To get the highest price possible for the items, gather any documentation you have about the jewelry, its authenticity and its value.

If your loved one didn’t keep any original documents, don’t worry. You can always have jewelry authenticated and have a certificate issued after the fact. You can also have the item assessed without this paperwork, but it may slightly lower the value offered.

Approximate your item’s value

Before selling your vintage estate jewelry, you should know how much your valuables are worth. You don’t need to have an exact number in mind — in fact, it’s often better if you don’t — but you should know a ballpark figure to avoid being undervalued.

You can do online research to assess your piece’s value, considering factors such as precious metals, precious gems, brand name, age, condition, and demand. If you can’t find any comparable pieces online, you can have your jewelry appraised at a reputable jewelry repair store, often for no cost.

Find a reputable vintage estate jewelry buyer

Craigslist, eBay, and other third-party marketplace sites can often seem like the easiest method for selling vintage estate jewelry, but as buyer-driven platforms, you can often be lowballed or even scammed out of your money entirely.

To protect yourself and your loved one’s treasured pieces, research reputable vintage estate jewelry buyers in your area and sell in person at a brick-and-mortar shop. Finding a reputable jewelry buyer is as easy as Googling “sell my jewelry for cash” or “places to sell gold jewelry near me” and then researching the top results to verify their trustworthiness.

When verifying a jewelry buyer, look at third-party reviews from sites like Yelp and Google, check their local licenses and certifications, and ask whether they have a GIA-certified gemologist on staff for appraisals. You should also verify that they’ve been in business for several years; this is often an indication that they’re trusted by the local community.

If you have inherited jewelry that you would like to sell or pawn, contact Watch & Wares today. We’re one of the best places to sell jewelry for cash in Orange County, and we consistently offer some of the highest values in the area. With over 30 years as a family-run business, we’re proud to have hundreds of 5-star reviews from residents of Orange, CA and across Southern California. We’re also a luxury jewelry and loan pawn shop, so you can get a four-month collateral loan on diamond jewelry — no credit check necessary. Contact us today at (714) 633-2030 or fill out our online contact form to request an appraisal or schedule an in-store appointment.

It’s not uncommon for Orange, CA residents to find themselves having inherited beautiful estate or antique jewelry from a loved one. Sometimes you can even find beautiful antique jewelry at a flea market or secondhand shop. Whatever the source, many people have estate jewelry pieces that are clearly well-loved – but are they valuable?

If you’re looking to sell jewelry from your collection, you may want to know the value of the pieces so that you can determine which ones will earn you the most cash. However, getting each and every piece of jewelry appraised often just isn’t practical or possible. Before you start looking for places to sell gold jewelry in your collection, use these four tips to identify which estate jewelry pieces are the most valuable.

1. Look for Jewelry Stamps and Hallmarks

Jewelry stamps and hallmarks can almost always be found on the inside of estate jewelry pieces made with valuable precious metals. These markings will generally denote the metal content of the piece as well as the designer’s signature, manufacturer logo or country of origin.

Look on the inside of your ring or bracelet, on the clasp of your necklace, or on the post of your earring to locate the hallmark. Common stamps you’ll find include:

• Gold: 22K, 18K, 14K, 10K, 916, 585, 375
• Silver: 925, 800, silver, sterling
• Platinum: 950, 900, platinum, plat

If your jewelry doesn’t have a visible stamp or hallmark, that doesn’t automatically mean it’s worthless. It’s possible the hallmark could’ve worn off from years of wear, or it simply wasn’t made with one due to specific manufacturing circumstances. If you’re in doubt, take it to Watch & Wares, the best jewelry and loan store in your area, for a professional appraisal.

2. Determine If It’s Fine or Costume Jewelry

There are two main types of designer jewelry: fine jewelry and costume jewelry. Fine jewelry is often, though not always, more delicate in design and is made with premium materials and precious stones. Costume jewelry, on the other hand, is often made with cheaper materials and is sold at a lower price point. However, if the costume jewelry is a designer brand or sought-after design, the value can be high among collectors.

Whereas fine jewelry is typically made entirely from precious metals, costume jewelry is made using a non-precious base metal such as copper, aluminum, or brass that is then plated in gold or silver. The easiest way to identify the difference is by looking for any signs of discoloration or flaking on your jewelry. If you notice a darker, silvery color under the worn-down gold, this is a sign of gold-plated jewelry. When solid gold jewelry wears down, it should remain gold through and through.

