William LipovskyUnlike precious metals, such as gold and platinum, determining the value of pearls may not be so straightforward. Different types of pearls range greatly in value, and it is difficult for an untrained eye to determine the differences between them. Keep reading to discover what you may need to know before selling your pearls and who buys pearls.
Table of Contents
What to Know About Pearls
Types of Pearls
Natural Saltwater Pearls: Saltwater pearls are created naturally within oysters living deep in the ocean. Because natural pearls were harvested so much in the 18th and 19th centuries, they are extremely rare and extremely valuable – today.
Cultured Saltwater Pearls: Cultured saltwater pearls are grown by humans from oysters. Still, oysters only produce a maximum of two pearls each. Furthermore, not all oysters will create pearls, and not all pearls created will be of high quality. Therefore, this type of pearl is rare and highly valuable.
Freshwater Pearls: Similar to cultured saltwater pearls, freshwater pearls are grown by humans within oysters in rivers, lakes, and ponds. This type of pearl is not as valuable as cultured saltwater pearls but, depending on the rarity and quality, can still be highly valuable.
Imitation Pearls: Imitation pearls are usually just a glass coated bead. The luster (shininess) is high but doesn’t have much depth. It isn’t difficult for professionals to determine what is an imitation pearl and what isn’t. This type of pearl is not of high value.
More information on types of pearls can be found on the American Gem Society website.
How to Determine the Value of Pearls
Pearl prices vary greatly; for example, a single strand of natural pearls could be worth between $300 and $1,500. Unlike gold, it takes an expert eye to determine the type and value of a pearl. Contact an appraiser near you to determine the authenticity of your pearls. If you have a receipt, certificate, or another document proving the authenticity of your pearls, you’re one step ahead! Having these documents will streamline the process of selling your pearls.
Do you have other types of jewelry you’d like to sell? Check out our articles, Jewelry Stores That Buy Jewelry, Gold Buyers Near Me? Where to Sell Gold in Person, and Where to Sell Broken Jewelry.
Where to Sell Pearls Online
Many of the nation’s largest jewelry chains do not buy pearls, so for may sellers, it is often best to look for online buyers.
1. Craigslist
- How to sell: Post your ad by selecting your city, then “post to classifieds,” then select “for sale by owner,” and then “jewelry – by owner.” From there you can fill out a more detailed form. Wondering how to price your pearls? Most of the places we’ve listed in this article will appraise your jewelry for free, even if you don’t even up selling your jewelry to them!
- How you’re paid: You decide how you’re paid! Just state in your ad whether you prefer PayPal, cash, check, etc.
- Create your ad
2. eBay
- How to sell: Register for an account, create a listing, and include specific details about your pearls. Based on similar items for sale, ebay will actually go as far as suggesting an auction price for you.
- How you’re paid: Most payments are electronic, but you can select your payment options when creating your listing.
- Find out more
3. Luxury Buyers
- How to sell: Call or email ([email protected]) a description of your pearls to get a free estimate. If you approve of the initial estimate, Luxury Buyers will send a prepaid overnight shipping label. Within 48 hours of your inquiry, you will receive a final offer.
- How you’re paid: Wire transfer or check
- Find out more
4. Windsor Jewelers, Inc.
- How to sell: As mentioned previously, you can sell to Windsor Jewelers at their New York store, but you can also sell online. Get a quote by filling out a quote request form. Windsor Jewelers will then send you an email with instructions and a FedEx label, allowing you to send your pearls to their office free of charge. After evaluating your pearls, they will contact you with an official offer.
- How you’re paid: Check or bank transfer.
- Find out more
5. Worthy
- How to sell: Complete the registration form and describe your pearls to receive an initial estimate. You will then receive a prepaid shipping label. Send off your pearls so they can be examined at the GIA laboratory located near Worthy’s office. You and buyers interested in bidding on your jewelry will receive an e-Diamond report, including professional photos of your jewelry. The last step is to wait for offers to come in and accept one!
- How you’re paid: PayPal, bank transfer, or check.
