Jewelry Identifier
·8 min read·valuation
How Much Do Pawn Shops Pay for Gold in 2026?
Pawn shops pay 40% to 60% of gold melt value. Learn the math, what affects offers, and better alternatives to get the most for your gold jewelry.
Blog
Tips, guides, and insights from the Jewelry Identifier team.
·8 min read·identification
How to Tell if an Opal Is Real: 7 Easy Tests
Learn how to tell if an opal is real with at-home tests. Spot doublets, triplets, and synthetics by checking play-of-color, layers, and surface patterns.
·9 min read·identification
How to Tell if a Sapphire Is Real: At-Home Tests That Work
Learn how to tell if a sapphire is real with at-home tests. Fog test, scratch test, inclusion inspection, and more — plus when to see a gemologist.
·9 min read·identification
How to Tell if an Emerald Is Real: 5 Tests You Can Do at Home
How to tell if an emerald is real using 5 at-home tests. Check inclusions, sparkle, color, UV response, and weight — plus when oil treatment is normal.
·10 min read·identification
Birthstone Guide: Every Month's Stone and How to Identify It
Complete birthstone guide for all 12 months. Learn to identify each gemstone, spot fakes, and understand what drives birthstone jewelry value.
·8 min read·guides
How to Clean Jewelry: A Guide by Metal and Stone Type
Learn how to clean jewelry safely by metal and gemstone type. Gold, silver, platinum, diamonds, pearls, and more — with methods that won't cause damage.
·10 min read·guides
Types of Gold Chains: A Guide to Every Style
Types of gold chains explained with identification tips. Cable, curb, rope, Franco, herringbone, and more — plus what affects value and durability.
·9 min read·valuation
Jewelry Insurance Guide: How to Protect Your Pieces in 2026
Jewelry insurance explained: homeowners riders vs standalone policies, what they cost, what's covered, and how to file a claim without getting shortchanged.
·10 min read·identification
How to Tell if Amber Is Real: 6 Easy Tests
How to tell if amber is real with 6 easy at-home tests. Salt water float, hot needle, UV light, and static tests to spot genuine amber vs fakes.
·10 min read·valuation
Jewelry Appraisal for Insurance: What You Need and What It Costs
Jewelry appraisal for insurance explained. What appraisers check, what it costs, how often to update, and how to get the right coverage for your pieces.
·10 min read·identification
How to Tell if a Ruby Is Real: At-Home Tests and What to Look For
How to tell if a ruby is real with at-home tests. Color, inclusion, hardness, UV, and breath tests to spot natural rubies vs glass and synthetics.
·10 min read·identification
How to Tell if Turquoise Is Real: 7 Tests That Work
How to tell if turquoise is real with 7 at-home tests. Acetone, scratch, hot needle, and visual checks to spot genuine turquoise vs dyed fakes.
·8 min read·identification
How to Tell if Gold Is Real: 8 At-Home Tests
Learn how to tell if gold is real with 8 at-home tests. Magnet, acid, ceramic, and stamp checks to spot real gold vs plated fakes.
·9 min read·identification
How to Tell if Jade Is Real: 6 Simple Tests
How to tell if jade is real with 6 at-home tests. Temperature, sound, scratch, light, and density checks to spot genuine jade vs fakes.
·9 min read·valuation
Estate Jewelry Appraisal: What You Need to Know in 2026
Complete estate jewelry appraisal guide. Covers FMV vs replacement value, costs, finding qualified appraisers, tax rules, and common mistakes.
·9 min read·identification
How to Spot a Fake Diamond: At-Home Tests That Work
Learn how to spot fake diamonds with 8 simple at-home tests. Covers CZ, moissanite, and lab-grown diamonds with tools you already have.
·10 min read·identification
Jewelry Maker's Marks: How to Find and Read Them
Learn how to find and identify jewelry makers marks. Covers initials, logos, country-specific marks, and how to research unknown stamps.
·10 min read·guides
Types of Jewelry Clasps: A Visual Guide to Every Style
Identify every type of jewelry clasp — spring ring, lobster claw, box clasp, toggle, screw-back, and more. Includes dating tips for vintage pieces.
·8 min read·valuation
How Much Are My Earrings Worth? Valuation by Type
Find out how much your earrings are worth. Diamond studs, gold hoops, pearl earrings, and more with real resale price ranges by type.
·8 min read·valuation
How Much Is My Bracelet Worth? A Complete Valuation Guide
Find out how much your bracelet is worth. Gold, silver, diamond tennis bracelets, and charm bracelets with real price ranges by type.
