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Has Selling Your Gold Lost its Luster?

The last 3 years has shown crazy growth in the consumer gold re-sale market, when gold hit $1000/ounce people went nuts selling their gold and other precious metals. While the buzz surrounding the high gold prices has subsided, the price of the metal has continued to rise. In fact, at the time publication time of this article, gold has hit another milestone $1200/ounce. This opens the door for even further profit to be made from selling your unwanted valuables. I don't see the metal reaching heights much more than $1200, the economy is starting to turn around and eventually you may see investors become more enthusiastic about other investments. Most people have always considered Treasurey Bills the safest investment in the world, however the current government spending spree has killed the US dollar. So who knows maybe gold still does have legs but I personally don't see it going much further. With that being said, I think now is the time to clear out the valuables that are collecting dust and take advantage of the high prices.Where do I sell My Old Gold?There are 3 different ways to sell your old or unwanted jewelry and gold items, pawn shops, TV Cash For Gold Businesses, and traditional jewelry stores. From what I've seen and experienced, the best way to sell your gold is to take it to your local trusted jeweler. Pawn shops have always been notoriously seedy places, usually owned by some character that you wouldn't want to meet in a dark alley. I just don't think these are places that most people want to spent any amount of time in, you'll also get less from these types of businesses. Cash For Gold TV guys are the worst place to sell your gold, all the studies that I have reviewed have demonstrated that they are the lowest paying outlets on the planet. What's left is the traditional jewelry store and I think you'll find that this really is the best choice for selling your items. The benefit of going to a jewelry store is that you'll be working with someone that has many years experience appraising jewelry and they'll have the skills needed to assess your valuables. In most cases, gold buying is only a sideline business for jewelers and they can afford to make less profit when reselling your items. This will give you assurances and peace of mind that you've received the most for your jewelry.What Items are Jewelers Looking For?Jewelers are normally looking for any item made in 10k gold, 14k gold, 18k gold, and platinum. Condition doesn't matter, it could be broken or damaged and you'll still get the full value of the gold. I will caution you not to make assumptions that will disappoint you. One assumption is that an item that is in "new condition" or has never been worn should bring more money than an older or used item. Truth be known, it doesn't matter what condition the item is in because the jeweler will most likely melt the item. Items that are of Interest• Pocket watches• Gold wrist watches• Gold chains and necklaces• Loose diamonds• Engagement rings• Wedding Rings• Silverware/Flatware• Gold coins• Silver coins• Rolex watches• Tiffany & Co itemsBy Andy Moquin
http://www.therealscooponbuyingdiamond.blogspot.com
http://www.andrewsjewelers.com
http://www.rokstok.com

See original: The Real Scoop on Buying Diamonds Has Selling Your Gold Lost its Luster?

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Choosing a Jeweler for Custom Jewelry Design

Like any other occupation or trade there are good jewelry craftsmen and there are bad ones. It is important to pre-screen your jeweler to determine if he/she is skilled at making custom designed jewelry. Ask to see their portfolio and examine their designs to determine if the flair they have for jewelry design matches your style requirements. Also, pay close attention to their communication and interpretation skills because much can get lost in the translation of your ideas if you're not careful. Once the jewelry is made its too late to make changes and the typical jeweler will not re-make it again without added fees. At this point higher qualified and better skilled custom jewelry designers have moved to using 3D-CAD to create their designs. If you feel 2 jewelers are equally matched in aptitude and skills then you should choose the one that is using 3D-CAD design. You'll pay a little more to have your jewelry created in 3D-CAD but the final results will be amazing. The jewelry will look 1000% better than if it were hand carved and it will last much longer because of the precision of the jewelry model.By Andy Moquin
http://www.therealscooponbuyingdiamond.blogspot.com
http://www.andrewsjewelers.com
http://www.rokstok.com

See original: The Real Scoop on Buying Diamonds Choosing a Jeweler for Custom Jewelry Design

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Verragio ring style number INS-7023

Verragio ring style number INS-7023 available in white gold, palladium and platinum. This gorgeous ring is available at Rokstok.com with special package pricing. Call 1-888-296-4890 to get an instant price quote.By Andy Moquin
http://www.therealscooponbuyingdiamond.blogspot.com
http://www.andrewsjewelers.com
http://www.rokstok.com

See original: The Real Scoop on Buying Diamonds Verragio ring style number INS-7023

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Recently, reports have surfaced that indicate that diamonds being sold are being supplied with counterfeit grading lab reports. Work with trusted sources onlyBy Andy Moquin
http://www.therealscooponbuyingdiamond.blogspot.com
http://www.andrewsjewelers.com
http://www.rokstok.com

See original: The Real Scoop on Buying Diamonds

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Tacori Engagement Ring

This Tacori ring is made in platinum and set with diamonds, it can be made in 18k white gold. Rokstok.com is an authorized Tacori retailer and can be reached at 1-888-296-4890.By Andy Moquin
http://www.therealscooponbuyingdiamond.blogspot.com
http://www.andrewsjewelers.com
http://www.rokstok.com

