In the couture jewelry and diamond category, San Diego Jewelry Buyers’ offerings include a round 6.00 carat G, VS1 diamond for $275,000; a radiant cut 5.12 carat Fancy Yellow Diamond ring for $82,500; a round 10.01 carat K,VS2 diamond for $210,000; and a round 10.03 carat I, VS1 diamond for $420,000.

In the fine mechanical watch category, San Diego Jewelry Buyers offerings include a Men’s Pre-Owned (2001) Rolex Masterpiece Special Edition. This unique platinum timepiece is priced at $50,000, and includes a full diamond bezel and diamond dial. Also available to the horology connoisseur is a Men’s Pre-Owned (2004) Patek Philippe 5040. Priced at $55,000, this timepiece is crafted in 18K yellow gold and comes with a leather band.

San Diego Jewelry Buyers also has more modest mechanical watches and fine jewelry available for holiday shoppers. “We have thousands of loose diamonds in our inventory,” says Blackburn, “plus a wide selection of estate and vintage jewelry. In other words, our vault can more than match the expectations of almost any budget or discerning need.”

Of course, San Diego Jewelry Buyers is also available to purchase or provide an instant collateral loan on any gold, jewelry, or watch item for customers who need extra funds this holiday season. “We are open to purchase any product that is made from gold, silver, or platinum, or which has been set with diamonds or gemstones,” says Blackburn.

Located in downtown San Diego, within the Jewelers Exchange Building, San Diego Jewelry Buyers has been in the luxury pawnbroker and jewelry buying business for over thirty years. Their reputation is such that KUSI TV News chose to feature them in a news program aimed at helping consumers choose a good gold buyer. To find out more about what items SDJB has for sale or how they can help you get instant cash with no credit check, call them toll-free at: 800 557 9413.

For more information about the company, visit their website at SanDiegoJewelryBuyers.com.

Located at the Jewelers Exchange Building in the gas-lamp quarter of downtown San Diego, SDJB leverages over 30 years of industry experience and fine jewelry expertise to make certain that customers receive the fairest cash offers and loans for their diamond/gemstone jewelry, and premiere brand watches.

San Diego Jewelry Buyers (SDJB), California’s luxury pawnbroker and diamond buyer of choice, is extending its market reach with a new advertising campaign that targets high net-worth professionals in Rancho Santa Fe, Solana Beach, Carlsbad, Del Mar, La Jolla, and other affluent communities in the region. SDJB has begun the campaign with a featured ad in the latest issue of Ranch & Coast, San Diego’s luxury lifestyle magazine.

“In the past, we have reached out to professionals in Olivenhain, Carmel Valley, Santaluz, and other affluent areas primarily through our website SanDiegoJewelryBuyers.com,” says Carl Blackburn, owner of SDJB. “But since our website is now well-established, we are taking some of our rather modest advertising budget to place ads in a select group of leading luxury lifestyle magazines.”

According to Blackburn, San Diego Jewelry Buyers only allocates a small amount to advertising (versus the millions that national jewelry and gold buyers spend) so that it can pay clients more for their fine jewelry, diamonds, gold, and premier brand watches. “At SDJB we see ourselves as more than just a buyer of fine jewels or an elite luxury pawn shop; we are a hands-on financial services provider; and that means keep our operating costs down to a minimum, so that we can provide better collateral loans and higher buying offers.”

Ranch & Coast magazine was chosen to start SDJB’s new advertising campaign because the popular publication reaches into not only San Diego’s most affluent zip codes but also luxury hotels and premier news-stands across California, Arizona, and Nevada. This advertising push beyond San Diego County coincides with SDJB’s recent free courier service to sellers of diamonds and other luxury estate assets in Arizona cities such as Phoenix, Scottsdale, Glendale, and Tempe.

Featured by KUSI TV News as a trusted gold jewelry buyer, SDJB has been buying high-branded assets such as Tiffany jewelry, Rolex watches, and Harry Winston diamonds for over 30 years. Located conveniently within the San Diego Jewelry Exchange, the company also helps customers who seek custom-made engagement rings set with large estate diamonds. “Whether you’re someone who wants to buy bespoke jewelry or sell a Cartier necklace, we encourage you to call SDJB first,” says Blackburn. “We are here to help you with any decision related to the buying or selling of precious metal and diamond assets.”

Please call SDJB toll free at 800 557 9413f or a free consultation or visit them online at SanDiegoJewelryBuyers.com.

The Associated Press is reporting that gold’s remarkable run has implications far beyond smart investors. In New York’s diamond district, more people started showing up late last year to sell their gold, and the crush hasn’t let up, said Anthony Iannelli, owner of Iannelli Diamonds.

