How to Consign Costume Jewelry

Sell your unwanted jewelry on consignment and recycle the profits to buy new accessories.

Women all over the world love jewelry. If your costume jewelry collection is beginning to explode and you are ready to clean out, consider selling some through a consignment shop for extra cash. Many consignment shops do well selling jewelry, since it is such a loved accessory. Ask your friends to recommend a consignment shop that will help you earn more than throwing it into a yard sale or donating it.

Things You'll Need

• Small plastic bags
• Soap, water, paper towels to clean
• Jewelry

Instructions

1. Know your terms. Costume jewelry is jewelry that is not of much value. Jewelry that contains gold, silver, sterling, diamonds or other genuine gemstones is not considered costume jewelry. Costume jewelry might include plastic beaded necklaces, faux pearls, items with cubic zirconias, charm bracelets, pins and brooches, and clip or post earrings. Costume jewelry is usually worn just for decoration to help complement or pull an outfit together.

2. Clean it up. The best way to prepare your costume jewelry for consignment is to clean carefully any pieces you are ready to part with. Make sure you have all matching sets, no missing earrings (you can't sell just one), that there are no broken clasps or broken pieces sticking out that could poke or injure, and that all closures are secure and in working order. If you have plastic jewelry that is colored, make sure it is not faded or partially losing color. All gold or silver covered items should be free of tarnish spots or chips and flaking. Pick the best of what you have to offer up for consignment.

3. Match things up. An easy way to package up the jewelry for consignment is to put matching items in separate plastic snack bags. You can even find tiny bags at your local hardware store (usually used for screws or washers) that may only fit one pair of earrings. If you have any boxes with cotton that came with the jewelry, present your item in the original box. This will always net you more money. Jewelry or travel pouches do the trick as well. Package similar items into larger storage bags and put them into a shoe box for transport.

4. Price your items. If you have purchased "specialty" jewelry from an arts and crafts show, museum, or jewelry party, and paid a little bit more for it, make sure your consignment shop knows which pieces came from where and how much you paid for them. This will help the store price your item accordingly. Shops should mark your item 30 percent to 40 percent of the original retail price.

5. Know what sells best. Some popular sellers clip-style earrings, large pins or brooches with jewels, plastic long beads, and chunky fat necklaces. These items are almost guaranteed to sell, even if they are older. Keep a lookout for vintage items from your mom, grandma or aunt.

6. Start earning money. If your jewelry is in good working order, kept in sets, and cleaned well before presenting, you may be surprised how much you can make in consignment.

Tips & Warnings

• Warm water and gentle soap or dish detergent work well to clean costume jewelry. Have a toothbrush handy for light scrubbing

• Check the backs for stamps, signatures or 925 -- which indicates the amount of sterling silver -- on the pieces. These have more value.

References

• Collectors Weekly: Vintage Costume Jewelry
• Baltimore Sun: High-End Consignment Shops Draw Frugal Customers