What to Know About Selling Gold

The United Kingdom’s recent announcement that it’s leaving the European Union has added to economic uncertainty but helped drive the price of gold and other precious metals up to new heights. On July 6, gold prices soared to more than $1,350 an ounce—its highest amount in 28 months. Is it time to sell your gold? Here’s what to know before you do. Gold price information courtesy of sputniknews.com.

What kind of gold sells?

The kind of gold you can sell ranges from inexpensive gold trinkets to solid gold coins to fine jewelry and even dental gold. A jeweler, pawn broker, gold refiner, or scrap gold dealer will buy the gold at a price based on the weight of its gold content, minus a handling fee. The purer the gold content, the more it’s worth.

When assessing your jewelry, consider the condition of your gold pieces, and if other people would be interested in buying and wearing it. The better condition yours is in, the more likely it will sell for a good price. If a valuable piece looks too worn, consider selling it for the gold and silver it contains.

Make sure the buyer is legit.

If you’re thinking about selling your gold jewelry, the first and most important thing to do is to make sure the potential buyer is legitimate. A Google search for “sell my gold,” or something similar, returns thousands of hits. Almost every jewelry store, pawn shop, and flea market in the country is now buying gold, not to mention online buyers, and many are unlicensed and uncertified.

Like any business, the reputation of pawn shops and jewelry stores differ from shop to shop. Some are more professional and offer better prices than others.

Research multiple companies beforehand—ask plenty of questions and find out if they are a member of the National Pawnbrokers Association. Unless you know for certain that a company is legit, we recommend you don’t mail your jewelry out of town or to an unknown source, as you may never see it again.

Instead, take your pieces to two or three local buyers and get them appraised. Make sure the shop is a member of the National Pawnbrokers Association, and its appraisers are certified by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA).

If you have multiple pieces, you may want to get individual offers on each piece as one buyer may be willing to pay more for some items than others. Make sure you agree to the appraisal estimate and terms and conditions of the sale before agreeing.

Beware of scams.

While many jewelry buyers are legitimate, many more are not, especially if they only do business online. One of the most common online scams is when a company asks a seller to mail their valuables to them for an appraisal offer. The seller often ends up with nothing; either the buyer claims they never received the piece, or, after making an offer, they never return the piece and claim it was lost in the mail.

A second type of scam is when a buyer offers a price far below what the piece is worth. While this is an unfair business practice, it’s really the fault of the seller if they agree to the offer. That is why it’s so important to have an idea what your piece is worth new, as well as what it goes for in its existing condition.

Another gold buying scenario to be aware of is known as gold buying parties. These are gatherings or parties organized by a local sponsor. The sponsor invites their friends and family over to their house, where a “gold buyer” will appraise the guest’s pieces and offer appraisals and cash on the spot. These buyers often pay far under what the pieces are worth, which is how they make a profit. The sponsors also usually get a cut of the sales. Again, know what your pieces are worth and understand what the arrangement is between the sponsor and buyer.

Understand how gold is valued.



The purity of gold jewelry is indicated by its karat stamp. Most gold jewelry, especially antique pieces, are 14-karat, which means they are only about 58 percent pure and you will only receive about half its current gold value. A 24-karat gold piece is pure gold and will be worth approximately the current price of gold per ounce.

Generally, the gold content of any piece of jewelry—indicated in karats—will be marked on it somewhere such as the inside of a ring or bracelet, on the clip of a necklace, or the back of an earring. For example, a 14-karat piece of gold jewelry will have "14 karat" inscribed on it, or the numbers "585" (which is the numeric identification for 14-karat gold) or "14K." Be aware, however, that sometimes pieces are stamped even if they’re not real gold.

If there’s no karat stamp on the gold piece, it’s usually because it’s not real gold. In some instances, the karat stamp may have worn off. A quick way to test if a gold piece is real is to place it next to a magnet; if it sticks, then it’s not real gold.

Know your gold’s weight.

Whether you weigh it yourself or take it to an appraiser, make sure you know how much your gold weighs. Note that gold, silver, and other precious metals are measured in troy ounces (equal to 31.1034768 grams). Certain jewelers also use the term “pennyweight” when referring to precious metal, and a troy ounce equals 20 pennyweights.

Bring it to an appraiser.

To truly know your gold’s value, take it to a reputable jeweler to have it appraised, especially if it’s an heirloom. This will ensure that your piece will be appraised for its craftsmanship as well as its gold purity and weight. A reputable jeweler will also explain how your gold is weighed, and how you will be paid (dollar amount per gram, troy ounce or pennyweight) and explain the purity level of your gold.

