Find Out Which Jewelry and Watch Brands Boast the Highest Resale Value (2024)

New York—Unsurprisingly, as Americans lost jobs or moved during the pandemic last year, they were consigning more goods via companies like The RealReal.

From the first half to second half of 2020, the average monthly volume of new consigners on the luxury resale site rose 28 percent.

Of those, the largest percentage, 35 percent, were in the Gen Z or millennial demographic, according to the company’s annual resale report, which shares insights from the year prior and makes predictions for the current year.

French brands garner consigners the most bang for their buck, the report shows, providing the highest resale value of all items consigned, meaning the closest to the item’s original retail price.

The top fine jewelry brand per resale value in 2020 was Van Cleef & Arpels, which ranked as the second highest brand in terms of resale value across all categories.

The No. 3 brand overall was Louis Vuitton, No. 4 was Hermès, and at No. 5 was Chanel.

While these brands may have fine jewelry, high jewelry and/or watch collections, they boast large handbag and other accessory sales, so their results can’t be attributed to the jewelry and watch categories alone.

However, other jewelry- and watch-specific companies also made The RealReal’s top 10 list.

No. 6 was Rolex, followed by Patek Philippe at No. 7. Cartier, meanwhile, ranked No. 9.

The RealReal noted that Patek Philippe made the largest jump on the list this year, moving up three spots.


Find Out Which Jewelry and Watch Brands Boast the Highest Resale Value (1)
(Graphic courtesy of The RealReal)

As the graphic above illustrates, proven, classic jewelry and watch items that are widely recognizable are in highest demand at the secondhand seller.

Van Cleef & Arpels’ “Alhambra” collection sells for 86 percent of its original retail price on average, and 90 percent of pieces sell within 30 days.

The Cartier “Love” collection sells for 78 percent of its original retail price on average, while the Tiffany & Co. “T” range earns 69 percent of its original retail price.

But contemporary independent brands are also gaining recognition amid the company’s savvy network of consigners and shoppers (53 percent of consigners also shop at The RealReal).

Suzanne Kalan’s average sale price has increased 25 percent year-over-year. Mizuki’s has increased 15 percent year-over-year, and Temple St. Clair’s has increased 12 percent year-over-year.

Foundrae is one of the company’s hottest contemporary fine jewelry brands, the report shows.

One-hundred percent of Foundrae pieces sell within the first 30

Find Out Which Jewelry and Watch Brands Boast the Highest Resale Value (2024)

FAQs

Find Out Which Jewelry and Watch Brands Boast the Highest Resale Value? ›

These materials include diamonds, gold, palladium, platinum and silver. These materials increase in value over time due to scarcity. The harder it is to find and mine stones or metals, the more it costs to process. In turn, jewelry made with these items costs more to purchase.

What jewelry brand has the best resale value? ›

5 Jewelry Brands That Carry the Most Resale Value
  • Cartier. Founded in 1847, Cartier is one of the most well-known names in fine jewelry. ...
  • Van Cleef & Arpels. ...
  • Tiffany & Co. ...
  • David Yurman. ...
  • Harry Winston.
Jan 27, 2023

What jewelry will increase in value? ›

These materials include diamonds, gold, palladium, platinum and silver. These materials increase in value over time due to scarcity. The harder it is to find and mine stones or metals, the more it costs to process. In turn, jewelry made with these items costs more to purchase.

What jewelry does not lose value? ›

The most valuable type of jewelry is rare and old jewelry that hasn't been damaged in any way. If you're looking to invest in jewelry, gold, diamonds, silver, and other precious gemstones are the best options.

Which gold has the highest resale value? ›

24k gold tends to have much higher resale value. If you're looking to invest in gold, or if you want a family heirloom that will retain its value for many generations, 24k may be the ideal option.

What is the best jewelry to sell? ›

Top Jewelry Ideas to Make and Sell
  • Woven Yarn Bangles. ...
  • Rope Necklace. ...
  • Customizable Charm Bracelets. ...
  • Stone Pendants. ...
  • Beaded Necklaces. ...
  • Precious Metal Earrings. ...
  • Wire Rings. ...
  • Quote Bangles. Start with a basic wooden bangle and then customize it with paint and other decorative crafts.
Sep 26, 2022

How can I sell my jewelry to make the most money? ›

Your choices are a jewelry store, a pawn shop or a “We Buy Gold” dealer. In most cases all three will offer you “scrap value,” that is, the value of the metal, diamonds and gems. Of the three, you'll usually get the most money from a jeweler. Please note that Fox Fine Jewelry buys jewelry in-person only.

