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End Engagement Ring
updated: Mar 01, 2012, 3:21 PM

By Edhat Subscriber

I have a high end engagement ring from a first marriage gone bad. I am looking to part with it permanently, what are my options?

Not interested in pawn shops, cash for gold, or CL suggestions.

I am seeking legitimate referrals or suggestions as to who (locally) would purchase such a piece for resale or personal use. Thanks.

Comments in order of when they were received | (reverse order)

ROGER DODGER	2012-03-01 03:29 PM
Craiglist but watch out for the cops they are always on there trying to bust people.
COMMENT 260941	2012-03-01 03:29 PM
Truong & Co. in paseo nuevo next to the movie theater. Whatever you end up doing I would swing by there...really nice guy
COMMENT 260943	2012-03-01 03:33 PM
Drive to Vegas - go to the Pawn Starrs - Pawn Shop - make a deal - go have fun
COMMENT 260946	2012-03-01 03:37 PM
There are a few pawn shops in the area. And I think there's a cash-for-gold shop too. No luck there you could always try Craig's List.
COMMENT 260952	2012-03-01 03:42 PM
Throw it off the cold springs bridge, might have to heave that bit harder to get it over that barrier mind you.
COMMENT 260954P	2012-03-01 03:44 PM
Try Patco on Haley and see if they will sell if for you on consignment.
COMMENT 260962	2012-03-01 03:59 PM
Try Paul Brombal on upper state near Jeanine's or Gillio's on Figueroa
BURNTTHISTLE	2012-03-01 04:09 PM
Trade it in on a gift for the current Mrs. You are much more likely to get more in credit for it than selling it for outright cash
COMMENT 260971	2012-03-01 04:12 PM
Go to Patco and have them reset the stones into a lovely cocktail ring which you design yourself, and you can wear it and enjoy it much more than you did the marriage.
ROGER DODGER	2012-03-01 04:23 PM
Sorry didn't see you did not want to go to Craiglist.
COMMENT 260982	2012-03-01 04:28 PM
If the memories are not too painful have it reset with your favorite gem and enjoy it. Make something good out of something bad....forget pawn shops, they give you nothing. I recommend the Gem Shop on upper state for a new setting they are artists and can design anything and make it beautiful and they are nice honest people.
COMMENT 260989	2012-03-01 04:33 PM
Gillios! They have been in SB for a long time and are reputable and wonderful, they have a shop on Figueroa between State & Chapala.
SBPOODLELADY	2012-03-01 04:47 PM
Try some of the independently owned jewelry stores, most of them sell Estate pieces.
COMMENT 260998	2012-03-01 04:50 PM
We're sending a payload up into near space in May, we can take the ring and drop it from 20 miles up :) Contact us at happycapsule dot com :)
COMMENT 261023	2012-03-01 05:31 PM
Do the right thing and give it back to the man who gave it to you, or if you had children with him, give the ring or $$$ to them...or donate to charity. Even if you f-e-e-l that you deserve the money, this will settle your unsettled mind and all the bad juju will go away. Buying yourself another "thing" or spending it frivolously will only keep the memory of the bad relationship alive. Now go do the right thing and really put a nail in your unfortunate past.
COMMENT 261028	2012-03-01 05:37 PM
I agree with 23, Dr.Laura, yep that would be the right thing. Sell it and donate the money to the woman's shelter or your favorite charity. You will feel SO good and it will cleanse you from the bad memories.
COMMENT 261030	2012-03-01 05:38 PM
Don't bother with the local pawn shops, you are only getting pennies on the dollar.
COMMENT 261031P	2012-03-01 05:42 PM
This isn't from a broken engagement, this person was married to him or her. Either way, it's YOUR ring. Amazing the judgement you must endure from commenters. No one has any idea what this person may have gone through, or what their current circumstances are, and really, it's none of your beeswax! Other nice commenters have given some good suggestions, pay no mind to the meanies!
COMMENT 261042	2012-03-01 06:59 PM
I don't see one meaney or judgemental comment here....everyone is trying to be helpful and suggest options that would be in the best interest of the op. Maybe there are some that he/she hadn't even thought of before. I think there is a lot of creative thinking here and helpful suggestions. They can choose what is right for them and only they know what that is.
COMMENT 261058	2012-03-01 07:44 PM
Just give it back!
KIANA	2012-03-01 08:46 PM
Take it to someone reputable. Get an appraisal Then you will know the value of the ring Alot of the better places like Bryants and Sons etc will let you sell it in their shop on consignment By the time you get the appraisal back You will know what its worth and have time to think about WHAT YOU may want to do with it. No, on pawn shops. Craig list only if you have an appraisal, then you would sell it closer to the value of the ring. Why not EBAY? Especially if it has a nice value. With an appraisal it is not just your word of what the ring is worth. After all, it is yours
KIANA	2012-03-01 08:49 PM
Why did everything get so spaced out so strangely in my post? Forgot to mention, this is exactly what I plan on doing with mine.
COMMENT 261093	2012-03-01 11:29 PM
Having watched way too many [person's] Court shows in recent months, I feel safe saying that the engagement ring is yours to do with as you please. It was given in anticipation of marriage and you fulfilled that agreement when you married him. Had you not gone through with the marriage then you would need to return it. But you did marry him so the engagement ring is a done deal. There is no legal or ethical requirement to return it. As for the best way to sell it, get it appraised and take it to all of the reputable shops in town that handle jewelry in the price range of your ring. SB's not a huge place so that shouldn't take too long.
