Sell Necklaces for Cash:
What to Know Before You Sell
Can you sell a necklace for cash online? Yes. Sell Your Gold purchases eligible gold, silver, and platinum necklaces, including many chains, pendants, diamond and gemstone necklaces, and designer or estate pieces. Necklaces may still have value when they are broken, tangled, scratched, outdated, or no longer wearable.
What a necklace is worth depends on more than its appearance. A professional, free evaluation may consider its metal type, purity, precious-metal weight, current market prices, brand, and other item-specific characteristics.
See the broader list of jewelry Sell Your Gold buys before requesting an appraisal.
IN SHORT Do not discard a necklace because its clasp is broken, the chain is tangled or the purity mark is difficult to read. Leave pendants and stones attached and have the complete item professionally evaluated.
What Types of Necklaces Can You Sell?
Eligible necklaces may include both simple precious-metal chains and more complex jewelry with pendants, diamonds or gemstones. Examples include:
- Gold, silver and platinum chains
- Pendant and charm necklaces
- Diamond and gemstone necklaces
- Chokers, collar necklaces and bib necklaces
- Rope, box, curb, Figaro, cable and herringbone chains
- Designer, vintage, antique and estate necklaces
- Broken, tangled or damaged necklaces
A necklace does not need to be new, fashionable or in wearable condition to be evaluated. Eligibility and value depend on the actual materials and characteristics of the item.
What Determines the Value of a Necklace?
There is no single price for every necklace. Two pieces that look similar can receive different offers because their composition, weight, construction, and additional features differ.
Metal Type and Purity
Gold, silver and platinum have different market values. Within each metal, purity also matters. Gold necklaces may be marked 10K, 14K, 18K or with fineness marks such as 417, 585 or 750. Sterling silver is commonly marked 925, while platinum jewelry may carry marks such as 900, 950 or PLAT.
A hallmark can be useful, but it is not conclusive on its own. Marks can be worn, missing or inaccurate, so professional testing may be needed to identify the metal and purity.
Precious-Metal Weight
The amount of eligible precious metal in a necklace is an important part of its value. Evaluators consider precious-metal weight together with purity rather than treating the necklace's total weight as pure gold, silver or platinum.
Construction can also matter. For example, a hollow chain may look substantial while containing less metal than a solid chain of similar dimensions. Clasps, solder, stones, and non-precious components can also affect the relationship between total weight and precious-metal content.
Current Market Prices
Precious-metal prices fluctuate throughout the trading day. The applicable market price helps establish the value of a necklace's metal content, but the quoted spot price is not a guaranteed purchase price for a finished piece of jewelry.
Learn more about how Sell Your Gold calculates an offer.
Diamonds, Gemstones, Brand and Design
Some necklaces may be worth more than their precious-metal content alone. Depending on the item, an evaluation may also consider diamonds, designer or manufacturer, documentation and secondary-market demand.
A branded, antique or highly marketable necklace may therefore be evaluated differently from ordinary scrap jewelry with the same metal purity and weight. These characteristics do not guarantee an additional premium; they must be assessed item by item.
Can You Sell a Broken or Tangled Necklace?
Yes. A broken clasp, snapped chain, missing link, knot or other damage does not necessarily eliminate a necklace's value. The precious metal may still be valuable, and diamonds, gemstones, brand or design may also matter.
Do not repair, solder or aggressively untangle a necklace before appraisal. Unnecessary handling can cause additional damage, especially when the chain is fine, hollow or set with stones. Place the necklace in a separate small bag or padded container so it does not catch on other items during shipping.
Should You Remove a Pendant or Stones Before Selling?
Generally, no. Leave pendants, charms, diamonds and gemstones attached so the complete necklace can be evaluated. Removing components can damage the setting or chain and may eliminate identifying features that contribute to value.
If the necklace has a grading report, designer documentation, receipt or original packaging, include it when appropriate. Documentation may help identify the piece, but it does not guarantee a particular offer or replace professional evaluation.
How to Prepare a Necklace for Appraisal
A necklace does not need professional cleaning or repair before evaluation. To protect it and preserve useful characteristics:
- Leave pendants, charms and stones attached
- Photograph the necklace and any hallmarks before packing
- Place each necklace in a separate small bag or padded container
- Keep available receipts, certificates and branded packaging with the item
- Do not use acid, scratch or other destructive at-home tests
- Avoid harsh cleaners when the metal or gemstones are unknown
If a necklace is tangled, do not force the knot apart. A professional evaluator can examine the item in its current condition.
