Cash for Gold Craze

A Jewelers Perspective on the Cash for Gold Craze

5 tips on how not to get ripped off selling your old gold jewelry.

Ashland, OR, August 07, 2009 -- Is there value to consumers in taking advantage of the ubiquitous cash for gold promotions? An industry expert weighs in. Recently the media has been flooded with advertisements encouraging consumers to cash in on their gold jewelry. Even sign-swingers can be seen on busy street corners waving passerby's into pawn shops with the promise of "top dollar" for gold chains, class rings, outdated-looking pendants, etc. Unfortunately, according to the business news website MarketWatch.com, consumers may be getting gored on gold prices. And, there are plenty of complaints and cries of scam posted on the Net. Certainly sellers need to be wary - they're probably getting short-changed. With the price of gold hovering close to $1,000 and ounce, what exactly does "top dollar" mean? Who makes the determination?

"People simply don't know if their being low-balled on the overall value of their jewelry", according to 30-year veteran of the fine jewelry industry, Ron Hansen of GoldAndGems.com Fine Jewelry. "If you find yourself financially-strapped and truly need to convert your jewelry to its cash value, your best bet is to take the items to your local jeweler." A full-service jewelry store typically is a member of the Jewelers Vigilance Committee (JVC) - the industry's guardian of ethics and integrity. Here are JVC's tips for selling gold jewelry.

Tips for Selling Gold Jewelry

1. Choose a reputable jeweler, someone that's known to you or has been recommended by a trusted source. Preferably, select a jeweler that's a member of the Jewelers Vigilance Committee.

2. Set off on your expedition with reasonable expectations. When you bought the jewelry you paid for more than the value of the gold. The price included labor, packaging and the retail mark-up of the item. The jeweler will only pay you for the actual gold in an object. Since gold is always blended with other metals to make jewelry, expect that a substantial percentage of the object is made of something other than gold.

3. Don't expect to be paid for the non-gold component of the jewelry. The jeweler may conduct a test to determine how much gold is in the jewelry - known in the trade as its "karat fineness." This is called a "scratch" or "acid" test. Expect the jeweler to actually scratch the gold to conduct the test.

4. The price offered to you by the jeweler may not be the market price of gold that day. Prices are not regulated, so the parties are free to negotiate a price that's acceptable to both sides.

5. Bring a form of government issued identification. Some jewelers are also required by anti-money laundering laws to obtain seller identification.

With rare exceptions, it's unlikely that weight value will come anywhere close to the original cost of the item. If you're not completely cash-strapped, but simply tempted by the relentless media push to empty your jewelry box, then ask yourself if you truly want to sell something as scrap that at one time held some sentiment for you. Talk to your jeweler about redesigning or refurbishing your outdated treasures.

A certified jeweler is highly skilled at appraisal, design consultation, model making, carving, metallurgy, filing, burnishing, polishing, gem-setting and much more. With a fine jeweler's touch, almost any unwanted jewelry becomes valuable again and saves you the hassle of selling your old gold jewelry.

Contact Information
============================
Gold and Gems Fine Jewelry
Ron Hansen
541-488-2753
web@goldandgems.com
http://www.goldandgems.com/

Gold and Gems Fine Jewelry
25 N. Main St,
Ashland, Oregon 97520
877.917.8477
 

Recycled Solar Heat Reduces Energy Bills

SolarAttics Recycled Solar Heat Technology Significantly Reduces High Energy Bills

SolarAttic, Inc. announced that recycling the solar heat energy found within roofs and attics, either commercial or residential is significantly reducing energy bills.

Elk River, MN, July 30, 2009 -- Ed Palmer, SolarAttic's president said: "Treasure Island Water Park in Sunray, Texas decided to recycle the heat found in the attic of their clubhouse. According to Sunray City Manager, Greg Smith, most public pools lose money to begin with and so it is important if you can find something that will save money or at least keep your expenses from getting higher. Smith in a recent television interview said he expects recycling the heat in the clubhouse roof and attic 'will save the City of Sunray between $5,000 and $10,000 annually in pool heating costs.'

"Buffalo, New York resident, Mike Bradshaw, had a similar experience cutting his operating costs by recycling the heat from his roof and attic. Bradshaw also indicated in a separate interview that recycling the heat in his roof and attic had drastically cut his utility bill. He said, 'it cost $339 dollars to heat the pool for one month with my old gas heater. After I installed the new system, my monthly bill dropped to $45 bucks.'

"Both the commercial experience of the City of Sunray, Texas and the residential experience of Mike Bradshaw of Buffalo, New York are typical examples that it pays to recycle the heat in your roof and attic."

Recycling the roof and attic heat can be used to significantly reduce space heating, water heating and pool heating costs.

Contact Information
SolarAttic, Inc
James Kantorowicz
763-441-3440
james@solarattic.com
www.solarattic.com