When you are looking for a piece of fine jewelry, you have many options. However, many people still rely on their local jewelry stores, despite there being a much better option, one that is available in almost every town and community all over the country. That option is the local pawn shop.
At Azusa Pawn, we have made it our mission to offer unbeatable deals when it comes to buying, selling, and pawning jewelry of all kinds, makes, and styles. Keep reading to find out just five of the many reasons why pawnshops win whenever it comes down to pawn shops versus jewelry stores.
1. Shopping is more fun at a pawnshop
Most jewelry stores tend to carry strikingly similar jewelry. This could be helpful if you know exactly what you are looking for and do not like the thrill of a treasure hunt, but it can also be very dull.
On the other hand, the business model of pawnshops means that our inventory is continually changing. This means that every time you walk into our shop or visit our online store, it is a new experience every time. You never know what you’ll find! We love helping customers unexpectedly discover their perfect item.
2. Pawn shops offer incredible prices and value
Pound for pound, pawnshops tend to offer better prices when you need to buy or sell jewelry. This is because, unlike jewelers, who focus on maximizing profit at every sale, pawnbrokers are more concerned with keeping their inventory moving. This gives your local pawnbroker the flexibility to negotiate a deal that works for everyone, which means that you can get an unbelievable price with a little research and effort.
3. Shopping at a pawn shop is good for the environment
A sad fact of the production of most jewelry that ends up in your local jeweler’s case is that the
process is often harmful to the environment. In many cases, jewelry production exploits vulnerable populations. For example, the mining of precious stones and metals often runs rampant, contributing to pollution and the depletion of finite resources like water, forestry, and fuel.
However, you can still enjoy fine jewelry without contributing to the problem by shopping at your local pawnshop. When you buy pre-owned jewelry, you decrease the demand for new items and help save valuable resources.
4. The selection at your local pawn shop can help you develop your style
An easily overlooked benefit of buying pre-owned jewelry is the opportunity to find one-of-a-kind pieces that will become part of your unique style. Throughout the years, each era of jewelry featured unique characteristics and types. So, the pieces you choose are a way for you to bring the past to life and make it something new and all your own.
5. Pawnshops offer a part of history
While brand new jewelry can be impressive, it comes with a drawback that fans of vintage jewelry are well familiar with – it has no history! A big part of the fun of finding a unique piece of pre-owned jewelry is imagining where it was before you happened upon it.
Every piece of pre-owned jewelry features its personal history; not only that, but many older pieces were created using techniques that are no longer in use and will therefore never be reproduced.
Buying jewelry at your local pawnshop:
Now that we have reviewed only a few of the numerous reasons to choose your local pawn shop for all your jewelry needs, here’s how to get the most value for your money:
Do your homework
Look for pawn shops in and near your town that specialize in gold or jewelry. Also, visit active review sites such as Yelp or Google Reviews, and read some recent reviews. Pay extra attention to patterns in reviews of service to get a good idea of what you can expect, but keep in mind that it is essential to read multiple reviews to get a more complete picture.
Although you can never really know what kind of pre-owned jewelry you will find in your local pawnshop, do your homework to gain some general knowledge about how to spot high-quality jewelry. For example, learn how to spot genuine precious metals and gemstones. This kind of knowledge will be helpful in your search.
Be open-minded
Being open to creative thinking when buying pre-owned jewelry at your local pawn shop can be a win-win. For example, if you are looking for a ring with a specific stone, but all that is available is a necklace, you could purchase the necklace and have the stone set into a ring of your liking, or even one you design yourself.
When it comes to buying pre-owned jewelry, you should be more concerned with finding high-quality items and less concerned about their design or style. The foundation of any jewelry, from statement pieces to heirlooms, is high-quality materials and craftsmanship. Start there and let your imagination go wild.
Ask good questions
People are sometimes wary of buying jewelry at a pawn shop because they worry about buying fake metals and stones or buying stolen goods. At Azusa Pawn, we work hard to certify our jewelry’s legitimacy and quality and are happy to show you any proof of authenticity that we have. We also work with local authorities to ensure that we never accept stolen items. You are always welcomed to ask any questions about any item in our store, and you can rest assured that everything in our shop is one hundred percent legitimate.
At the end of the day, what matters most is that you find a piece of jewelry you love. Your local pawn shop is the place to do just that, where you will also find outstanding customer service and incredible value. If you are prepared, confident, and have an open mind, buying jewelry at your local pawn shop can be a much more rewarding experience than local jewelry stores. When you are ready to begin searching for jewelry without all the hassle that you’d find at your local jewelry store, visit us in person or online.