If you’re someone who wears gold jewelry, chances are you have a stash of miscellaneous gold items in your drawers or jewelry box collecting dust. They may be random broken pieces, single earrings or just pieces you no longer wear.

Well, they are worth taking a look at! Valuable pieces can be repurposed as new jewelry items, their assessed value may be put towards other jewelry purchases, or they can be sold for cash.

Considering selling your gold items?

Gold buying scams are common, so be careful and do your homework. Here are some tips:

• Choose accredited buyers. Check with the Better Business Bureau or consumer review sites. Gold parties (similar idea to Tupperware parties) and mail-in buyers may not give you the best price.
• Shop around. I suggest choosing locally owned stores because they generally pay the most, but you may want to take your pieces to multiple locations.
• Check the current gold prices. Look at various internet sites specifically in your country or local area.
• Know the weight of your items. Weigh your items before you visit a buyer. Use a good quality digital kitchen scale.

To save some footwork, companies like Creative Goldsmiths have “appraisal clinics”. In addition, their in-house award-winning custom design services can recreate your existing jewelry into a custom work-of-art, or restyle a sentimental piece into a more modern style. You can also check our Resource List of where to sell or donate your items.

There is no point in holding on to random pieces of jewelry that are of no use to you. More sterling silver than gold? The value is not as much, but it’s still worth investigating. Unused jewelry is netting you $0 just sitting in a drawer! So go have a look – you may have some real gems in there.

Featured image by Viktor Hanacek on PicJumbo.