- Find out more
Where to Sell Pearls In-Store
Most large jewelry retailers do not buy pearls. Therefore, your best bet is to head to your local jeweler and ask if they buy pearls. We’ve provided a list of local jewelers located in some of the nation’s larger cities, but you can also search for jewelers near you on the Jewelers of America website, which represents more than 8,000 jewelers throughout the U.S.
1. Arden’s Jewelers
- Location: Sacramento, CA
- How to sell: Just stop in the store for a free appraisal of your pearls.
- How you’re paid: Cash
- Find out more
2. Carreras Jewelers
- Location: Richmond, VA
- How to sell: Carreras will appraise and purchase jewelry on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Appointments aren’t necessary but call ahead at (804) 673-1967 to be safe.
- How you’re paid: Cash or store credit. If you choose store credit as payment, you will also receive a 25% discount.
- Find out more
3. Coin Mart Jewelry
- Location: San Diego, CA
- How to sell: Bring your pearls into the store. Coin Mart will appraise the value of your pearls and offer their price immediately.
- How you’re paid: Cash
- Find out more
4. Hannoush Jewelers
- Locations: Danbury, Enfield, Farmington, Gulford, Manchester, and Wallingford, CT.
- How to sell: Simply pop into one of their stores with your pearls in hand.
- How you’re paid: Cash
- Find out more
5. The Jewelry Buyers
- Locations: Phoenix, AZ (Ahwatukee), Phoenix, AZ (Scottsdale), and Tempe, AZ.
- How to sell: Fill out an evaluation form describing your pearls. The Jewelry Buyers will then call or email you, whichever you choose in your form, to explain the value of your pearls. After the initial phone or email conversation, you can bring your pearls into one of their three stores to be examined.
- How you’re paid: Cash
- Find out more
6. LaRog Brothers
- Location: Tigard, OR and Clackamas, OR.
- How to sell: Bring your pearls to the store nearest you. Your pearls will be evaluated on the spot and if they meet LaRog Brothers’ criteria, you will receive an offer.
- How you’re paid: Cash
- Find out more
7. Windsor Jewelers, Inc.
- Location: New York, NY
- How to sell: They will evaluate your pearls in a private room and offer their price accordingly. No appointment is necessary; however, you can shoot them an email with photos of the pearls you’d like to sell before you visit the store.
- How you’re paid: Check or bank transfer.
- Find out more
8. William Penn Jewelers and Watchmakers
- Location: Pittsburgh, PA
- How to sell: Call (412) 521-7364 to speak with William Penn’s master jewelers about selling your pearls.
- How you’re paid: Cash
- Find out more
9. Wixon Jewelers
- Location: Minneapolis, MN
- How to sell: Appointments aren’t necessary but are an option. You can schedule an appointment online. If you don’t make an appointment, you can go to a story Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. to have your pearls appraised. Upon evaluation, you will receive an offer for your pearls.
- How you’re paid: Cash
- Find out more
Other Options for Selling Pearls
You may also have luck selling your pearls at auction or at a pawn shop:
1. Auctions
Auctions can be risky because the end price is unknown, but you may be rewarded for such a gamble. If you have old pearls that have been appraised at a higher value, selling them at an auction might be the way to go! Do a quick Google search to find auction houses near you.
2. Pawn Shops
Check with your local pawn shops to see if they buy old pearls.
Discover more about selling your jewelry at a pawn shop through our article, What Do Pawn Shops Buy?
In Summary
Pearl buyers are not as widely available as precious metal jewelry buyers, but there is still a market for natural saltwater, freshwater, and cultured saltwater pearls. Get an appraisal of your pearl jewelry, and then consider local jewelers, online buyers, auction sites, and pawn shops when you’re ready to sell.
If you would like to get paid to your pearl knowledge, see our article, How to Become a Pearl Consultant.
Kait Scirri
Brenna Swanston
Erika Crawford
Cathy Desmet
Lindsey Desmet
Loren Eaton
Joseph Cho
Maria R. Riegger, Esq.
