Selling diamond jewelry or gold jewelry might seem like a very simple thing at first glance. While selling something like gold or a diamond is simple, it gets a little more involved when you want to make sure you are getting a fair price. Here are five things you should do before you sell your gold or diamond jewelry.

Know the 4 Cs or Purity

The 4 Cs of diamonds are color, clarity, carat, and cut. Each of these areas directly affects the value of a diamond. Diamonds are usually given a rating or grade in each of these areas to determine its monetary worth. Without official documentation, dealers may need to rely on their own expertise to grade the 4 Cs and quote a fair price. For gold, know the purity and the current value of gold in order to understand what a fair selling price is.

Get Appraised

To assist in getting a better price for your diamond or gold, you might consider getting it appraised. This could give you a decent starting price when negotiating with a jeweler.

Get Certified

Official certification from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) will really tell you how much your diamond is worth. If you know your diamond is worth a lot, then certification might be necessary. A GIA certification tells a dealer exactly what they are dealing with, and its findings are usually adhered to closely.

Clean

Before selling gold online or diamonds in person, clean your jewelry as much as possible. The cleaner the jewelry is, the more appealing it will look. You might even be able to get a better price for clean jewelry than you would for dirty jewelry.

Find a Trustworthy Buyer

 When researching where to sell gold, look up several different buyers to make sure you are choosing a trustworthy source. There are diamond and gold scammers out there, so arm yourself with knowledge to protect yourself from shady dealers.

Selling diamond jewelry or gold jewelry doesn't have to be overly difficult, but follow the guidelines above to help you find a reliable dealer and a fair price.