One of the most common items people bring to pawn stores in Wichita, KS, to sell or pawn is jewelry. Because the price you can get for your items depends on several factors, pawn store workers will test the jewelry they receive before making an offer.
So, how do pawn shops test jewelry? Our guide below breaks down precious metal authentication and more.
How Jewelry Testing Can Affect the Offer You Receive at a Pawn Shop
Part of how pawn shops work includes verifying the authenticity and value of the jewelry customers bring in. To determine an item’s worth, a pawnbroker may take several steps, including confirming the metal’s weight, testing its purity, and evaluating gemstones. They’ll also consider current market prices for precious metals like gold and silver.
For instance, if you bring in a gold ring with an imitation gemstone, the pawnbroker will evaluate both the gold and the stone. Since imitation gemstones typically have little resale value, the offer you get may reflect the value of the gold and the ring as a whole rather than the stone itself.
Jewelry Authentication Methods Pawn Shops May Use
How do pawn shops test jewelry? Here are some of the methods pawnbrokers may use.
Visual Inspections
The first thing the pawnbroker will do is visually inspect the item. They’ll carefully check the jewelry for hallmarks and stamps that could indicate the metal’s type and purity. An example of a hallmark for gold is a number followed by “k” for “karat,” indicating the percentage of gold in the piece.
Acid Tests
Pawnbrokers usually use acid for gold purity testing. First, they’ll use the jewelry to scratch a touchstone, and then they’ll put a small amount of a nitric acid solution on the mark the jewelry left on the plate. The way the gold particles react to the acid helps the pawnbroker authenticate the metal’s purity.
Electronic Gold Tester
Instead of using acid, an electronic gold tester uses a mild electrical charge to measure the resistance of the precious metal. The reading varies based on the metal’s composition. The pawnbroker will compare the reading to known resistance levels for different gold karats.
Diamond Testers
Pawn shops test diamonds and other gemstones differently than precious metals. Diamond testers help identify diamonds by measuring their thermal or electrical conductivity. Gemstones like emeralds and sapphires require other specialized tools or a professional appraisal.
Get a Fair Offer for Your Jewelry in Wichita
There is more than one answer to the question, “How do pawn shops test jewelry?” depending on the item. However, some testing is almost always necessary to determine the item’s value before making an offer or accepting it as collateral.
If you’re thinking about pawning broken jewelry or selling a piece you no longer want in Wichita, KS, consider A-OK Pawn and Jewelry. We’re one of the highest-paying pawn shops in the area.
To contact our location at 47th & Broadway, call (316) 529-8901, or call (316) 440-7445 to reach representatives at our Oliver location. You can also browse our online inventory if you’re looking to buy.