·8 min read·valuation
Inherited Jewelry: How to Figure Out What It's Worth
Learn how to determine your inherited jewelry's value. Covers identification, appraisal options, and common pieces with typical price ranges.
·8 min read·identification
Platinum Jewelry: How to Identify It and What It's Worth
How to identify platinum jewelry with stamps, weight tests, and visual checks. Includes platinum values and how to tell it from white gold and silver.
·8 min read·guides
Gold Plated vs Solid Gold: How to Tell What You Have
Learn to tell gold plated jewelry from solid gold. Stamps, home tests, and price differences explained so you know exactly what your gold jewelry is worth.
·8 min read·identification
How to Tell if Pearls Are Real: 6 Tests That Actually Work
How to tell if pearls are real with 6 simple tests. Tooth test, surface check, drill holes, and more to spot fake pearls at home.
·8 min read·identification
How to Tell if Silver Is Real: 7 Simple Tests
How to tell if silver is real with 7 simple at-home tests. Stamp checks, ice tests, and more to spot real sterling silver vs plated fakes.
·6 min read·valuation
Diamond Ring Appraisal: What Your Diamond Is Actually Worth
Find out what your diamond ring is worth with this honest valuation guide. Learn about the 4Cs, resale reality, and how to get an accurate diamond appraisal.
·5 min read·valuation
How Much Is My Necklace Worth? A Practical Pricing Guide
Find out what your necklace is actually worth. From gold chains to diamond pendants, learn how to evaluate your necklace's value based on materials, maker, and condition.
·6 min read·valuation
Where to Sell Jewelry: Best Options Ranked by Payout
Compare the best places to sell jewelry in 2026. From online marketplaces to local shops, here's where to sell for the highest payout with the least hassle.
·6 min read·identification
Real vs Fake Jewelry: How to Tell the Difference
Learn practical tests to tell real jewelry from fake. From simple at-home checks to professional methods, here's how to identify genuine gold, diamonds, and gemstones.
·7 min read·guides
Gold Jewelry Guide: How to Test, Value, and Sell Gold
Everything you need to know about gold jewelry. Learn to test gold at home, understand karat markings, calculate melt value, and find where to sell for the best price.
·4 min read·valuation
How Much Is My Ring Worth? A Complete Valuation Guide
Learn exactly what determines your ring's value. From metal content to gemstone quality, here's how to estimate what your ring is actually worth.
·3 min read·identification
How to Read Jewelry Stamps and Hallmarks
A complete guide to understanding jewelry stamps, karat marks, and hallmarks. Learn what 750, 585, 417, and other common stamps mean.
·4 min read·valuation
Best Jewelry Appraisal Apps in 2026: Which One Should You Use?
Compare the top jewelry appraisal and identification apps. See which apps actually work, what they cost, and when you still need a professional appraiser.
·4 min read·identification
Free Jewelry Identification: How to Identify Any Piece Without Paying
Identify jewelry yourself using free methods. Learn to read hallmarks, test metals at home, and use free app features to figure out what you have.
·4 min read·identification
Vintage Jewelry Identification: How to Date and Value Antique Pieces
Learn to identify vintage jewelry by era. From Victorian mourning jewelry to Mid-Century Modern, here's how to date pieces and understand their value.
·4 min read·identification
Gemstone Identification: Real vs. Fake—How to Tell the Difference
Learn to identify real gemstones from fakes and synthetics. Simple tests for diamonds, rubies, sapphires, and emeralds that you can do at home.
·4 min read·identification
Can You Identify Jewelry from a Photo? How AI Recognition Works
Yes, you can identify jewelry from photos using AI apps. Learn how photo-based identification works, its accuracy limits, and tips for getting better results.
·5 min read·valuation
Costume Jewelry Worth Money: Brands Collectors Pay Top Dollar For
Not all costume jewelry is worthless. These vintage brands—Trifari, Eisenberg, Coro, and more—command serious prices from collectors. Learn what to look for.
·5 min read·identification
Ring Identification Guide: How to Find Out What Ring You Have
A complete guide to identifying any ring. Learn to read stamps, recognize styles, determine metal types, and figure out what that ring is actually worth.
·5 min read·valuation
Jewelry Appraisal Near Me vs. Online: Which Should You Choose?
Compare local jewelry appraisers with online and app-based options. Learn when you need in-person evaluation and when digital alternatives work just as well.
·5 min read·valuation
How to Determine the Value of Jewelry: The 5 Factors That Matter
Learn the five factors that determine jewelry value: metal content, gemstones, brand, condition, and rarity. A practical guide to understanding what your jewelry is worth.