“They’re bringing in jewelry from the ’70s and ’80s they don’t wear anymore,” he said. “They’re following the news and see prices are high. They realize they have a little cache, and want to take it out of the vault.”

Typically, gold is a safe place for investors to park their money, says the AP, not something they buy to make money. It doesn’t earn any interest, and because it’s always sought-after, its value tends to be fairly stable. For example, when gold first reached $1,000 it was in March 2008, shortly after the collapse of investment bank Bear Stearns. Investors bought it up then because they feared for the stability of the financial system.

This time is different. Investors — think of them as the ’09ers — are buying gold to protect themselves against the falling dollar. Currencies are weak investments around the world because of record-low interest rates. Foreign banks that hold substantial amounts of U.S. debt, such as China’s, want to diversify their holdings. News earlier this month that India’s central bank bought nearly $7 billion worth of gold from the International Monetary Fund triggered a frenzy of gold buying.

The surge has been remarkable. Gold is up 7 percent just this month, and 26 percent for the year. Some forecasters see it going to $1,200, $1,500 or beyond — unless the buying frenzy comes to a halt. That is good news for folks in San Diego looking to sell their old gold jewelry and other gold items.

San Diego Jewelry Buyers (SDJB), the elite pawnbroker of San Diego County, has reported a steady increase in immediate cash loans on luxury collateral, such as fine jewelry, gold coins, rare timepieces, and large carat diamonds. According to Carl Blackburn, president of San Diego Jewelry Buyers, the rise in its large instant cash loans is due to a combination of factors: the privacy SDJB ensures its clients; the fact that no credit check is required; continued lending restrictions among banks; and the ability his company has to offer significant cash loans on the spot.

“Since the second quarter of 2009, when we increased our loan limits on qualified collateral, we have seen a notable increase in 25-50k loans, on everything from high grade vintage watches and large estate diamonds, to rare jewel-studded writing instruments and custom made fine jewelry,” says Blackburn. “The credit crunch has been especially hard on many high net worth entrepreneurs in San Diego,” he adds. “And fortunately we’ve been in the position to help many small businesses maintain their liquidity after they’ve been turned down by banks or other institutional lenders who continue to tighten their purse-strings.”

According to San Diego Jewelry Buyers, the company will accept any luxury asset for collateral that is fashioned from precious metal (gold, platinum, or silver) or which includes precious gemstones, such as diamonds, sapphires, and emeralds. SDJB also offers large cash loans on exceptional timepieces, providing generous valuations on exclusive brands such as Rolex, Cartier, Patek Philippe, Panerai, and Audemars Piguet, as long as the hard market value of the watch qualifies for the company’s minimum loan amount of $2500. For loans below $2500, the company recommends customers use one of the many jewelry pawnbrokers in San Diego that require no minimum.

“We have a special interest in many top shelf brands of Swiss timepieces,” adds Blackburn. “And our staff has decades of experience evaluating the real worth of these mechanical works of art. A rare or vintage timepiece could still qualify a client for a substantial loan, even if the piece is not fashioned in gold or platinum.”

The process for receiving an instant collateral loan from San Diego Jewelry Buyers is described as follows:

1. Call or email SDJB to set an appointment.
2. Bring in your valuable items.
3. SDJB’s qualified consultants will appraise your items while you watch.
4. You will receive cash on the spot against the value of your items.

To learn more about SDJB and read about the personal experiences of their customers, as well as view a TV news program which features the company, please visit them at: SanDiegoJewelryBuyers.com.

As the economy continues to tighten, the San Diego Jewelers Exchange (SDJEX) has emerged as the must-stop shopping complex for San Diego jewelry shoppers looking to make the most of their hard-earned dollar. The SDJEX is becoming increasingly popular because shoppers can sell their old jewelry here and then use that extra cash to help purchase a new item from one of the many affordable retail shops or artisan studios located inside the Jewelers Exchange Building.

“Over the past several months, we have seen a tremendous increase in business,” says Carl Blackburn, president of San Diego Jewelry Buyers (SDJB), the exchange’s leading buyer of pre-owned watches, gold, and diamond jewelry. “Some shoppers are coming to us to get extra cash to pay the bills, but many are using the money we pay them to finance a new gift for a loved one. Here at the San Diego Jewelers Exchange, we can find customers the perfect jewelry gift, plus help them finance that purchase.”

According to Blackburn, shoppers often take advantage of San Diego Jewelry Buyers’ large stock of pre-owned fine diamonds, watches, and estate jewelry, which has been restored to pristine condition. Other times, Blackburn takes customers to visit one of the exchange’s many fine jewelry artisans, such as award-winning designer Timothy Meier, to order a custom-made ring, earring, or necklace.

