Buying Used Jewellery & Watches: What to Check

17 guides to buying jewellery & watches second hand — what to check, what a fair price looks like, and the questions to ask before you pay.

What goes wrong buying jewellery & watches used

Metal content misdescribed as solid when it is plated, and stones described as natural when they are lab-grown or simulant. Both are common and neither is always deliberate.

Misrepresentation and fakes

Hallmarks can be faked but are rarely faked well, and a jeweller will read one in seconds. Plated pieces wear through at edges and clasps first.

How to verify before you pay

Ask for a close photograph of the hallmark and the item’s weight in grams. Those two facts alone put a floor under what it can be worth.

WishThrift does not authenticate, inspect or grade anything, and does not hold funds. You are buying on the seller’s description and photographs, so ask directly — a seller who has the item will answer in minutes.

What you should expect to pay

Across this category, guide prices run from about £5 to £1,200 (approximately $7 to $1,599) depending on the item and its condition. Grades run New with Tags, Like New, Good, Fair and For Parts — what each one means.

Sterling guide ranges with an approximate US dollar equivalent at £1 ≈ $1.33 (July 2026).

What each one typically costs

The most-searched items in this category, with the guide range a buyer should expect:

Item	Good condition	Full range
Engagement Ring	£65–£780	£100–£1,200 (~$133–$1,599)
Gold Watch	£39–£390	£60–£600 (~$80–$799)
Vintage Watch	£32–£325	£50–£500 (~$67–$666)
Gold Ring	£26–£260	£40–£400 (~$53–$533)
Gold Necklace	£26–£260	£40–£400 (~$53–$533)
Gold Earrings	£20–£195	£30–£300 (~$40–$400)
Wedding Band	£26–£228	£40–£350 (~$53–$466)
Pearl Necklace	£13–£98	£20–£150 (~$27–$200)

Every jewellery & watches buying guide

Frequently asked questions

What should I check before buying jewellery & watches second hand?

Ask for a close photograph of the hallmark and the item’s weight in grams. Those two facts alone put a floor under what it can be worth.

What goes wrong most often?

Metal content misdescribed as solid when it is plated, and stones described as natural when they are lab-grown or simulant. Both are common and neither is always deliberate.

Does WishThrift check the item for me?

No. WishThrift does not authenticate, inspect or grade anything, and does not hold funds or offer buyer protection. Condition is described by the seller against five grades and the photographs are what you are buying on — which is why these 17 guides exist.