How to Prepare Jewelry Before Getting an Evaluation

Preparing your jewelry before an evaluation can help the process go smoothly. Here's what to do (and what not to do).

Gather Everything

Collect all the items you're considering selling. Don't pre-judge — sometimes items you think are worthless turn out to be valuable. Bring everything; the buyer can tell you what has value.

Find Documentation

Look for any documentation: purchase receipts, appraisals, certificates (especially GIA diamond certificates), warranty cards, and original boxes. Having these can speed up the evaluation and sometimes increase value.

Don't Clean Antique Jewelry

If you have antique or estate jewelry, don't clean it before bringing it in. Cleaning can damage antique patina, remove historic finishes, or even reduce value. Leave pieces as they are.

Don't Repair Before Selling

For gold jewelry being sold for metal value, repairs are unnecessary — the value is in the gold content. For luxury watches, amateur repairs using non-original parts can reduce value. Leave repairs to the buyer.

Keep Sets Together

If you have a set (e.g., engagement ring with wedding band, or a watch with box and papers), keep everything together. Complete sets are often worth more than individual pieces.

Bring ID

New York City law requires a valid photo ID when selling jewelry. Bring your driver's license, passport, or other government-issued ID.

What Not to Worry About

Don't worry about: cleaning modern gold jewelry (a buyer can do it), untangling chains (the buyer can handle it), or finding the exact purchase date. These don't significantly affect value.

Ready to Sell?

At Arthurs Gold Market, we make the process simple. Bring your items and any documentation, and we'll provide a free, transparent evaluation. Call (929) 693-0335.