What ring holds its value? ›

Engagement rings will usually hold most of their value even if there are new fashions. Outside niche trends like black diamonds, style changes in engagement rings are most easily measured by the popularity of various diamond cuts.

What jewelry is more valuable than gold? ›

Price. Platinum: Despite being nearly identical in appearance, platinum is more valuable than gold. Platinum's high price point can be attributed to its rarity and density as precious metals are often priced by their weight.

Which gold jewelry is best for investment? ›

Does the gold plated chain lose its value in time? Typically, gold-plated chains don't have a reasonable resale value, unlike real gold that is a better investment. Which gold is the best to buy? For jewellery purpose, 22-karat gold is best to get as it had high durability and also has a high gold percentage (92%).

What gold doesn't lose value? ›

The simple answer is that 24-karat gold is the only type of gold that doesn't tarnish. This is the most traditional form of gold, and it is what primarily comes to people's minds when they think of "gold." 24-karat gold is also the priciest type because it does not contain any other mixed metals.

What jewellery stays on forever? ›

Permanent jewellery (or Soldered Permanent Jewellery) is jewellery designed to stay on your wrist always (yep, 24/7!). Unlike other bracelets, they have no clasp and will be welded on for lasting, permanent wear!

How much is a 1 carat diamond worth resale? ›

On average, the retail price for one carat diamonds can be anywhere between $2,000 to $16,000, and between $8,000 to $72,000 for two carat diamonds .

What holds value better than gold? ›

Silver has the huge advantage of being relatively inexpensive compared to gold, making it easier to get started with a small amount of money and build a portfolio from scratch by making smaller investments periodically over time.

What form of gold is easiest to sell? ›

Gold bars also known as Gold bullion which is at least 99.5% pure and because of its purity this makes it the most valuable and easiest type of Gold to sell. Gold bars are normally produced by accredited refiners and mints.

Which metal has most resale value? ›

1. RHODIUM: TOP MOST VALUABLE METAL. Rhodium is the most valuable metal and exists within the platinum group of metals.

What is the best day to sell jewelry? ›

In the USA, Valentine's Day, Christmas Day, and Mother's Day are the most popular times to sell diamond jewelry. If you want to sell directly to someone else, you want to wait for this time. However, jewelry shops and diamond buyers are always looking to buy diamond jewelry whenever possible.

Is it better to pawn or sell jewelry? ›

Although both offer an assortment of items for sale, investing in jewelry from a store versus a pawn shop is the better choice for those looking for quality selection and outstanding value.

Who sells the most jewelry in the world? ›

Globally, the lion's share of the jewelry and watch market revenue generated in 2022 is attributed to three countries: China was the largest, followed closely by India and the United States.

Does Kay Jewelers buy back rings? ›

Kay Jewelers makes a straightforward commitment to buy back your ring at the original retail price (minus taxes and shipping). The actual market price isn't a factor in the offer and they may even be paying slightly over the actual second hand value of the ring.

How can I sell my jewelry without getting ripped off? ›

How To Sell Your Gold Without Being Ripped Off
  1. Know the Realities of Selling Gold. Realize that even though gold prices are above $1,800 an ounce, you aren't going to get that. ...
  2. Shop Around. Take your gold to two or three independent appraisers. ...
  3. Keep the Gems Separate. ...
  4. Be Careful of Mail-In Gold Sales.

How much will jewelers pay for diamonds? ›

In most cases, a diamond engagement ring or other diamond jewelry will have a resale value of between 20 and 60% of the amount it cost when it was new.

What is the most bought ring? ›

1. Solitaire Engagement Rings. By far the most popular engagement ring style is the classic and elegant solitaire, notably the round diamond solitaire ring. As the name 'solitaire' would suggest, this ring type features a single diamond held above the band.

What shape diamond holds the best value? ›

Since a round diamond is thought to hold the most value when compared to the other shapes, it will almost always be given a higher price than any other shape with similar clarity, color, and carat weight.

What is the best ring to buy as an investment? ›

FANCY COLOR DIAMONDS

They are said to have the best long term growth potential. Fancy color diamonds – of which pink, red and blue are the top choices, followed by orange, then yellow – are exceptionally rare. As such, they will have greater value than white diamonds of a larger size and similar quality.