3. Identify Valuable Gemstones

Most people would correctly assume that any jewelry with gemstones is going to be valuable. However, it can be more challenging to discern which gemstones in your collection are real and which are the most valuable among those.

Older, antique gemstones are typically the most sought after because they’ve been left untreated. You can identify which gemstones in your collection are antique by paying attention to the gem’s cut. Modern cuts are precise and symmetrical, whereas older cuts are often less symmetrical and defined.

You should also note how the gemstones are set. If they’re glued onto the piece, they’re likely more cheaply made and less valuable. Fine jewelry will have diamonds held into place with an intricate setting of prongs, bezels, or channel set mountings.

4. Get an Appraisal From an Expert

Ultimately, the only way to accurately verify what your jewelry is worth is by having it appraised by a trusted professional. You can use the tips above to narrow down which jewelry in your collection is most valuable, but when in doubt, it’s best to have a professional gemologist verify the authenticity and value of any of your estate jewelry before selling. Trustworthy places to sell gold jewelry should always have a team of experts and trained gemologists that can look over your estate jewelry and offer you a no-obligation appraisal.

At Watch & Wares, we consistently offer five-star customer service, 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 have a GIA gemologist on our staff to ensure that every piece we handle is assessed properly and assigned a fair value. 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 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. 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!

Deciding the best time to sell jewelry, especially diamond jewelry, can be a tricky business. Not only do you want to make sure you’re emotionally ready to part with the piece, but you also want to ensure that you get the most money possible for your valuable item.

If you want to maximize the chances of getting the best possible price for your diamond vintage estate jewelry, make sure that you keep the four following factors in mind before searching for the best place to sell gold and jewelry in Orange, CA.

Assessing your diamond’s value

Before you visit places to sell jewelry and receive an estimate for your diamond, you should have a general idea of what it’s worth. This will prevent you from accepting ridiculously low prices from untrustworthy buyers who are only aiming to clear the largest profit margin possible.

Diamonds are appraised based on four main factors: cut, color, clarity and carat. The cut of the diamond refers to its shape. More specifically, it refers to the way that the stone reflects the light. Examples of common cuts are round, oval, princess, and pear. The cut plays a part in determining the value of the stone because some cuts are rarer and more desirable than others.

The diamond’s color is also assessed, and the appraiser will assign it a letter on the GIA color scale, with D being the most colorless and Z being the most color tinted. Color is the second biggest determination of a stone’s value after its cut, and the less color a diamond has, the more valuable it is.

The clarity of a diamond refers to the diamond’s lack of imperfections or inclusions. The fewer imperfections or inclusions a diamond has, the more valuable it is. Diamond clarity is graded on a 6-point scale ranging from Flawless (FL) to Included (I).

Carat refers to the weight of the diamond — and often, as a result, the size of the diamond. The more a diamond weighs, the more expensive it is. Carat is one of the most common terms surrounding diamond value, but it’s only one of several factors necessary for determining its value.

Secondhand diamond value

Whatever your diamond’s appraised value is, its secondhand resale value is, unfortunately, almost guaranteed to be less. This is because diamonds are similar to cars in that their value drops as soon as they’re purchased. In fact, most pre-owned diamonds will be worth approximately 33 percent of their original price. 

The main exception is if the diamond is part of vintage estate jewelry purchased many decades ago. In this case, it’s possible that the rise in diamond value over time may offset the depreciation and result in the piece being worth more than its original retail cost.

Seasonality and diamond resale value

Seasonality is an important component of the diamond retail industry since there are several times throughout the year when consumers are more likely to be looking to buy diamond jewelry. The three largest diamond-buying occasions are Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, and Christmas.

If you’re looking to sell jewelry this year, it may be beneficial to wait until several weeks before these holidays, when diamond buyers are looking to increase their stock levels of diamond jewelry. However, keep in mind that most consumers will purchase their diamonds from a retail store, not a secondhand jewelry buyer, and so the value for secondhand diamond jewelry will not be as greatly affected.

Diamond value market trends

Apart from the popular diamond buying seasons each year, there are also general trends for diamonds that cause the market value to fluctuate over the years. Since these can’t always be predicted, it’s advisable that you keep track of the market price of diamonds to spot the best time to sell.

