If you are ready to turn jewelry into cash, Clark Pawners & Jewelers is a Lincoln Park jewelry buyer your neighbors in Chicago have used for years. Walk in with what you have, sit with one of our jewelers, and leave with either a written cash offer the same day or a clear next step if a deeper evaluation is needed.
Get a same day cash offer on your jewelry
What we buy
We see a wide range of pieces. Categories include:
- Gold jewelry in 10k, 14k, 18k, 22k, and 24k. Chains, rings, bracelets, pendants, charms, and earrings. Broken pieces and single earrings are welcome.
- Diamond jewelry. Engagement rings, eternity bands, three stone rings, halo settings, tennis bracelets, studs, and loose stones. Certified and uncertified.
- Designer and signed jewelry from recognized makers. Boxes and papers help when you have them.
- Estate, vintage, and inherited jewelry. Single pieces or full collections.
- Sterling silver and silver jewelry. Platinum settings.
- Scrap and broken pieces. Snapped chains, single earrings, settings missing stones.
If your piece does not fit one of these categories, bring it in. The evaluation is free, and there is no obligation to sell.
How a jewelry evaluation works
Walk in any time during business hours. The evaluation happens at our counter, in front of you, and the piece never leaves your sight.
For metal, we test for purity, weigh the piece, and quote against current market pricing. For diamonds, we assess the four Cs, which are cut, color, clarity, and carat, along with the setting. Certificates from major gemological labs help when present, but they are not required.
For signed and designer pieces, we add a brand premium that reflects what the secondary market is paying for that maker. When the evaluation is done, the offer is written down. You decide whether to accept, walk away, or come back later. We do not pressure, and we do not talk a piece down to lower the offer.
Selling gold jewelry in Chicago
Most of what we buy is gold. Chains, rings, charms, pendants, and broken pieces. The offer comes from three numbers: the karat, the weight, and the metal market the day you visit. Stones add value when they are diamonds or significant gemstones. Smaller or damaged stones do not subtract.
If your visit involves multiple gold pieces or a mix of jewelry and gold coins, our Chicago gold buyer process walks through every detail.
Sterling silver follows the same logic, scaled to silver pricing. If you are not sure whether a piece is sterling, see how to tell real silver.
Broken or mismatched pieces are part of the same conversation. Single earrings, snapped chains, bent rings, and settings with missing stones still have real value when the metal is gold, silver, or platinum. Bring the broken pile with the rest of your visit.
Selling diamond jewelry and engagement rings
Diamond jewelry is the second largest category we see. Engagement rings make up most of it. Sometimes the visit follows an upgrade, sometimes an inheritance, sometimes a divorce. We have evaluated many diamonds, and the conversation is calm and the math is shown.
Certified and uncertified diamonds are both welcome. A certificate makes the offer tighter and faster, but most of the diamonds we see are not certified. Our jeweler grades the stone in front of you using the standard 4Cs framework. For a deeper read on how the 4Cs translate to dollars, see how diamond evaluations work and the 4Cs that drive diamond price.
If your visit is specifically about a diamond piece, you can also start with our diamond buyer in Chicago page.
Designer, estate, and inherited jewelry
Signed pieces from recognized makers carry a premium that scrap weight alone misses. Boxes and papers help when you have them. If you do not, that is normal and not a problem.
For estate visits, you can bring a single piece or several boxes. If you have a maker’s mark you cannot identify, bring the piece anyway. Most marks can be identified at the counter.
For inherited pieces, we know the visit can feel personal. There is no pressure to sell during the visit, and a written offer can be taken home to consider.
Sell vs pawn, when each makes sense
Selling and pawning are two different transactions. When you sell, the piece becomes ours and you walk out with cash. When you pawn, the piece becomes collateral on a short term loan, and you can redeem it later. Selling pays more on day one because there is no risk. Pawning lets you keep the piece if you redeem inside the loan window.
Most people who walk in already know which one they want. If you are not sure, our decision guide on pawn vs sell covers the trade offs. For a broader view of selling jewelry in Chicago, see the full guide to selling jewelry in Chicago.
Visiting our Lincoln Park shop
- Address: 2626 N Clark, Chicago, IL 60614
- Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 5:30 PM
- What to bring: a government issued photo ID, the items themselves, and any boxes, papers, or certificates that came with the pieces
- Walk in policy: no appointment needed. If you have more than ten pieces or a full estate, calling ahead helps us set time aside.
Walk in to our Lincoln Park shop, no appointment needed.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an appointment to sell jewelry?
No. Drop in any time during business hours. If you have more than ten pieces, or you are clearing an estate, calling ahead helps us set aside time for a thorough evaluation.
How do you evaluate gold jewelry?
We test for purity, weigh the piece, and apply current market pricing the day you visit. Stones add value when they are diamonds or significant gemstones. Smaller stones are part of the offer but do not subtract from it.
Will you buy diamonds without a certificate?
Yes. A certificate makes the offer tighter and faster, but most of the diamonds we see are not certified. Our jeweler grades the stone in front of you using the standard 4Cs framework and explains what each one contributes to the final number.
Do you buy broken or single piece jewelry?
Yes. Broken chains, single earrings, bent rings, and settings with missing stones still have real value when the metal is gold, silver, or platinum. Bring broken pieces along with anything else you are considering selling. We separate scrap from intact pieces during the evaluation.
What should I bring to my visit?
A government issued photo ID, the jewelry itself, and any boxes, papers, or certificates that came with the pieces. Original boxes are not required. They help when the piece is from a major designer.
When you are ready to sell jewelry in Chicago, walk in to our Lincoln Park shop or stop by during business hours. The evaluation is free and there is no pressure to sell.