COMMENT 261122	2012-03-02 07:31 AM
Give it back
COMMENT 261142	2012-03-02 08:04 AM
Give it back to your ex. You don't mention the reason for the failure of your marriage, but mine failed because of spousal infidelity and failure to even apologise for it. Does it seem appropriate under such circumstance that an unfaithful wife should then sell an expensive engagement ring and profit from the lack of ethical and moral behavior and a gross breach of the marriage vows that were solemnly given? In the alternative, if there are children, then the proceeds of any sale should be given to them for their education or other worthwhile uses!
COMMENT 261143	2012-03-02 08:06 AM
The dirty little secret about diamonds is that you will get very little for it. I read an article on how de Beers and others have fixed the market. They don't want used diamonds cutting into their market. They mentioned that you will probably get less than 30% of the lowest price that the dealers tell you it is worth. Tiffany has a world wide policy of never buying used diamonds under pressure from de Beers. You would do better selling to a private party. Good luck.
COMMENT 261155	2012-03-02 08:22 AM
I would suggest Peggy's in Carpinteria.Gemologist is one of the owners. They have sold several high end pieces for me. Takes a bit of time but they have the reputation of having good estate jewelry. They sold a $20,000 diamond for a friend of mine. They will appraise your ring for you if you wish.
COMMENT 261163	2012-03-02 08:41 AM
@261031P Perhaps you misread ... I don't see anything judgmental here, other than your own post, which strikes me as very much so.
COMMENT 261168	2012-03-02 08:46 AM
I totally agree with 1023. This ring has an emotional charge attached to it and selling it off will not cut the ties to that charge. The man who gave it to you will always know you accepted HIS ring and only by returning it do you in fact REFUSE HIM. Even if you sell it you will be taking and spending his money which is still a gift from him with all the memories and blown expectations that came with it.
COMMENT 261179	2012-03-02 09:04 AM
Iguess no one actually read the entire post. OP clearly states NO pawn shops, Craigslist etc, and wants info on how to sell personally to someone who will use it. So many posts later and no joy. I don't have any info to contribute either tho. ;-)
COMMENT 261192	2012-03-02 09:28 AM
GMA did a segment on women selling their rings. A google of "engagement rings selling GMA" should get you to the archive. If memory serves they offer suggestions for where to sell.
COMMENT 261198	2012-03-02 09:35 AM
seriously people, if you are married and then not married you don't have to give jewelry back!! how silly! in a divorce it is decided who keeps what and if the OP has the ring then obvs it is theirs to do with what they wish. sheesh. it's a GIFT, for crying out loud. i personally sold my 3 wedding / engagement rings to a jeweler and used the money to go back to school ... back in the 90's, in another state, after 8 years of marriage.
COMMENT 261211	2012-03-02 09:59 AM
I think it's funny that everyone has ASSUMED that the OP is a woman. Probably, but it could also be the MAN who bought the ring, got it back after the divorce, and is looking to sell it. That's what happened to me 14 years ago. I took the engagement ring I bought (and my wedding band) to a jewelry place on State St that was down from the Arlington a block or two, but I fear they are not there anymore. Regardless who you take it too, don't expect to get any more than 20% of what was paid for the ring.
COMMENT 261234	2012-03-02 10:29 AM
I highly recommend Churchill Jewelers on State St. Family owned and operated, and very friendly and knowledgeable. I was in the exact same situation and wanted to do the same. I went to Churchill and have been very pleased. They will give you a few options - consignment, outright purchase or store credit. It's up to you which option you'd like to go with, assuming they want your ring.
COMMENT 261244	2012-03-02 10:51 AM
Agree with Patco and Paul Brombal for advice. Pat can polish it and prepare it for resale. My mother had her wedding ring stones reset for me (daughter), added a blue sapphire, and I enjoyed it. A friend sold hers and put it toward a down payment on a house and stock. BTW, the ring is a "gift" and doesn't have to be returned.
COMMENT 261279	2012-03-02 12:15 PM
Silverhorn Jewelers in Montecito buys "buried treasures," i.e. pre-owned jewelry. I recommend talking to them.
COMMENT 261321	2012-03-02 02:57 PM
Find another girlfriend to give it too
COMMENT 261334	2012-03-02 04:25 PM
My input is not to mention the history of the ring when you sell it. People always react negatively when they know it's from a broken marriage. Just say that it was a gift.
COMMENT 261348P	2012-03-02 05:51 PM
Second for Paul Bronbal and Pat at Patco. Try both. We just had family diamonds made into a new ring by Pat; we trust him completely.
EZ2	2012-03-03 07:57 AM
Silverhorn 969-0442 or sell it on edhat classifieds
MOOSE	2012-03-03 11:31 AM
Do the right thing. Give it back.
COMMENT 261522	2012-03-03 12:59 PM
She did give it back! That's the reason I am trying to get rid of it now. Thanks to all the useful, helpful suggestions. Gives me quite a bit to think about. I did have the ring appraised by Bryant and Sons a while ago, they were wonderfully helpful. Happy weekend!

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