Top 5 Items to Pawn

Are you in need of a little extra cash in your pocket? Look no further! Here’s our list of the most popular and lucrative items to pawn.  

Gold and Other Precious Metals 

The price of gold is soaring right now. Gold is also one of the easiest materials to appraise and has the most options for reselling. That puts it at the top of our list! 

Gold is a unique metal for pawn shops. Obviously, it’s worth a lot – but it can also be resold in more than one form. Pawn shops have the option of selling a piece of gold jewelry as-is, or melting it down depending on the value of its base materials and the conditions of the market. 

Other precious metals include silver and platinum. If you have gold, silver or platinum jewelry that you haven’t worn in a while, consider having it appraised by a reputable pawnshop like American Gold Exchange & Pawn. If you’re looking for the highest-quality jewelry at a competitive price, also consider visiting us! 

Diamonds and Other Gems 

Diamonds are not only in high demand, they’re also rare. That’s why they’re especially valuable to pawnshops. And just like gold and other precious metals, diamonds are priced according to their quality.  

All real diamonds are valuable. Just how valuable depends on several factors called the 4 Cs:  

• Carat  
• Color 
• Clarity  
• Cut  

For a better understanding of the 4 Cs take a look at our article that explains the 4 Cs.  Diamond experts take each of these factors into account when determining the price of a diamond.  

Jewelry and Watches  

Buying jewelry from a pawn shop is a great alternative to buying it elsewhere. You can find jewelry that’s of excellent quality and at a price lower than most jewelry stores. 

The price of jewelry depends on the materials it’s made of. As you can imagine, gold and diamond jewelry will be more valuable than jewelry made of other metals or stones. Luxury jewelry and watch brands are highly desirable! 

Firearms  

There’s a near-endless demand for guns, whether for hunting, target shooting or collecting. The market for resale also makes pawn shops and ideal means to sell your used firearms. 

When pawning a firearm, bring in any accessories that may increase its value. This includes bolts, holsters, magazines, sights, scopes, slings and cases.  

When bringing a gun into a pawnshop, be sure to follow all safety rules. Make sure it’s empty of ammunition. If you’re bringing one in uncased, use a blanket for transport and let the folks at the pawn shop know before walking in. 

Power Tools 

Why spend money on new power tools when you can get used, name brand, high performance tools at a competitive price? On the other hand, why hold onto power tools you never use, when you could get instant cash for them? 

Brands that are used specifically by contractors, such as DeWalt, are generally considered more valuable. However, it doesn’t hurt to bring in your used Black & Decker or John Deere. Power tools are so popular that pawn shops tend to cycle through their inventory quickly.  

How to Pawn 

Pawns are short-term loans that don’t affect your credit. Once you’ve agreed to a loan amount for the item, you’ll sign a simple contract. Be sure to bring in your government issued photo ID because it is required for this transaction. You’ll receive your loan in cash and may redeem your item up to 90 days. For more information on how loaning and selling works, visit our FAQs. 

We at American Gold Exchange & Pawn are a family-owned business of over twenty years, and we’re experts at appraising these Top 5 Items. If you’re interested in a loan or instant cash in exchange for any of these items, visit or call us today!  

The Difference Between 10K, 14K and 24K Gold

 A common misunderstanding is that the higher the karat, the more desirable the jewelry. This isn’t necessarily true! Depending on your lifestyle, budget and personal needs, lower-karat jewelry may be just what you’re looking for.

A karat which is not the same as a carat (a measurement of weight for gems) refers to the percentage of gold within an alloy. An alloy is a combination of metals that make up a piece of jewelry.

Essentially, 24K is 100% pure gold, while 14K is 58.3% and 10K is 41.7%.

The Value of Alloys

24K gold is very soft and able to be manipulated, making it unsuitable for jewelry. After all, you don’t want your expensive wedding band to be scratched or deformed.

That’s where alloys come in. Alloys, despite having less gold content, are stronger, more durable and more resilient against the elements.

The type of alloy that comprises gold jewelry, including platinum, silver, copper, nickel, and zinc, also affect the price. An alloy that includes platinum, for example, can be more expensive because of the strength it lends to the piece.

The Real Difference Between 10K and 14K

Lower-karat alloys like 10K are used in both fine and costume jewelry. They stand up well to daily wear and are less expensive due to the smaller percentage of gold. Finer jewelry, on the other hand, often comes in the form of 14K. The piece is still durable but is generally more valuable because of the higher gold percentage.

If you have a rugged or active lifestyle, you may want to consider 10K gold jewelry. 14K jewelry, however, is still very resilient. 14K makes for a perfect engagement ring or wedding band for those with less active lifestyles or who don’t work with their hands.

In A Nutshell

Before buying gold jewelry, ask yourself “How well do I want a particular piece of gold jewelry to hold up?” The basic rule is this: a higher karat = higher purity, but with less resilience.

If you ever need help picking out gold jewelry that matches your lifestyle and your budget, feel free to drop into American Gold Exchange and Pawn or give us a call at 919-231-6433. After over two decades in business, we’re gold experts and can help you make the right decision for your needs!