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5 Reasons Why Buying Jewelry from a Pawn Shop is a Good Idea

5 Reasons Why Buying Jewelry from a Pawn Shop is a Good Idea

In recent years, buying pre-owned jewelry has become easier than ever before. As a result, when you are looking for a fine piece of jewelry, you have many options. From online stores to even high-end jewelers, you can find quality used jewelry almost anywhere. Before you visit your local retailer, however, there’s another option you should consider: your local pawnshop. Your local pawnshop is an underrated resource for pre-owned jewelry. At Central Mega Pawn, we’ve made it our mission to let our community know that we are here to help them. To that end, we have compiled five reasons why buying jewelry from a pawn shop is a good idea:

1. The fun of the treasure hunt

You never know what you’ll find when you walk into a pawnshop. Inventory is continuously changing, so you will find something new to you at every visit. We love seeing customers unexpectedly finding a perfect item.

2. Unbeatable prices and value

Pawnshops typically offer better prices than other sellers of used jewelry. This is because pawnbrokers are mainly interested in keeping items moving rather than maximizing their profit at every sale, as retailers do. This gives them the flexibility to negotiate to find a deal that satisfies everyone, which adds up to you getting an incredible price on a piece of jewelry that may last for generations.

3. It is environmentally friendly and socially responsible

A sad fact of jewelry production is that the process can often be taxing on the environment and vulnerable people. For example, mining precious stones and metals contribute to pollution and consume valuable resources like water, fuel, and forestry.

However, the good news is that you can still enjoy beautiful jewelry without contributing to the problem! By buying pre-owned jewelry, you decrease the demand for new pieces and help save irreplaceable resources.

4. It helps you develop your personal style

Another significant benefit of buying pre-owned jewelry is the opportunity to express your personal style. Every era of jewelry features unique characteristics and styles; the pieces you choose are a way for you to bring the past to life and make it something all your own. You can also find one-of-a-kind pieces at your local pawnshop that can act as conversation starters or complement your sense of style.

5. You will own a part of history

As beautiful as new jewelry can be, it has a significant drawback that fans of vintage jewelry are familiar with: it has no history. In our shop, we always have many pieces that are older than our staff! Some pieces were even crafted with knowledge and techniques that are not used anymore and will never be reproduced.

Every piece of pre-owned jewelry comes with its own personal history, as unique as the people who had it before you. Part of the fun of finding that one unique piece of used jewelry is the thrill of imagining where it was before it became part of your life.

People sometimes consider buying pre-owned jewelry as just a way to save some money. However, as you can see, savings is only one positive aspect of buying pre-owned jewelry at your local pawnshop.

How to buy jewelry at your local pawnshop:

Now that we have reviewed just a few of the very many great reasons to buy pre-owned jewelry at your local pawn shop, here’s how to get the most for your money:

Do your homework

Research the types of jewelry you would like to find, as well as the pawnshops you are considering buying from. Every pawnshop is unique, offering its own brands of customer service and merchandise. Look for pawn shops that specialize in gold or jewelry. For example, at Central Mega Pawn, we are only one of a few pawnshops nationwide to have a full-time jeweler on staff, so we are a great place to start your search.

Also, visit review sites such as Yelp or Google Reviews, and read some recent reviews. Keep in mind that it is impossible to please all customers every time, so be sure to read a handful of reviews. Look for patterns in reviews of service to get a good idea of what you can expect.

For your safety and comfort, pay attention to where the pawnshop is located and if they display their credentials and licensing in their shop or on their website.

Next, although you never know what kind of pre-owned jewelry you will find in a pawnshop, do your homework on some general jewelry knowledge. For example, learn how to spot genuine gemstones and gold. Being able to spot a great piece will come in handy in your search.

Be open-minded

Being open to creativity and imagination when buying pre-owned jewelry at your local pawnshop can significantly enhance your experience. For example, if you have your heart set on a ring with a particular stone but all you can find is a necklace, you could purchase the necklace and have the stone reset into a ring of your liking. This is something we often do for customers at Central Mega Pawn!

When it comes to buying pre-owned jewelry, be more concerned with the quality of the item and less concerned about how it looks. The foundation of any heirloom-quality jewelry is high-quality materials. Start there and let your imagination take over.

Be curious and ask questions

Sometimes, people are wary of buying jewelry at a pawnshop because they worry about finding genuine metals and stones. But pawnbrokers all over work hard to certify the quality of their jewelry, and many will be able to show you certifications or appraisals.

In cases where your pawnbroker cannot certify the item, use that to your advantage to try and negotiate for a better price. After all, you will likely want to take such an item to an appraiser, which your pawnbroker will understand.

When all is said and done, what matters most is finding a piece of jewelry that you love. Your local pawn shop is a place where that can happen. As long as you are prepared, confident, and have an open mind, buying jewelry at your local pawn shop can be a lot of fun. When you are ready to begin your search, visit us in person or online. We can’t wait to help you find that next addition to your collection!