Start with scraps of gold from broken jewelry pieces before you sell a more valuable item. That way you can personally gauge your reaction to the buyer, whether you felt that they treated you fairly and were trustworthy, and whether you should deal with them in the future with your better pieces.

Realize the market fluctuates.



The price of gold and silver changes daily based on various factors, including market demand, manufacturing supply, and the financial markets. It’s important to understand that the price you are quoted for a piece applies to the day that the piece is appraised and is based on the market value in the industry at that time.

All About Rubies Quiz

Think you know rubies?  Test your knowledge of July’s birthstone with our quiz! Answers are at the end, but don’t peek!

1. The word ruby is derived from what Latin word for red?
2. What does the Sanskrit word for ruby, “ratnaraj,” mean?
3. Ruby is the birthstone for July, as well as what astrological sign?
4. Ruby is the red gem quality form of the mineral corundum, the second hardest natural mineral known to mankind. What is the first hardest natural mineral?
5. What causes the red coloration of rubies?
6. What are all colors of corundum other than red known as?
7. What are pink shades of rubies known as?
8. On what wedding anniversary are rubies given?
9. The finest rubies in the world were once found in Burma in Southeast Asia. What is the country Burma called today?
10. Rubies from the legendary mines in Mogok often have a pure red color. What avian term is sometimes used to describe this color?
11. The most expensive ruby ever sold was an 8.62-carat, pigeon's blood cushion-cut ruby set in an 18-karat gold rectangular mount. How much did it sell for and where was the auction?
12. In ancient times, ruby was thought to give its wearer what?
13. True or false: Rubies are considered more valuable than top-quality diamonds.
14. At the end of the movie The Wizard of Oz, Glinda the Good Witch of the North tells Dorothy she can return home to Kansas by clicking the heels of her ruby slippers together three times and repeating what phrase?
15. In 1960, how did scientist Theodore Maiman change the world with a ruby?

Ruby quiz answers:

1. The word ruby comes from the Latin for red, “rubeus,”  “ruber,” or “rubens.”
2. The Sanskrit word for ruby is “ratnaraj” which roughly translates to “king of the gems.”
3. Ruby is also the gemstone for the astrological sign of Capricorn.
4. The diamond is the first hardest mineral with an absolute hardness of 1600, four times more than corundum, which has an absolute hardness of 400.
5. Trace amounts of the element chromium is what causes rubies to appear red.
6. Colors of corundum other than red are called sapphires.
7. Rubies in shades of pink are simply referred to as pink sapphires.
8. Rubies are traditionaly given to celebrate both the 15th and 40th wedding anniversaries.
9. Today, Burma is known as Myanmar.
10. The color of the pure red rubies from the mines of Mogok is sometimes referred to as "pigeon'sblood.”
11. The most expensive ruby ever sold at auction was purchased at Christie’s in 2006 for a reported $3.6 million.
12. Ruby was thought to give its wearer good health, wisdom, wealth, and success in love.
13. True. Flawless top-quality rubies are more valuable and rarer than top-quality colorless diamonds.
14. To return to Kansas, Dorothy must click her heels three times and repeat, "There's no place like home."
15. Theodore Maiman invented the world's first laser, known as the "ruby laser" in 1960. The first generation of lasers were solid state using a ruby crystal.

The Appeal of Pearls and Other Interesting Facts

What is it about pearls that appeals to us so? Maybe it’s because fine natural pearls are so rare? Or that we associate them with class, royalty and femininity? George Kunz says, “The pearl, like a lady of old, pure and fair to look upon, is the emblem of modesty and purity.” Whatever your reasons, here are some interesting facts about this mysterious and beloved orb.

The pearl was adopted by the American National Association of Jewelers in 1912 as the official birthstone of June, along with alexandrite and moonstone. Pearls are also the birthstone for the sun signs of Gemini and Cancer, and are traditionally given as a 30th wedding anniversary gift.

Pearls are organic gems created when a tiny irritant, usually a parasite, enters a mollusk, such as an oyster, mussel, or clam. Annoyed by this foreign invader, the mollusk begins coating it in a natural substance it produces called nacre (pronounced NAY-ker). Nacre is made up primarily of aragonite (a carbonate crystal) bonded with weaker materials, such as proteins and chitin. The oyster slowly coats the irritant in layers of nacre, over time forming a pearl.

Not all pearls are round, but perfectly symmetrical pearls are generally the most desired and expensive. Pearls are primarily found in oyster beds in the Persian Gulf, along the coasts of India and Sri Lanka, and in the Red Sea. Chinese pearls come mainly from freshwater rivers and ponds, whereas Japanese pearls are found near the coast in salt water.

