Somebody close to you passed away and left behind jewelry. Maybe a lot of it. Maybe just a few pieces. Either way, you're now the person holding a bunch of stuff you didn't ask for and probably don't want.
This is awkward to talk about. Nobody wants to feel like they're cashing in on a death. But keeping jewelry in a box because you feel guilty about selling it doesn't honor anyone. It just means the jewelry sits there.
Here's how to think about it clearly.
First, take your time
There's no rush. Gold doesn't expire. Silver doesn't rot. If you're still in the middle of dealing with everything, put the jewelry aside and come back to it when you're ready. Weeks, months, whenever.
The only thing we'd say is: don't throw anything away. We've seen people toss costume jewelry that turned out to have real gold clasps, or discard silverware that was actually sterling. When in doubt, keep it.
Figure out what you actually have
Most people who inherit jewelry have no idea what's real and what's costume. That's normal. Here's the quick version:
Look for stamps. Gold is usually marked 10K, 14K, 18K, or 24K. Sterling silver says "925" or "Sterling." Platinum says "PLAT" or "950." If you don't see any markings, it might still be real. Older pieces weren't always stamped.
Don't try to figure this out yourself with internet guides and magnets. Bring it to someone with a testing machine. We test everything for free, and you're not committing to sell anything by walking in.
What about sentimental pieces?
Keep them. Seriously. If your mom's wedding ring means something to you, it's not about the money. Keep it, wear it, put it somewhere safe.
The stuff to sell is the stuff you'll never wear, never look at, and that doesn't carry a memory. The random chains, the mismatched earrings, the class rings, the dental gold. That's where most of the value usually is anyway.
What to expect when you bring it in
You walk in with a bag of jewelry. We sort it by metal type. We test each piece for purity. We weigh it. Then we make you an offer based on today's spot prices.
The whole thing takes 15-20 minutes for a typical collection. Larger estates might take a bit longer. We pay cash on the spot if you accept.
If you don't like the number, you take your stuff and leave. No hard feelings. We'd rather you get a second opinion than feel pressured.
One more thing
If you're an executor or attorney handling an estate, we can provide written appraisals for probate purposes. Just let us know when you come in.
Cash 4 Gold Trading Post has 6 locations across Central New Jersey. Walk in Monday through Saturday, no appointment needed.
- East Brunswick: (732) 898-6565
- Middlesex: (732) 629-7600
- Millstone: (732) 444-2022
- Brick: (732) 444-2094
- New Brunswick: (732) 543-1313
- Manalapan: (732) 444-2022
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