How to Choose a Necklace Buyer
Before sending a necklace to an online buyer, confirm that the buyer can evaluate the complete piece rather than only its gross weight. Compare:
- Precious-metal and jewelry appraisal experience
- Testing and evaluation methods
- Whether diamonds, gemstones, brand and design are considered when relevant
- Shipping, tracking and insurance protections
- The deadline and cost for declining an offer
- Payment methods and the timing of payment issuance
- The exact eligibility requirements for any guarantee
- Independent customer reviews and business reputation
Compare actual written offers for the same necklace rather than relying on an unqualified promise of the 'highest offer,' a retail receipt, an insurance appraisal or an advertised percentage that may not apply to your item.
Review why customers choose Sell Your Gold, including information about the appraisal process, security procedures, reviews and payment options.
How to Sell Necklaces With Sell Your Gold
Sell Your Gold provides a nationwide mail-in appraisal process for customers who want to sell eligible necklaces from home.
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Request Your Free Appraisal Kit
Request a free Sell Your Gold Appraisal Kit online. There is no cost to request a kit, and requesting one does not commit you to sell your necklaces.
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Package and Ship Your Necklaces
Package each necklace so it cannot tangle with or scratch other items, then use the prepaid, insured and trackable FedEx shipping label provided by Sell Your Gold.
Qualifying shipments include standard protection against loss or damage for up to $5,000 when Sell Your Gold's required shipping procedures are followed. Additional insurance coverage of up to $500,000 is available for qualifying shipments with prior approval and compliance with the provided instructions.††
Review the packing and shipping instructions and call (888) 465-3860 before shipping if you need additional coverage.
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Receive a Professional Evaluation
After the shipment arrives, the necklaces are documented and evaluated. Depending on the item, the appraisal team may consider:
- Metal type and purity
- Precious-metal weight
- Current market prices
- Condition and construction
- Diamonds and gemstones
- Brand, design, age and documentation
- Other item-specific characteristics and market demand
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Review Your Offer
In general, Sell Your Gold provides an offer within one business day after receiving your merchandise. Review the offer promptly and decide whether to accept or decline it within the deadlines in the Terms and Conditions.
If you accept, Sell Your Gold will issue payment within one business day using your selected method: ACH transfer, PayPal or company check. Actual delivery time varies by method, provider and financial institution. If you decline within 10 days of receiving the offer, Sell Your Gold will return eligible merchandise at no charge, subject to the Terms and Conditions.
See the complete explanation of how selling with Sell Your Gold works.
Frequently Asked Questions About Selling Necklaces
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Can I sell a broken gold chain?
Yes. A broken gold chain may still have value based on its purity and precious-metal weight. Condition may affect any value beyond the metal content, but a broken clasp or snapped link does not automatically make the chain worthless.
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Can I sell a necklace without a hallmark?
Yes. A necklace does not need a visible purity mark to be evaluated. Hallmarks can wear away or be difficult to locate, and professional testing can help determine metal composition.
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Do diamonds or gemstones add value to a necklace?
They may. The type, authenticity, quality, size, condition and market demand for the stones can affect whether they contribute to an offer. Leave them in the necklace for evaluation.
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Should I separate a pendant from its chain?
Generally, no. Send the complete necklace unless Sell Your Gold gives you different instructions. Keeping the pendant attached allows the evaluator to consider the entire item and reduces the risk of damage or loss.
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Can I sell an inherited or designer necklace?
Yes, if the item is eligible. Keep any brand markings, receipts, certificates and original packaging with the necklace. Age, design, brand, condition and market demand may be considered when relevant.
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How quickly will I receive an offer and payment?
In general, Sell Your Gold provides an offer within one business day after receiving your merchandise. After you accept, payment is issued within one business day. Delivery time depends on the payment method and provider.
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What happens if I decline the offer?
If you decline within 10 days of receiving the offer, eligible merchandise is returned at Sell Your Gold's expense, subject to the Terms and Conditions.
Ready to Find Out What Your Necklaces Are Worth?
Request a free Sell Your Gold Appraisal Kit to securely send your eligible necklaces for professional evaluation.
Requesting an appraisal does not commit you to sell. If you decline within the applicable deadline, eligible merchandise will be returned at no charge, subject to the Terms and Conditions.††