It’s an interesting mechanical phenomenon how round pearls are created. When you look at a pearl up close under a microscope, it’s actually not smooth, but covered in tiny sawtooth-like steps or terraces. When a mollusk is forming a pearl, water molecules around the pearl warm up, pushing off the small terraces, causing a tiny amount of rotation in one direction. The oyster very slowly and naturally turns, like a ratchet, thus creating a round-shaped pearl.

There are essentially three types of pearls: natural, cultured and imitation. Because of today’s technology, there are many cultured pearls that are not only stunning to behold, they are affordable to the average jewelry fan. Natural pearls, on the other hand, have always been a rarity, and are an expensive indulgence usually reserved for the rich and famous. You can tell if a pearl is real by sliding it across your teeth. If it’s gritty, it’s probably real.

For some pearl perspective, in 1913, Pierre Cartier traded a single strand of 55 natural pearls valued at $1.2 million to banker Morton Plant in exchange for his mansion on Fifth Avenue in New York City! That same property is now Cartier’s U.S. flagship store at Fifth Avenue and 52nd Street.

While on their honeymoon in Japan in 1954, Joe DiMaggio presented Marilyn Monroe with a 16-inch, single-strand Akoya pearl necklace consisting of 44 Mikimoto pearls. The necklace has been shown around the world as part of a traveling exhibition sponsored by the American Museum of Natural History in New York, and the Field Museumin Chicago. It is currently owned by Mikimoto (America) Co., Ltd. as part of a valuable collection of pearls and pearl jewelry.

Many First Ladies have loved the simple yet classic elegance of pearl necklaces and bracelets. Barbara Bush was known for wearing her three-strand costume pearl necklace while in the White House. They became so popular that many companies created replicas and sold them as “First Lady Pearls” or “Barbara Bush Pearls.”

Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis loved her pearl necklaces and made them wildly popular while she was in the White House. Her signature piece as First Lady was a triple-strand faux pearl necklace designed by jeweler Kenneth Jay Lane. The necklace went on to sell for $211,500 at a Sotheby’s auction.

Shortly after her death in 2011, Elizabeth Taylor’s La Peregrina pearl necklace was sold at Christie’s “The Collection of Elizabeth Taylor” auction for $11.8 million — the highest amount any pearl has ever sold for at auction.

Pearls also have a rich history of mythology and lore attached to them. Cultured and freshwater pearls are considered to offer the power of love, money, protection, and luck. Pearls are also thought to give wisdom and keep children safe.

Ancient legend also associates pearls with fertility, and pearls still have a strong feminine energy today. Pearls were thought to be the tears of the gods, and the Greeks believed that wearing pearls would promote marital bliss and prevent newlywed women from crying.

Are you in the market for pearls? If you’re looking for a unique gift for a June birthday girl, or you’re looking for a strand of pearls for yourself, shop Adina’s Ebay store for stunning estate, vintage and antique fine jewelry, available at true wholesale prices. We have vast selection of pearl jewelry and we will deliver a buying experience that’s above your expectations.

Getting to Know Ametrine

One of rarest and most beautiful of the gemstones is ametrine, a bi-color combination of amethyst and citrine quartz. Read some interesting facts about the history and lore of ametrine, courtesy of the Gemological Institute of America.

People have used quartz in jewelry for thousands of years. When quartz displays the colors of amethyst and citrine in a single gem, the material is called ametrine or amethyst-citrine. The contrasting colors give it an intriguing appearance, and because the color zoning effect is natural, no two ametrines will ever be exactly the same.

Fine ametrine shows medium dark to moderately strong orange, and vivid to strong purple or violetish purple. Larger gems, usually those over five carats, tend to show the most intensely saturated hues.

Ametrine is popular among artistic gem cutters and carvers who play with the colors, creating landscapes in the stone. Cutters sometimes fashion ametrines as mixed cuts or brilliant cuts and use internal reflections to mingle the amethyst and citrine colors. Ametrine is also popular in free-form or fantasy cuts. Ametrine is often cut as a rectangular step cut because this style nicely displays the bi-color effect. Dealers look for an attractive half-and-half distribution of each color, with a sharp boundary between the two colors at the center of the fashioned gemstone.

Only one source

Ametrine’s only commercial source is the Anahi mine in Bolivia, a deposit in eastern Bolivia, close to the Brazilian border. Legend has it that a Spanish conquistador discovered the mine’s location in the 1600s and introduced the gem to Europeans when he presented several specimens to his queen. The mine had been given to him as a dowry when he married a native princess named Anahi.

