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!