Tools for Preparing Jewelry to Sell

Jewelry is rarely ready to go when you receive it. The posts on the earrings need to be straightened, the pendant needs a bail, gold or silver needs to tested, sizing rings, the sterling needs to be cleaned (although there are two schools of thought about cleaning and not cleaning sterling), precious metals need to be weight in grams, measurements need to be taken, the tongue and groove clasp needs adjustment, etc. Look over the piece for condition. I don't sell pieces unless they are in great condition but on the times I do, I am very careful to point out any flaw or defect. Read the hallmark on the back and research its history. Put the piece on and check out how it wears and the clasps work. I call this my test drive. Wearing some of my favorite pieces of jewelry is hard but someone has to do it. LOL!

Description of tools:
10k, 14k, 18k, 22k, silver testing solution and scratch block (make sure you get the scratch block)
http://jewelry.shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksid=p5197.m570.l1313&_nkw=gold+testing+kit&_sacat=281

Check out eBay! They have great kits for about 25 bucks with 3 stones, 10k, 14k, 18k, 24k, platinum, and silver test acids and also a STOP neutralizer solution.I also have had fellow vintage jewelry sellers that use the cheapest Mizar gold testers with great success.

I have tried different scales. Needs to be a jewelry scale and reads in grams reads down to .01g for gold). Tried different models, don't go expensive and don't  pick one that runs on button batteries. Buttons are expensive and hard to recycle. I use Digiweigh runs on 2 AAA batteries. You also need a scale that can be calibrated and you need the calibrating weight that works with your scale (50g, 100g, etc.).

Jewelry pliers flat and round heads.

Ring sizer wand. Measures ring size from 1 to 15.

Jewelry Loupe. Helps you view hallmarks. See large flaws in gems.

Wrights Silver Cream. Have tried many sterling cleaners. Wrights is my favorite and you can pick it up at the hardware store.