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Estate jewelry comes into people’s possession in many ways, from inherited antique and vintage pieces to secondhand purchases at a fraction of their original price. But just as easily, it can change hands again, often through a sale to raise cash, and that requires understanding what a piece is worth before accepting an offer. This…

Plenty of diamond rings end up sitting in drawers or deposit boxes for years, no longer worn and often forgotten. At some point, they become an asset that serves no real value, unless converted into cash! Whether inherited or simply no longer wanted, many people wonder how to sell a diamond ring. What is it…

One of the most important decisions made when choosing the perfect piece of gold jewelry is the karat level. Gold comes in a range of purities, with the most common in fine jewelry being 10K, 14K, and 18K. ​ But which is better?​ The short answer is that there’s no best gold karat. The right…

People have always loved beautiful things, and jewelry sits at the top of that list. It marks big moments and means something most purchases simply don’t. Today, more shoppers want those purchases to reflect their values, too. Plenty of brands have taken notice, and “ethical” has become a common marketing claim. Not all of them…

When it’s time to either upgrade or sell their jewelry, people who have purchased jewelry from Kay Jewelers often wonder, “Does Kay Jewelers buy jewelry?” The simple answer is that Kay Jewelers does not operate a traditional in-store jewelry buyback program. However, the company offers two separate programs. Eligible diamond jewelry may qualify for its…

Money in imperial China worked a bit differently from that in Europe; instead of minted coins, the system relied on Chinese silver bullion. Value wasn’t stamped onto a coin; instead, it was calculated by weight and fineness. The standard measurement used for trade and taxes was the tael (liang), roughly 37 to 40 grams of…

People turn to estate jewelry for various reasons: a wedding ring that fits the budget, a search for something one-of-a-kind, or just the appeal of buying pre-loved over brand-new. Whatever the reason, shopping the estate market well requires knowing how to buy estate jewelry and what to look for. This guide covers what estate jewelry…

From bullion bars and sovereign coins to jewelry and collectible pieces, the “999” stamp appears throughout the precious metals market as a hallmark of extremely high gold purity. For anyone with a gold piece stamped “999,” this guide explains what that marking actually means, how much 999 gold is worth, how to determine its authenticity,…

Some links in this article may be affiliate links, meaning The Alloy Market may earn a commission at no additional cost to the buyer. Twenty years ago, many people may have balked at the idea of buying fine jewelry online. Today, however, purchasing jewelry online has become commonplace. What once felt unsafe or untrustworthy is…

Gold jewelry comes in many forms, but necklaces and 14K gold chains are among the most common pieces that everyday people own, which also makes them among the most commonly sold. Whatever the reason, many sellers still walk into the process without a clear idea of what their chain should realistically be worth, let alone…