Buying secondhand jewellery: what you can and can't check yourself
Jewellery is small, valuable and easy to misdescribe. Some things you can check at a meetup; others — metal purity, gemstone identity, real market value — need a professional. Knowing the difference protects you.
By Vaultmart Founder · · 7 min read
What you can check yourself
Bring a phone torch or small magnifier:
- Hallmarks or stamps (for example 925, 585/14K, 750/18K) — present, clear and consistent with the description.
- Wear: thin ring shanks, worn prongs, loose stones.
- Clasps and links on chains and bracelets work and hold.
- For watches: it runs, the crown and buttons work, and serial numbers aren't removed.
What a stamp does not prove
Stamps can be faked, and plated items can carry them. A magnet test can rule out some fakes but cannot confirm gold or silver. Avoid scratch or acid tests on an item you don't own — they damage it and the seller won't thank you.
Paperwork
Original receipts, grading reports for diamonds, or watch boxes and papers help, but check that report numbers match the item where they can be verified with the issuing lab. A copy of a certificate for a "similar" stone is not evidence about this one.
When to bring in a professional
For anything valuable, agree with the seller to meet at a jeweller who can test the metal and stones, or make the sale conditional on an independent appraisal. A self-check at a meetup is a useful first filter, not a certification of authenticity or value.
Put this into practice
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