Finding a Pawnshop in Ontario That Buys Broken Jewelry & Loose Gemstones

Finding a Pawnshop in Ontario That Buys Broken Jewelry & Loose Gemstones

If you have broken jewelry or loose gemstones lying around, you might be wondering if they have value, and if so, where you can sell or use them to obtain a quick and easy cash loan. You have many options, such as jewelry stores, auction websites, or person-to-person sales apps, but your best bet is a pawn shop. This is because pawn shops are valued members of their communities. Unlike chain retail stores, whose primary goal is to make the most profit for their corporation, or impersonal website, pawn shops are valued members of their communities. Pawnbrokers have a vested interest in helping their neighbors and have the flexibility to do so.

Finding a pawn shop in Ontario, California

Not every pawn shop is created equal. It is always the best bet to visit your local pawn shop, not the one with the most advertising that is far away or those that appear on popular television shows. No matter what kind of community you live in, there is a pawn shop near you.

For example, if you live in or near Ontario, California, you have many options because the Inland Empire is a relatively populous area. In fact, you might become overwhelmed by all of your options. However, there is an easy way to find the pawnshop for you in Ontario that is interested in and will buy your broken jewelry and loose gemstones.

First, do your research – google terms like “pawn shops near me,” and see which ones top the list. Then, look them up on Yelp or other review sites to see what people tend to say about working with them. If you notice a pattern of positive or negative experiences, that can be a good indicator of what you might expect from the shop. Use your info to make a shortlist of potential shops.

Then, contact the top contenders – any pawn shop worth your business will be glad to hear from you. You can call or email or even visit in person to see about their policies and if they would be interested in your broken jewelry and loose gemstones.

Lastly, go to a shop with expertise – many pawn shops specialize in particular types of items. For example, some tend to buy lots of antiques, while others specialize in tools. At Central Mega Pawn, we are proud to say that jewelry, precious stones, and metals are among our specialties. We have been serving our Inland Empire community for more than a decade, and we are one of a few pawnshops nationwide that employ an in-house jeweler. This means that we are a great place to sell or pawn your broken jewelry and loose gemstones.

Selling or pawning broken jewelry

Broken jewelry retains a lot of its value and can help you obtain a quick cash loan when you need a little financial boost. Unlike many other items found in a pawn shop, such as electronics or musical instruments, jewelry does not typically lose value as it ages.

The precious metals market determines the value of your broken jewelry. Although the market tends to have fluctuations, the value of precious metals and loose gemstones generally increases over time.

Our in-house jeweler will determine what kind of precious metal comprises your jewelry, including its purity. Then, they will weigh, measure, and assess any accompanying jewels. Based on the information they generate, your pawnbroker will make you an offer. You are free to accept the offer, decline the offer, try at another shop, or negotiate for better terms.

Loose gemstones

At Central Mega Pawn, we are always interested in buying your loose gemstones, from precious diamonds to more common but still valuable other types.

Although most loose gemstones will retain their value, not all gems are valued equally. So, as you consider selling or pawning your loose jewels at Central Mega Pawn, keep the following in mind:

  • There are four significant types of precious stones: diamond, ruby, blue sapphire, and emerald. These are the most valuable types of gemstones that we often see. They will always command a high price because they are stable in value and considered significantly precious.
  • Any other stone not mentioned above will be considered semi-precious. While they are still valuable, they will not fetch as high a price like a stone classified as precious.
  • Size matters, The larger your loose gemstones, the higher price you can expect.

How to get the most money for your broken jewelry and loose gemstones in Ontario

Now that we know some basics of how Central Mega Pawn will evaluate your broken jewelry and gemstones, here is how you can maximize your offer:

  • Gather all your pieces – no matter how many parts your jewelry has broken into, the more you can bring in, the better your chances of getting a fair offer for your items.
  • Do your homework – learning even a little bit about how jewelers appraise precious metals and stones will help you understand how much you can expect. Plus, it will help you be more confident when it comes time to negotiate.
  • Clean your items – do your best to clean every item you have. Generally speaking, for any item you wish to pawn or sell to a pawn shop, a good rule of thumb is that the cleaner it is, the easier it is for your pawnbroker to evaluate and resell, if necessary.
  • Have realistic expectations – this is where your homework will come in handy. Once you have an idea of the value of your broken jewelry or loose gemstones, understand that your offer will likely be a fraction of that amount, usually around 40-60%. Pawnbrokers are unable to offer an even exchange of any item.
  • Negotiate – The more homework you do, the more leverage you will have when it comes time to negotiate the best deal for everyone involved. Also, don’t be afraid to walk away if you are unable to reach ideal terms. Your jewelry will not decrease in value, and we are not going anywhere! You can try again later, or even at a different shop.

Put your broken jewelry and loose gemstones to work for you! Now that you are armed with the knowledge that Central Mega Pawn is your best bet for selling or pawning let us turn your unwanted broken jewelry and loose gemstones into cash in hand in minutes.