“No matter what you are looking for, a Tiffany diamond ring, a Rolex watch, a David Yurman bangle, or a one-of-a-kind creation, at the San Diego Jewelers Exchange you’ll be able to get it at a price well below original retail,” says Blackburn. “And the bonus is that we are located in the Gaslamp Quarter of Downtown San Diego, right next to the dining and entertainment district, so with the money you save, you can head over to one of the many excellent restaurants and entertainment venues to enjoy a great evening.”

To learn more about the jewelry buying and collateral loan services provided by San Diego Jewelry Buyers visit their website at: www.sandiegojewelrybuyers.com or drop by their showroom (Suite 110) at the Jewelers Exchange Building.

To better serve the San Diego community, San Diego Jewelry Buyers (SDJB) has announced that it has increased the firm’s limit on collateral cash loans on diamonds, fine jewelry, and watches to $250,000 per customer. According to SDJB president Carl Blackburn, the company has increased its cash loan limits due to the declining accessibility of mortgage loans from traditional banking institutions.

“The economy has unexpectedly put so many individuals and businesses in a tough spot right now,” says Blackburn. “Many just need a little extra cash until the economy turns the corner. We are fortunate to be in a position where we can help them through this rough patch.”

Blackburn says that the benefits of SDJB’s collateral cash loans are that they do not put a customer’s credit rating at risk, and there never are any hidden fees or surprises. When a customer owns diamonds, jewelry, or fine watches that qualify them for a cash loan at SDJB, they know exactly how much monthly interest will accrue. If a loan is defaulted on, SDJB always notifies the client before selling the collateral. Cash loans begin with collateral valued at $2,500.

San Diego Jewelry Buyers also provides a high level of customer privacy. No credit check is ever required and the company never voluntarily discloses information about its clients and their transactions. Although a provider of pawnbroker services, SDJB is a pawn shop like a Rolex is a wristwatch. “Our downtown location inside the Jewelers Exchange Building provides a welcome level of comfort, dignity, and confidentiality to our clients,” says Blackburn. “We treat them with the respect that they deserve. We’re also easier and friendlier to deal with than a bank.”

To learn more about SDJB’s cash loans on diamonds, estate jewelry, Swiss timepieces, and precious metals, please visit SanDiegoJewelryBuyers.com.

Joel Arthur Rosenthal affects to be known by a single name: JAR (no periods). His shop in Paris’ Place Vendôme has no display window, no regular hours. It does not advertise and opens its doors to only a select few, including Elizabeth Taylor, Elle Macpherson, Barbara Walters, Ann Getty, Mary Pinault and Jo Carole Lauder (and reportedly Marie-Josée Kravis, Marella Agnelli and Princess Firyal of Jordan).

According to a report by Forbes, the craftsmen in Switzerland and France who make is jewelry produce only 70 to 80 pieces a year, each of them one of a kind and many designed with a particular buyer in mind. JAR reserves the right to refuse to sell an item if he doesn’t think it will look good on the intended wearer. His creations often sell for twice what the first buyer paid.

Rosenthal graduated from Harvard in 1966, then moved to Paris. He dabbled first in scriptwriting, then needlepoint, opening a tiny shop where he experimented with unusually colored yarn. Its clientele included designers from Hermès and Valentino. Rosenthal one day was asked if he could design a mount for a gemstone. That sent his career in a new direction. After a brief stint as a salesman at Bulgari in New York he returned to Paris in 1977 and started designing pieces that relied at first on inexpensive stones like coral, moonstone, and minute colored diamonds.

He focused on pavé, a technique for setting small stones so close together that they look paved with jewels. His settings are so finely wrought as to be virtually invisible, and gradations of color progress from subtle to vivid. Unlike other jewelers, he uses a dark metal alloy for the settings to highlight the gems’ color.

Only twice has Rosenthal displayed his jewels to the public, most recently in London in 2002. Four hundred pieces lent by 145 JAR faithful were crowded into small vitrines. He insisted that the lights be dimmed and that flashlights be given to his guests, who groped and gaped their way from case to case.

Considering how hard hit the Beverly Hills community now is by the current economy, you just might find the unthinkable, a JAR piece in a high-end pawn shop. If you do, and happen to have an unusually large amount of money to spare, a JAR piece would certainly be a glamorous piece to add to your investment portfolio.

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If you think we were just joking about finding a piece of JAR jewelry at a Beverly Hills pawn shop, we really weren’t. The pawn shop industry in exclusive California neighborhoods is doing gangbuster business. Read about it at: Beverly Hills Pawn Shop Sees Surge.

With increased business being conducted by buyers and loan providers of gold, jewelry, diamonds, and watches, consumer concerns have been raised regarding personal confidentiality, as well as public security. In response to these concerns, and to clear up any potential confusion, we at the San Diego Luxury Pawn Shop Report thought it would be good if we laid down the kinds of security and confidentiality polices that your jewelry buyer or pawn shop should have in place.