After that, the mine was lost for more than three centuries. Rediscovered in the 1960s, the mine’s ametrine began appearing on the market again during the 1970s. Today the mine, named Anahi for the legendary princess, also produces natural amethyst and citrine.

The Anahi mine area is remote. Travel to and from the mine is limited to a flight in a small airplane or by a combination of roads and boats. Supplies and mine production move by boat. Knowing this, it’s understandable that the mine’s location was lost for centuries, and today ametrine is one of the rarest and most beautiful of all quartz gemstones.

Some people believe that ametrine, like other gems, contains special healing powers. It is said that ametrine is very helpful in treating depression and promoting inner peace and tranquility. Some believe that since it contains the powers of amethyst and citrine in one stone, it is a very powerful money stone as well as an excellent conduit to higher psychic awareness and spiritual enlightenment.

Source

Diamond Facts

Those born during the month of April have one of the most regal and desired gems as their birthstone: the diamond. Here are some interesting facts about diamonds you may not know.

Diamonds are a naturally occurring allotrope of the element, carbon. Diamonds are formed deep inside the earth’s interior when carbon is crystallized over a long period of time due to two factors: heat and pressure.

Diamonds were first mined in India around 800 B.C. Today, the four top diamond producing countries in the world are Australia, Zaire, Botswana, and Russia. Interestingly, Crater of Diamonds State Park in Arkansas is the only diamond-producing location in the world that allows the public to dig for and keep the diamonds they find.

Diamonds are appraised and priced based on a standard grading system by the Gemological Institute of America (the GIA). The grading system is known as “The 4 Cs” and consist of color, clarity, carat weight, and cut.

Diamond jewelry has gained fame as a result of its presence in legendary films. Marilyn Monroe famously sang “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend” in the 1953 film, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. Actress Jane Russell later sang the signature song in the same film, in court, while pretending to be Monroe’s character, Lorelei.

In the 1963 film, The Pink Panther, Peter Sellers played clueless police inspector Jacques Clouseau, on the trail of a jewel thief known as The Phantom. In the movie, “the largest diamond in the world” is called The Pink Panther.

And who can forget James Cameron’s movie Titanic starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet, in which the fictional blue diamond called “The Heart of the Ocean” is tragically lost to the ocean. 
Diamonds have also gained notoriety as a result of record-breaking auction sales. In December 2011, Elizabeth Taylor’s renowned jewelry collection was auctioned at Christie’s in New York. One of her most famous pieces was the Taylor-Burton diamond ring, given to her by husband, Richard Burton. The Taylor-Burton diamond is a 69.42 carat pear-shaped stone estimated to be worth $3.5 million. Taylor sold the diamond in 1978 following her divorce from Burton to fund her charity work.

On December 10, 2012 at the final lot of Christie’s “Magnificent Jewels” auction, a new world auction record was achieved for a reddish-orange fancy colored diamond. The rare 3.15 carat diamond is the largest reddish-orange diamond ever graded at the GIA, and sold for $2,098,500, setting a new per-carat record price of $666,200.

In the market for diamonds? Whether you’re looking for an engagement ring, a tennis bracelet, diamond stud earrings, or more, shop Adina’ eBay store for stunning estate, vintage and antique fine diamond jewelry, available at true wholesale prices. We have vast selection of certified diamonds and other gemstone jewelry for women and men, and we will deliver a buying experience that’s above your expectations.

All About Aquamarines

Happy birthday March babies! Your official birthstone is not only beautiful, it’s full of history and mythology. Here are some interesting facts about your birthstone, the aquamarine.