What is rarest than gold? ›

If translated into numbers, platinum—for all of its known deposits—is considerably more rare than gold and is the rarest metal of all. And it is, truly, a gift from the heavens.

What's better than gold? ›

As mentioned above, platinum is a luxurious and naturally white precious metal that is stronger than gold and is moveable.

Is platinum better than white gold? ›

Platinum isn't superior to gold; it is costlier but almost similar to white gold. Platinum jewelry isn't necessary, considering that both 18K and 14K are durable enough for daily wear. Also, Platinum scratches more quickly and needs more care during wear. White gold has a classic look and is a stunning metal mixture.

What is the best form of gold to own? ›

Purity is very important when buying gold: Investment-quality gold bars must be at least 99.5% pure gold. This is especially critical if you're hoping to store bars in a gold IRA; less pure gold, unless it's a specifically pre-approved gold coin, cannot be held in an IRA.

What is the lowest quality gold? ›

10-Karat Gold

10k gold is the lowest solid gold alloy used for jewelry. It's composed of 41.7% gold and 58.3% alloy. Appearance: 10k gold is pale yellow in color. It's the least yellow of all the karat types since it contains the least amount of gold.

Why gold is no longer a good investment? ›

Keep in mind that the price of gold does fluctuate, meaning it can quickly lose value and is a poor short-term investment. You also don't earn dividends or interest on gold.

When should we not buy gold? ›

According to religious beliefs, one should not buy gold on Saturdays even by mistake. By doing this, the economic condition of the house also remains bad. In fact, in Hindu scriptures, gold is associated with Sun God and Saturday is dedicated to Shani Dev.

What is a timeless piece of jewelry? ›

When you have a piece of jewelry that does it all, meaning you can wear it with any outfit or on any day, it's a timeless piece. Keep in mind that classic jewelry isn't always necessarily what's currently in-trend — it's a nice staple piece that has stood the test of time.

What are the bracelets you never take off? ›

What is an Infinity Bracelet? An Infinity Bracelet is a chain that is welded on your wrist without a clasp. A modern, minimal friendship bracelet, these bracelets are designed to be worn always, or until you decide to snip it off with scissors.

Where not to hide jewelry? ›

Hiding Places to Avoid:
  • areas that can damage your valuables with water or invasive matter, such as the water tank of a toilet, inside a mayonnaise jar that still has mayonnaise in it, or a paint can filled with paint. ...
  • a jewelry box. ...
  • your desk drawer, bedside drawer, or underwear drawer. ...
  • inside CD cases.

How much is a 2 carat diamond worth to sell? ›

The price depends on the quality of the stone. In general, a reasonable price for a good value 2-carat stone should cost $16,000 to $24,000. If you're okay with a lab-created stone, you can get a 2 carat diamond for $3,500 - $5,000.

Are second hand diamond rings worth anything? ›

Diamond Procurement

The typical loss on reselling a diamond is between 25% and 50% of its original purchase price. Like the price of gold, diamonds' resale value can rise and fall depending on some circ*mstances. You can anticipate getting 25-50% less when you resell your diamond than you paid.

Are old diamonds worth more? ›

As diamonds age from 100 years to 120 years old and we move further away from the 20th century, these old cuts will not only become more scarce but also more valuable. As an example, jewelry from the 17th century and older is extremely valuable and rare.

Does jewelry have good resale value? ›

Resale Value. Generally, when you sell pre-owned fine jewelry, you can expect to get around 20 to 50% of the original purchase price. There are a few exceptions to this range. For example, very rare and highly desirable pieces may fetch a higher price.

What is the best gold jewelry for investment? ›

If you're looking for investment jewellery, we recommend buying a solid gold chain or bracelet, as these pieces usually require minimal craftsmanship. Gold sovereign coins are also popular as investment pieces – they do not require any craftsmanship and can be easily melted down.

Does jewelry hold value well? ›

Most possessions will reliably decrease in value over time – but fine jewelry is different. Like fine wine, jewelry tends to age well. Although the value of precious metals fluctuates over time—and even from one day to the next—gold jewelry often increases in value.

Does Cartier have resale value? ›

What are popular types of Cartier jewelry you can sell? Cartier jewelry is one of the few luxury brands that commands a resale value above melt weight — buyers are interested in the whole piece, not just the scrap value of your Cartier ring, watch, bracelet or necklace.

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