PERSONEL CONFIDENTIALITY

Your jewelry buyer should not share the names or personal information of sellers or loan receivers with any third parties, except those required by law. If the buyer buys gold, diamonds, watches, or some other valuable item in excess of $10,000, the IRS will be notified via the required filing of the IRS 8300 form.

PUBLIC SECURITY

Your jewelry buyer or pawn shop should dutifully follow the federal guidelines regarding anti-money-laundering, and has in place written policies and procedures to detect and report suspicious transactions to the government. They should strictly follow California State laws, and submit a list of all merchandise received every day to the local police. This is done so that the police can compare the items against records of stolen merchandise, which protects both the business, as well those people who may have had objects stolen.

All legitimate San Diego gold buyers and jewelry loan providers who qualify under the law should be following these procedures. And you are encouraged to ask buyers about the policies that they have in place before doing business with them. By working together, we can work toward ensuring a secure environment surrounding the buying and selling of diamonds, gold, and other precious items.

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Now that you feel more secure about selling your fine jewelry to a San Diego jewelry buyer, don’t just go running out to sell your items to the first buyer. Read our informative sellers articles first, like: Selling Your Diamond Engagement Ring.

San Diego Jewelry Buyers has updated its Knowledge section for sellers of fine jewelry, gold, diamonds, and watches with advice for consumers looking to sell their diamond engagement ring. “It is always a difficult and emotional situation when someone is thinking about selling an engagement ring or bridal jewelry,” says Alan Blyler, a spokesperson for San Diego Jewelry Buyers, “so we wanted to lay down some practical and personal things to think about before making a decision.”

On the personal side, San Diego Jewelry Buyers recommends that women who are in the process of getting a divorce should wait until the papers are signed before selling their engagement ring and other bridal related jewelry. Feelings among married couples often change at the last minute, and the prospect of losing an engagement ring and wedding band forever should the couple reconcile is something to remember. Customers in need of money immediately are advised to sell less sentimental diamond jewelry, or use it as collateral for a loan.

On the practical side, San Diego Jewelry Buyers informs potential sellers of diamond engagement rings that bridal jewelry which was appraised in the past for insurance purposes was valued at the estimated retail price. This price is much higher than what a customer can expect on the second-hand (used) jewelry market. Consumers who decide to get their engagement ring appraised before they resell it are advised to tell the appraiser that they would like a resell price estimate.

To read the rest of San Diego Jewelry Buyers’ tips for sellers of diamond engagement rings and bridal jewelry (as well as other timely advice on how to sell your gold, watches, and diamonds) please visit the Knowledge section of their website at:

http://www.sandiegojewelrybuyers.com/knowledge/jewelry/51-sell-your-diamond-engagement-ring.html

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Did you know that Mahama Ghandi had a favorite watch that he carried with him? It was a Zenith pocketwatch, and you can read about it at: Ghandi’s Watch Sold at Auction.

San Diego holiday shoppers should take note that iGavel (a leader in online auctions) is currently hosting an online jewelry auction. As we are now in a buyer’s market, iGavel has worked with many of its consigners to lower estimates and reserves in order to have a successful auction. Therefore, this is a great time to purchase jewelry at prices that are more reasonable than have been seen in years.

The auction includes a varied selection of vintage and designer jewelry. Recent highlights have included a 3 carat sapphire and diamond ring, estimated at $1,200-$1,800 with a starting bid of $800; a Diamond, Gold and Pearl Convertible Brooch or Pendant, estimated at $2,500-$3,500, with a starting bid of $1,800; and an Antique 14K White Gold, Emerald and Diamond Pierced Work Horizontal Brooch, with the emerald under 2 carats, and diamonds totaling close to four carats. This piece is estimated at $3,000-$5,000, with a starting bid of $1,995.

The watches included in the iGavel auction are often exceptional. Over the past ten days, items have included a Bovet, Fleurier, Enamel and Gold Open Face Key-wind Watch for the Chinese Market, 19th Century, estimated at $500-$700, with a starting bid of $250; a Gold and Enamel Keywind Watch, Just & Son, London, 19th Century, Estimated at $800-$1,200, with a starting bid of $500. Also included is a Gold Cartier Ladies Watch, Paris, late 20th century, from a private South American collector. This piece is estimated at $2,000-$3,000, with a starting bid of only $900.

Check out iGavel.com to see if these items are still up for auction, and to discover what other new jewelry and watches have been placed up for bidding.

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Shoppers in San Diego take note that a huge stash of gold coins, jewelry, and other gold items are soon going to be up for sale. Read the details about the auction at: Treasure Trove to be Auctioned.