FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

These are our most frequently asked questions at Precious Metals Refinery. If you have any questions that are not on this page, please feel free to contact us.

Do you buy silver-plated items?

We do not buy silver-plated items, but we do buy any type of sterling silver. Some of the stamps we are interested in purchasing are 925, 900, 835, 800, sterling silver, or coin & bullion silver.

Do you buy flatware/tea sets?

We purchase sterling silver flatware/tea sets.

Do you purchase dental gold and silver?

Yes, we buy gold of many varieties, including dental gold, platinum, silver, and palladium.

Will you buy loose diamonds?

We buy all diamonds, any cut, carat, color, & clarity.

Are certain diamond shapes more expensive than others?

Yes, the round shape has a higher demand and is, therefore, slightly more expensive than other shapes. It is also the most utilized shape for jewelry.

Do you buy gold-filled jewelry?

We do buy gold-filled jewelry. It is about the same price as silver.

Do you buy broken jewelry?

Yes, we do purchase broken jewelry.

Do you buy gold/silver bullion?

Yes, we buy gold bullion and silver bullion, and we also sell gold bullion and silver bullion. We pay the market price of silver to $2.00 under the spot price of silver on bullion depending on the quantity and type of silver you have. We purchase gold bullion for 92-99% of the spot price depending on the type of gold, quantity, and current market demand.

Do you buy coins?

Yes, we buy gold and silver coins. We pay top dollar for graded Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) and Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) coins. For numismatic coins, we pay high collector value.

Does the fluctuating price of metals affect what I get in cash for gold or jewelry?

Our assessment follows market prices. Our computer system gives us real-time current market prices updated every few seconds.

Do you make custom jewelry?

If you can draw it, we can make it. You can choose the type of metal that your piece will be made of, as well as the size of diamonds/gemstones that you would like included in your piece.

Do you do trades on jewelry?

Yes, we will trade an item you would like to purchase for an equal value of materials that you bring in to sell to us. We will apply the full metal value along with a substantially higher percentage of the diamond and gemstone value of your items towards the purchase of jewelry and/or design services. The metal and gemstones from your jewelry can also be used for a trade-in value.

Does the company use scales that are certified by the state and legal trade scales?

At PMR, every item is weighed on a precision scale that was inspected and approved by the State Department of Weights and Measures.

How long has the company been in the precious metals and jewelry business?

Our Family member and inspiration to start the business, Richard Baron, was in the fine jewelry business for over 50 years. Richard Baron established The National Association of Jewelry Appraisers.

Does the company take your possessions into a “backroom” to evaluate?

We have no backrooms. We invite you to our private buying offices. All of our locations are permanent, private, and secure. Your items stay within your sight at all times. Each transaction is confidential.

Are you dealing with a middleman?

At PMR, you are working directly with the refinery and the buyer.

Are their buyers qualified or just salespeople?

All of our buyers are GIA-certified diamond professionals and we also have Graduate Gemologists on staff. A highly skilled, qualified buyer performs all tests and evaluations in your presence. We evaluate your items, educate you on the process and make you an immediate cash offer.

Are they qualified to examine and assess the value of your heirlooms, including watches and silver?

At PMR, our family history is in appraisals. Our expertise is internationally renowned, and 65% of our business is from return customers and referrals.

Why can’t you pay me the price that’s on my written insurance appraisal?

Appraisals tend to be overinflated for the insurance company but do not accurately reflect today’s current market value. Please bring the appraisal with you when you come to Precious Metals. Appraisals tend to be great for measurements and descriptions of the items.

I found some placer gold in the desert, will you buy it as is?

Yes, we will buy your placer gold, however, we must first do a refining contract on the materials to identify how much gold purity is in the placer. We will pay up to 95% on a refining contract for gold.

If I bring in a written quote from a competitor, will you beat it?

As long as we can verify the quote, and it comes from a reliable source, we will beat the price to gain your business.

If I want to sell my jewelry on consignment, is that an option?

Yes, we can sell your jewelry on consignment if it’s a good fit for our store. We will write up an agreement and place your items for sale for up to 90 days. Once your item sells we will pay you 80% of the selling price.

Is your refinery here in Tucson?

We have a confidential secure gold refining warehouse in Tucson. We have all the state-of-the-art equipment to melt and assay gold, silver, platinum, and palladium.

Can I pay off my pawn/loan early?

Yes, your loan can be paid off any time before the 90-day maturity date.

My collection is quite large and I’m not comfortable bringing it to your store. May I set an appointment for you to come to my home?

We are available 7 days a week to evaluate your items. Click the “Contact” tab above in order to schedule an appointment with us!

