Let Me Tell You How I Actually Sold That Mega-Expensive Necklace
Okay, so, full disclosure? I never, ever thought I’d be the person selling a necklace worth more than my car. Seriously. But life happens, you know? Needed some cash flow, quick. Found this family heirloom tucked away – seriously expensive looking diamond thing. Figured it must be worth a fortune, right?
My First Move? Freaking Out, Then Googling.
Right, I had this shiny rock, no clue what to do. Started searching online like a maniac: “how to sell expensive jewelry,” “get ripped off selling diamond necklace”… you get the picture. Found forums, some scary stories about pawn shops taking advantage. Knew I needed to be smarter than that.
Step One: Found Out What The Heck It Was Actually Worth.
Couldn’t just walk in blind. Found this seemingly legit jeweler downtown, one specializing in estate stuff. Took the necklace in, super nervous. Dude looked at it under a huge magnifying glass thing for ages, then sat me down. Told me it was nice, real diamonds, good gold, but wasn’t some famous brand. Gave me a number – actually lower than I hoped! Heart sank a bit. Paid him a fee for this “appraisal.” Felt necessary, even if it stung.
Step Two: Okay, It Has Value… Now How To Get That Value?
Panicked a little again. Didn’t wanna use eBay or those random online jewelry buyers – too risky for something worth this much. Thought about consignment shops, but their fees were brutal and they were so slow. Knew pawn shops were a last resort. Seriously considered a jewelry auction house after more Googling, but their commissions felt huge too, plus they might not even want a single item.
Step Three: The Waiting Game (and Sketchy Offers)
Put out feelers. Told a couple of family friends who know rich people. Also got in touch with one boutique dealer recommended online (carefully!). Weeks went by. It sucked. Meanwhile, got a few emails through my contacts – some ridiculously lowball offers (“I’ll give you two grand cash today!”), one guy asking me to ship it first for “inspection,” which felt like a total scam red flag. Was starting to lose hope.
Step Four: Finally, a Break… But Then More Stress
Then, got a call from that boutique dealer. Said he had a private buyer interested. Got kinda hopeful! We had to meet in person again. Buyer brought his own diamond guy to verify everything right there in the shop. Took hours. Negotiating the price was… intense. They haggled hard, using flaws I didn’t even notice. Ended up settling for less than the appraised value, honestly, but still way more than the online losers offered.
Getting Paid Was Its Own Drama
Thought I was done? Nope! They wanted a bank wire transfer. Fine. But my bank freaked out over a large transfer coming in, wanted proof of sale, everything. Had to run around getting paperwork from the dealer to satisfy them. Absolute nightmare for a few days.
What I Wish I Knew BEFORE Touching That Necklace:
Seriously, selling this thing was way harder and messier than I imagined. Looking back:
- Appraisal Costs Money But Saved Me: Knowing the actual ballpark stopped me taking a terrible offer.
- Private Buyers Are Slow & Suspicious: You need patience and nerves of steel for sketchy offers.
- Everyone Takes a Cut: Be ready for fees – appraisal, dealer commission, whatever. That final price isn’t landing in your pocket.
- Banks Hate Big Money Moves: Get your docs in order for payment BEFOREHAND.
- It Might Take Months: Seriously, mine took nearly three months from “oh hey this thing” to cash cleared.
- It’s Exhausting: Emotionally and logistically. Just mentally prepare for it to be a real headache.
The whole thing ended okay, got the money I needed in the end. But honestly? Next time I see a super expensive necklace in a drawer? I might just leave it right there.
