How To Sell Your Jewelry on Consignment

Is your jewelry box overflowing with Chanel pendants and Tiffany earrings you no longer wear? Have you outgrown that Cartier tennis bracelet, but have no idea what to do with it? Is that Bulgari watch ticking away the hours in your closet drawer? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions then you ought to consider placing your old jewelry for sale on consignment. Many consignment boutiques specialize in new and antique jewelry and are constantly on the lookout for new pieces to add to their inventory.

You should begin your maiden voyage into the uncharted waters or consignment selling by visiting consignment shops which specialize in jewelry. A cursory perusal of Yellow Pages or of the top search returns on Google will help you discover the consignment shops in your area. Be careful not to rule out consignment shops that appear to sell mostly clothing, because many times these shops have a section devoted to jewelry.

When you visit the consignment shop, pay close attention to the types of jewelry they sell. Note whether they specialize in antique jewelry, in European brands like Schiaparelli or Raymond Weil, in boutique jewelry fashioned by local artisans, or maybe just in costume jewelry. Identifying the consignment vendor’s specialty is of paramount importance, as it will save you from time otherwise wasted in presenting jewelry in which the consignment shop will not be interested in.

When you do decide on a consignment shop with which to consign your jewelry, make sure to inspect each and every piece to ensure it is in nearly new condition. When preparing your jewelry for resale, follow these 4 hints:

1. Remove any buildup on gold or silver jewelry. Lotions, soap, grease, powder and body oils can make gold jewelry look dull. Use mild soap and water or jewelry cleaner to remove buildup.
2. Check for damage from bleach or householder cleaners containing bleach. The chlorine in bleach can tarnish gold and silver jewelry.
3. Look for cracked or bent prongs, or clasps that no longer work.
4. Examine necklaces and bracelets for kinked chains.

• A solution of one part ammonia and six parts water will clean your household jewelry. Let the jewelry soak in the solution for one minute, then drain and dry off with a soft cloth.
• An ultrasonic cleaner can also quickly and effectively clean jewelry. Diamonds hold up particularly well to ultrasonic cleaning. But be aware that ultrasonic cleaners can damage some jewelry by loosening settings and other details.
• Avoid using ultrasonic cleaners or other harsh methods on pearls or porous stones, such as rubies, emeralds, lapis lazuli, turquoise, amber and coral. Rather, wipe them clean with a soft cloth.
• Remove fingerprints, light grease and dirt from silver by adding mild liquid soap to half a cup of warm water and soak for two to three minutes.
• Remove excessive tarnish with a cotton cloth and a nonabrasive metal cleaner.
• Use a cotton swab to get at hard-to-reach spaces in intricate jewelry. Use a soft toothbrush to clean stones like turquoise.

1. They will either accept a lot of jewelry and pay cash right away,
2. Or they will take certain pieces on consignment.

If the resale boutique exercises the second method, you will have to wait until the piece has sold, to receive payment, which is typically 30 to 50 percent of the sale price. If your jewelry fails to sell after about ninety days or so, the consignment shop will ask you to come claim your unsold jewelry.

Should you decide to sell your jewelry online, make sure the photographs you use to present your jewelry are of high quality. Also make sure your jewelry is polished and wiped clean with a lint-free cloth. Following these 6 rules will help you take high-quality, creative photographs of your consignment items:

1. Use a scanner to produce high-quality pictures. Scanners work best for jewelry that is two-dimensional. To produce a high-quality scan of your jewelry, lay it flat on the scanner glass.
2. Use a camera to produce high-quality three-dimensional pieces. You’ll need a macro lens to capture the details and depth of field of your jewelry.
3. Experiment with black velvet, denim, muslin, fur, cheesecloth or scrapbooking paper to create an attractive background for your jewelry.
4. Consider using someone to model your jewelry. Photographs of models wearing your jewelry will help customers imagine how the jewelry might look on them.
5. Use props to complement your jewelry. Seashells and flowers make especially fetching props.
6. Use photoshopping software to touch up photographs of your jewelry. Increase contrast and sharpen the photo for best effect. Crop out any unnecessary details.

The descriptions accompanying the photographs of your jewelry should be as detailed as possible. Include details about the quality of the stones and metals used in the piece. Make sure to discuss the size and weight of the jewelry you wish to consign online. And be as honest as possible about flaws: in your description. Note details about dents, scratches and missing stones. Include pictures of any flaws. It is expensive and time consuming to return items purchased online, so save customers potential aggravation by being as detailed as possible in your description of your jewelry’s imperfections.

Consigning you jewelry can be a lucrative side business. You’ll be able to rid your jewelry box of those Harry Winston, Mondera and Rolex pieces that no longer thrill you while earning money toward future purchases that will. You might even catch the consignment fever, and find yourself visiting estate and rummage sales in search of valuable contemporary and vintage jewelry to consign. But whether you consign jewelry as a fun hobby or as a side business, there is no down side to consigning your jewelry.