Jewellery is one of the most valuable things most people have sitting unused in a drawer – and one of the most misunderstood to sell. A gold chain has a hard cash floor set by its metal, while a costume necklace sells only on looks. Knowing the difference is what stops you giving away real value or overpricing a piece that will not move. This is the 2026 guide to selling jewellery online: how to tell real from costume, what your pieces are actually worth, how to sell safely, and how to keep the fees from eating your return.
Where to sell jewellery online in 2026
Match the platform to the value. Everyday and fashion pieces do well on open marketplaces; genuine fine jewellery may justify a specialist – or you can sell direct and keep the commission.
| Platform | Best for | Seller cost |
|---|---|---|
| WishThrift | Any jewellery, fashion to fine | No fee, keep 100% |
| Vinted | Fashion & costume | Free for sellers (buyer pays protection) |
| Etsy | Vintage & handmade | Listing fee + ~6.5% transaction |
| eBay | Wide reach, all tiers | ~13% final value |
| Specialist buyer / jeweller | Fine gold, diamonds | Pays wholesale (below retail) |
| Pawnshop | Fast cash | Pays the least |
Fees as publicly listed in 2026 – confirm current rates before pricing.
Specialist buyers are convenient for high-value fine jewellery because they handle testing and payment – but they pay wholesale, not retail. If you can prove what a piece is with a hallmark photo and any paperwork, selling directly on WishThrift means you keep the entire amount instead of losing a commission or a wholesale margin.
Keep 100% of what you earn. List your first item in under two minutes – no fees, ever.
Real vs costume: how to tell before you price
This single distinction decides everything about value. Quick checks you can do at home:
- Find the hallmark. Gold is stamped 9k/375, 14k/585, 18k/750, 22k/916, 24k/999; sterling silver is 925 or “Sterling”; platinum is “PT” or “950”. No stamp usually means plated or costume.
- Magnet test. Gold, silver and platinum are not magnetic. If a strong magnet grabs the piece, it is plated base metal.
- Weight and feel. Precious metal feels dense and heavier than it looks; hollow, light pieces are often plated.
- Skin and wear. Costume pieces tarnish, flake and can turn skin green; worn spots showing a different metal underneath mean plating.
- When in doubt, test it. A jeweller can acid-test or XRF-scan in minutes – worth it before selling anything you think is solid gold.
What is your jewellery actually worth?
Fine jewellery has a value floor – the melt value of its metal plus any gemstones – and a premium on top for brand and craftsmanship. Costume jewellery has no metal floor and sells only on looks.
| Type | What sets the price | Typical resale |
|---|---|---|
| Solid gold (9-24k) | Weight x purity x gold price = melt floor | Melt value up; more with design/brand |
| Sterling silver | Weight x silver price | Modest melt floor + design premium |
| Diamonds & gemstones | Cut, colour, clarity, carat; certificate | Strong with a GIA/IGI cert |
| Designer (Tiffany, Cartier, David Yurman) | Brand + box/receipt + condition | 40-70% of retail |
| Costume / fashion | Looks and brand only | Small fraction of original |
The practical takeaway: never sell solid gold below its melt value, and always add for stones, brand and design. Pandora and similar mid-tier brands hold some value; unbranded costume pieces sell on style alone.
How to authenticate jewellery for buyers
Buyers worry about fakes and plating, so answer it up front. Photograph the hallmark stamp clearly, include any diamond or gemstone certificate (GIA, IGI), and show the original receipt, box and pouch for designer pieces. State the metal, purity, total weight and stone details in the description. The same verify-the-details habit buyers use on bags applies here – see how to spot a fake designer.
Keep 100% of what you earn. List your first item in under two minutes – no fees, ever.
How to sell jewellery, step by step
1. Identify and test
Find the hallmark, run the magnet test, and get anything you believe is solid gold or diamond verified by a jeweller.
2. Clean gently
Warm water, mild soap and a soft brush lift grime; polish silver with a proper cloth. Clean pieces photograph far better and grade higher.
3. Photograph the detail
Daylight, plain background. Capture the whole piece, the clasp, the hallmark close-up, any stones, and any wear shown honestly. A macro shot of the stamp is what proves authenticity.
4. Price from the floor up
For fine pieces, start at metal melt value, add for stones and brand. For costume, price on looks against similar sold listings.
5. List free and ship insured
Create your listing in minutes. For valuable pieces, use fully tracked, insured postage, keep the agreement on-platform, and never send before payment clears.
Keep 100% of what you earn. List your first item in under two minutes – no fees, ever.
One trust tip that sells earrings faster: buyers routinely disinfect secondhand pairs before wearing, and our guide on whether thrifted earrings are safe shows exactly what they check – clear photos of posts and hallmarks answer those doubts before they are asked.
Watches follow the same metal-first logic: a hallmark decides whether a piece has a melt-value floor or sells on style alone — our vintage gold watch guide covers the marks, the value tiers and why you never scrap before checking the brand.
FAQ
Where can I sell jewellery online?
WishThrift lets you sell most jewellery with no fee and keep 100%. Etsy suits vintage/handmade, eBay and Vinted reach buyers for a commission, and a specialist buyer suits fine gold and diamonds (at wholesale rates).
How do I know if my jewellery is real gold or silver?
Check for a hallmark (gold 375/585/750, silver 925), test with a magnet (precious metal is non-magnetic), and note the weight. A jeweller can acid-test or XRF-scan for certainty.
How much is used jewellery worth?
Fine jewellery is worth its metal melt value plus stones, with a brand premium on top – designer pieces hold 40-70% of retail. Costume jewellery has no metal value and sells on looks alone.
How do I sell jewellery safely online?
Photograph the hallmark and certificates, price fine pieces from the metal value up, keep communication on-platform, and use tracked insured postage, never shipping before payment clears.
Item-by-item guides
Detailed guides for specific items, each covering what it is worth, the photographs that sell it, what to put in the title and the questions buyers will send you:
- How to sell bracelet — £10 to £90
- How to sell charm bracelet — £15 to £120
- How to sell costume jewellery — £5 to £25
- How to sell cufflinks — £10 to £60
- How to sell earrings — £8 to £80
- How to sell engagement ring — £100 to £1,200
- How to sell gold earrings — £30 to £300
- How to sell gold necklace — £40 to £400
- How to sell gold ring — £40 to £400
- How to sell gold watch — £60 to £600
- How to sell jewellery box — £10 to £50
- How to sell pearl necklace — £20 to £150
- How to sell silver necklace — £12 to £80
- How to sell silver ring — £10 to £60
- How to sell vintage brooch — £8 to £50
- How to sell vintage watch — £50 to £500
- How to sell wedding band — £40 to £350
Maya Chen is Senior Editor at WishThrift, where she writes about the global secondhand market, sustainable shopping, and the resale economy. Her work focuses on practical buyer guides — designer authentication, online thrift tactics, used-book hunting, and what to look for on every listing before you pay. She edits the WishThrift seller knowledge base and reviews every guide published on the site.
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