In general, try not to sell during a price drop, and sell right away if you notice the market peaking. The long-term price trend for diamonds is positive, so the longer you hold onto your diamond, the more you’ll generally be able to get for it. However, if you need to sell soon, keep your eye on short-term market trends to maximize your cash.

Deciding the best time to sell your diamond jewelry can be a strategic and emotional matter. When it comes to sentimental vintage estate jewelry, only you know when it’s the right time to let it go. If you’re not yet ready to part with your diamond jewelry forever, consider a collateral loan from Watch & Wares. You can get the cash you need same-day while still retaining your diamond jewelry in the long-term with repayment of the loan.

If you’re ready to sell your diamond jewelry altogether, we can help with that too. We have 30 years of jewelry lending, buying and selling experience, and our staff is comprised of some of the most experienced professionals in the industry. Our team has worked for prestige names like Tiffany & Co., and we guarantee a luxury diamond selling experience with each visit. To receive an estimate for your diamond’s value, give Watch & Wares 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!

Do you have a ring that’s too tight? A necklace with a broken clasp? Maybe the strap has broken on your Rolex watch. Whatever the case, jewelry repair is an inevitable part of life, so it’s best to have an expert jewelry repair store that you can trust with all your valuable pieces.

Jewelry and watches are often more than just monetarily valuable; they hold great sentimental value that makes them devastating to break or lose. When it comes to such beloved items, you need and deserve a jewelry repair store that you can unwaveringly trust with high-quality and speedy repairs. Here are four tips for choosing the best jewelry repair store for your luxury goods.

1. Get a Free and Detailed Appraisal

Any trustworthy jewelry repair store will provide a free, no-obligation estimate for all repairs. You should never pay for a jewelry repair estimate, so if your local jeweler won’t offer you an appraisal for free, cross them off the list.

In addition to the estimate being free, it should also be detailed. More than just the final price, your free estimate should include a list of all the repairs they intend to make. This will allow you to envision the final result and ensure it’s the same as what you have in mind. 

You should feel completely comfortable throughout the estimate process, and any trustworthy jewelry repair store should aid this in every way possible.

2. Don’t Just Choose the Lowest Price

It’s always worth getting more than one estimate on jewelry repair to compare and ensure that you’re receiving the best combination of value and quality. While you want to remain within your budget and get a fair price for the repair work, you also don’t want to simply choose the cheapest price.

Dirt cheap estimates are often so much cheaper for a reason — the quality of the work is sub-par. When it comes to sentimental pieces like estate jewelry or valuable pieces like a Rolex watch, you want peace of mind that your goods are being repaired properly and will hold up over time. When you choose cheap estimates, you run the risk of choosing a jewelry repair store that’s cutting corners, potentially costing you more in the long run.

Choose an estimate that is a fair value, but make sure that the price also reflects the quality of the work you’re receiving. Choose a jewelry repair store with expert knowledge, state-of-the-art tools, and verified 5-star customer service.

3. Ensure a Reasonable Timeframe

When collecting estimates, you should receive an estimated timeframe for the repairs as well. Ensure that the work will be completed promptly and choose the jewelry repair store offering a reasonable timeframe and fair value.

Some repairs can be done on the spot as you wait, while others can take several weeks. There are very few, if any, repairs that take months, so be wary of any estimates that have an extremely long repair time. Collecting more than one estimate can also be beneficial for comparing timeframes and assessing what the average expected completion time should be for your item.

4. Don’t Allow Items to Be Shipped Back

There are many online jewelry repair companies that ask you to ship your valuables to them for repair. They then ship the item back to you once the repair has been completed. While this can be convenient, the risk isn’t worth the reward. 

Shipping any item, especially valuable jewelry, puts it at risk for damage or loss in transit. Only choose jewelry repair stores that will hand-deliver all repairs in-store. You should be able to pick up your gold jewelry and assess the repairs in person to ensure that they’re up to your standards.

If you want the best jewelry repair that Orange County has to offer, Watch & Wares is the premier choice. Our decades of experience make us the jeweler that other jewelers turn to when they need help. Our master jeweler boasts over 35 years of experience in the field of jewelry repair, and we use state-of-the-art tools to repair and restore jewelry pieces to their original state. Some of our customers have said that once we’re finished, their jewelry looks even better than new. 

To experience the Watch & Wares difference for yourself, give us a call at (714) 633-2030 or fill out our online contact form today and get started with a free repair estimate. 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!