So how can you determine if your jewelry is real?

There are a few easy ways to tell if your jewelry is real or not:

• The first initial test would be to find a strong magnet and see if your jewelry sticks to the magnet. If it does stick then it’s definitely not a precious metal. So, in this case, it would not be gold, platinum, or silver.
• Looking at the item and making sure there is not any discoloration or coating coming off. If this is the case, the item is likely plated and not real.
• Looking for brand names and hallmarks is also important. If you are looking at prestigious brands, such as Tiffany & Co, it should have their brand name stamped on the jewelry. The stamp should be crisp, straight, and very clear to read. Hallmarks such as 10k, 14k, 18k, or 416, 585, & 750 are also good indications that your item is most likely real.
• Having a trusted diamond certificate helps laboratories such as; GIA, EGL, and IGI, among others. This is a sure way to tell that your diamond is authentic.
• If you are still having doubts about your jewelry’s authenticity, you should have it appraised to put your mind at ease. At PMR, we have experts and complex machinery to accurately appraise your items.

Why is it better to sell directly to a PMR Buyer?

When you sell your jewelry, it’s always better to sell directly to an educated buyer rather than going through a middleman. Selling directly to PMR eliminates paying a middleman to appraise your jewelry. Our staff are highly trained professionals and undergo the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) training. PMR is able to pay more because we have clients all over the world, rather than just the local market. Coming into PMR and having your items evaluated is the best way to get the most money.

Tell us about what services you offer at PMR.

At Precious Metals Refinery, we purchase gold, jewelry, diamonds, watches, silver, and coins. Not only do we buy, but we also sell quality authentic jewelry and watches without the huge markup that you would see at large jewelry stores. In addition to this, we offer: free evaluations, jewelry cleaning, watch battery replacement, and jewelry repair. Unlike other jewelry stores, we offer flexible collateral loans at competitive rates. A loan from PMR is a great way to add extra cash to your wallet without parting from your valuable items.

What should people do if they are considering selling their valuables?

Call us at (520) 214- 7822 or click on the “Locations” tab above to view the location nearest to you. When a client comes into PMR it is a one-on-one private consultation. All of your items are treated respectfully and never leave your sight. Our expert staff will give you the most accurate information and the best price for your items. Give us a call or click on the “Contact” tab above in order to schedule an appointment!

What should you look for when buying or selling a diamond?

The most important thing when determining a diamond’s value is the 4 C’s: cut, color, clarity, and carat.

Cut measures workmanship, not a diamond’s inherent qualities. The way a stone is cut enhances sparkle and luminosity and can hide flaws.

Color is graded by letter and ranges from D to Z. A & D are rare and colorless. As you progress down the scale, the stones increase in color. E and F are considered excellent, but G or H diamonds can look just as good to the naked eye. N to Z stones typically will have a yellow tint and are not very favorable.

Clarity measures diamond flaws, called inclusions, which might appear as tiny spots, clouds, or cavities.

Finally, carat is a weight measurement. There is no ideal size for a diamond, it depends on your budget and taste. Small diamonds are cheaper than large diamonds. A ring with three small diamonds totaling 1 carat costs less than a single 1 carat stone of similar quality.

What is the best way to sell a diamond?

The best way to sell diamonds or any jewelry is an in-person consultation. You should avoid selling items online as you may not be getting an accurate evaluation. At PMR we are happy to provide you with a free appraisal. One of the things that make PMR unique is that all transactions are conducted privately and your jewelry will never leave your sight. Additionally, PMR is one of the only jewelry stores in Tucson that utilize a radar gun. This gives us the ability to determine the exact composition of your items and ensures that you get paid exactly what your items are worth. If you are looking to sell your jewelry, Precious Metals Refinery can guarantee you the best price. We have GIA Gemologists, who ensure the most accurate appraisal possible.

What is a GIA Gemologist?

GIA stands for Gemological Institute of America and is a world-leading authority on diamonds, gems, and pearls. Gemologists with GIA credentials are up-to-date on groundbreaking research and trained by leading industry experts. If you want the very best, and the most money for your items, then you need to make sure a GIA-certified gemologist is the one evaluating.

What kind of jewelry can you sell?

There are many businesses that will buy all different kinds of jewelry. Most jewelry buyers will purchase precious metals and stones. At PMR we buy any jewelry made from gold, silver, sterling, and platinum. We buy designer jewelry, custom jewelry, and estate jewelry. We also frequently purchase many gemstones, pearls, and watches.

If you are looking to sell your precious metals, jewelry, or watches, come to PMR where you will always get the most. Schedule an appointment today!