• In addition to being the birthstone for March and the Zodiac sign of Pisces, aquamarine is also the gemstone used to celebrate a 19th wedding anniversary.
• The aquamarine is a transparent pale blue variety of beryl (beryllium aluminum silicate) — the same mineral family that emeralds belong to.
• Like many beryls, aquamarine forms large crystals suitable for sizable fashioned gems and carvings.
• The word aquamarine is derived from the Latin phrase “aqua marinus,” meaning “water of the sea” because they are said to resemble the beautiful blue green of ocean water.
• Aquamarines were once said to calm waves and keep sailors safe at sea. March’s birthstone was also thought to enhance the happiness of marriages.
• Aquamarines come in a wide range of shades and colors, from pale sky blue to richer blue, and blue-green.  The rarest and most valuable aquamarines are those with a deep blue color.
• The best gems combine high clarity with limpid transparency and blue to slightly greenish blue hues.
• The color of aquamarine is due to trace amounts of iron that works its way inside the crystal. Most commercially sold aquamarines are heat treated to produce a more desirable blue-green color.
• Aquamarines have a hexagonal-shaped crystal system. They are pleochroic in nature, meaning they can show three colors, depending on the angle they’re viewed.
• Like many gems, aquamarines are said to have metaphysical powers, including the ability to clear and cleanse, refresh and uplift the mind. They are also said to promote courage, calm, compassion, tolerance, love, communication, self expression, reasoning, intellect,  and connection to one’s higher self.
• Aquamarines are also said to aid in the healing of sore throats, swollen glands, 
calming nerves, improving vision, and cooling sunburns and fevers.
• The ancient Romans believed that Neptune, the god of the sea, obtained aquamarines from the jewelry boxes of the Sirens. Legend has it that Neptune gave aquamarines as a gift to the mermaids.
• Because of its bond with the sea, aquamarine is the gemstone of several sea
goddesses, including Aphrodite, also known as the Greek goddess of love.
• Aquamarines are also said to bring safety to sailors, who are known to wear aquamarine talismans engraved with the likeness of Neptune, as protection against dangers at sea.
• Aquamarines are mined in exotic locations  including Nigeria, Madagascar, Zambia, Pakistan and Mozambique, but most modern aquamarines come from Brazil.
• One of the largest aquamarines ever mined weighed 110.5 kg (243 lbs). It was found in 1910 in Marambaia, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
• In the United States, the only location where you can mine for aquamarines is Mount Antero in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. The elusive gem is said to be found at altitudes of 14,000 feet or more!

Popular Valentine's Day Gifts

Wondering what to give your loved one for Valentine’s Day? Take a look at the most popular Valentine’s Day gifts in the U.S., according to a survey from the National Retail Federation (NRF).
 

Not surprisingly, romantic standards such as candy and flowers are still among the most popular Valentine’s gifts given. Flowers are still number one among men, while women prefer to give greeting cards or candy to their spouses, friends or family members.
Here are the percentages of what American men and women over age 18 gave in 2014.
Greeting cards

44% men
58% women

Candy
47% men
50% women

Flowers
61% men
15% women

An evening out
39% men
36% women

Jewelry
29% men
9% women

Clothing
14% men
18% women

Gift cards
11% men
17% women

What people are spending
The NRF did a Valentine’s Day Consumer Spending Survey https://nrf.com/media/press-releases/cupid-shower-americans-jewelry-candy-this-valentines-day last year, conducted by Prosper Insights and Analytics. According to the results, the average person celebrating Valentine’s Day planned to spend $142.31 on candy, flowers, apparel and more, up from $133.91 in 2014, and total spending was expected to reach almost $19 billion.

While most (53.2%) plan to buy candy for the sweet holiday, spending a total of $1.7 billion, one in five (21.1%) plans to buy jewelry for a total of $4.8 billion, the highest amount seen since NRF began tracking spending on Valentine’s gifts in 2010.

Additionally, 37.8 percent will buy flowers, spending a total of $2.1 billion, and more than one-third (35.1%) will spend on plans for a special night out, including movies and restaurants, totaling $3.6 billion. Celebrants will also spend nearly $2 billion on clothing and $1.5 billion on the gift that keeps on giving: gift cards.

The survey found nine in 10 (91%) plan to treat their significant others/spouses to something special for the consumer holiday, with plans to spend an average of $87.94 on them, up from $78.09 last year. Additionally, 58.7 percent will spend an average of $26.26 on other family members and $6.30 on children’s classmates/teachers. A record one in five (21.2%) say they will include Fluffy and Fido in their Valentine’s Day gift-giving plans, looking to spend a mere $5.28 on average – which equates to a whopping $703 million on pint-sized gifts of all varieties.

Discount (35.2%) and department stores (36.5%) will be among the most visited locations for those looking for the perfect Valentine’s Day gift, as will specialty stores (19.4%) and florists (18.7%).

One-quarter (25.1%) say they will shop online and 13.3 percent will shop at a local or small business to find something unique for their loved one.

Men will spend nearly double what women plan to spend ($190.53 versus $96.58 on average, respectively.) Additionally, adults 25 to 34 will outspend other age groups at an average of $213.04; 35 to 44 year olds will spend an average of $176.21, and 18 to 24 year olds will spend an average of $168.95.

Looking for a unique, special gift for your Valentine? Shop Adina’s eBay store for stunning estate, vintage and antique fine jewelry, available at true wholesale prices. We have vast selection for women and men, and we will deliver a buying experience that’s above your expectations.