See original: The Real Scoop on Buying Diamonds Tacori Engagement Ring

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Split Shank Engagement Ring

Split shank engagement ring made in 14k white gold and set with round diamonds. Can be ordered at www.andrewsjewelers.comBy Andy Moquin
http://www.therealscooponbuyingdiamond.blogspot.com
http://www.andrewsjewelers.com
http://www.rokstok.com

See original: The Real Scoop on Buying Diamonds Split Shank Engagement Ring

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Vintage 3 Stone Engagement Ring

This ring is a new style from Rego,its made in 14k white gold and has .60ct twt round diamonds. You can purchase this ring from www.andrewsjewelers.com or www.rokstok.comBy Andy Moquin
http://www.therealscooponbuyingdiamond.blogspot.com
http://www.andrewsjewelers.com
http://www.rokstok.com

See original: The Real Scoop on Buying Diamonds Vintage 3 Stone Engagement Ring

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By Andy Moquin
http://www.therealscooponbuyingdiamond.blogspot.com
http://www.andrewsjewelers.com
http://www.rokstok.com

See original: The Real Scoop on Buying Diamonds

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GIA vs. EGL - The Real Truth about Diamonds Part 2

Recently, I’ve been getting a lot of responses and inquiries about the article that I wrote “GIA vs. EGL Certification – The Real Truth about Diamonds”. This article explored the many concerns that people have about which lab is better or which is more reputable. Not too long ago a women named Kim contacted me about a diamond she that we was considering, she loved it but she was worried that it wasn’t certified by GIA. Diamonds are priced using a net cost basis, meaning the supplier is going to sell his/her diamonds to the internet retailer or retail jeweler based on what he/she has paid for it and then adds a markup for the desired profit. The selling price for a diamond will not change based on the certification lab or the quality grade, it changes based on what the wholesaler has paid and then what the retailer adds as profit. Values for diamonds are almost always determined the moment a diamond is cut and polished - before the diamond is even sent to a lab. At this point it doesn't matter what EGL or GIA says about the diamond or how they grade it, the supplier already paid for the diamond and knows his cost. The markup will be the markup and that's the end of it. So what's my point? Ok, let's look at the following example: I purchase a diamond from my supplier and it hasn't been graded yet, in my head and based on my experience I think its an SI1-G. For our example I have purchased a 1.00ct round and I paid $3000 for the diamond. I would like to make a profit of 20% on my investment so I'm going to sell it for $3600. I send the diamond to GIA for certification and grading, it returns with an SI2-G quality grade. I then send the same diamond to EGL for certification and grading, it comes back an SI1-F. The million dollar question is which grading report is correct and how much will the diamond be sold for??????? The answers: Who cares!!!!!!-and-$3600 The value of the diamond doesn't change because the diamond hasn't changed, its still the same diamond. I won't price it any differently because I already know what I paid for the diamond and what I need to sell it for. I won't sell it for more because it was graded SI1-F by EGL and I won't sell it for less because GIA graded it SI2-G. In the end, diamond grading isn't an exact science and it gets you 90% of the way to making a decision. You really should rely on a diamond expert to review your purchase and act as a confidant when you select a diamond. By the way, a diamond's beauty isn't really affected that much by going 1 or 2 quality grades in either direction which is about as accurate and consistent as a grader can get. It's tough to say that any lab is 100% accurate all the time because the entire process is built on an imperfect grading system! All diamonds are certified and graded based on an "opinion", a machine doesn't spit out the grades - its all still done by humans then an opinion is formed. What you really want to know is that you're not getting a K colored diamond when you think you were getting an F,as an example. Grading labs will help you avoid "larger discrepancies" that would cause you harm, but you still need to rely on guidance from professional jewelers. Now to Kim’s question...If she purchases an EGL diamond and it happens to be 1 grade off what does it matter, it’s still thousands less than the GIA diamond??!!! Bottom line is that most people put way too much stock in the grading process and what grading labs say, it’s a very flawed system. I remember a time when grading labs weren't even used and when people actually trusted their jeweler's opinion and cared what the diamond looked like, not what was written on a piece of paper by someone they've never met. If you want to compare GIA and EGL diamonds you can go to www.rokstok.com You can call me anytime at 1-888-296-4890 and I will be happy to answer any questions that you have.Andy MoquinBy Andy Moquin
http://www.therealscooponbuyingdiamond.blogspot.com
http://www.andrewsjewelers.com
http://www.rokstok.com

See original: The Real Scoop on Buying Diamonds GIA vs. EGL - The Real Truth about Diamonds Part 2

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People ask me all the time to "knockoff" jewelry designers like Tacori, Tiffany, and Verragio. Keep in mind that this stealing plain and simple, don't do it.By Andy Moquin
http://www.therealscooponbuyingdiamond.blogspot.com
http://www.andrewsjewelers.com
http://www.rokstok.com

See original: The Real Scoop on Buying Diamonds

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