In my last post I announced that I was going to do a Closet Purge -- going through my clothes and jewelry, pulling out what either doesn't fit, doesn't flatter or just simply falls in the "I can live without it" category. Several items were donated to Goodwill. Some items were sold on Craigslist or Ebay. But I also thought I'd research my options for selling some of these items locally at consignment stores.
I was happy to find some excellent options for cashing in on items that were just cluttering my closet and jewelry box. First of all, I pulled pieces of 14K jewelry that quite honestly, I had never worn. A couple of them were rings that belonged to my late mother. While the sentimentality issue was a heavy one to come to grips with, I realized that my mother would have approved. Times are tough and she would not have wanted to see my family and I struggling financially. There are pieces of jewelry that I inherited from her that I will never part with, and they will eventually be passed on to my children. But these other pieces were not doing anyone any good just sitting in my jewelry box.
The most reputable gold and jewelry buyer I know is David Levi of
David Levi & Sons Jewelers. His business is located in the Jewelers Exchange Building on 6th Avenue and E Streets in the Gaslamp neighborhood in San Diego. When you enter the building on 6th Avenue, immediately turn right and enter his store. Trust me, there are several gold and jewelry buyers in this building and in the neighborhood. But if you want the most for the items your're selling you have to see David. He's easy nice, knowledgeable and very well-respected. He has the highest possible rating on
Yelp.com.
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Dress to Impress 4242 Camino Del Rio North, #9 San Diego, CA 92108 (619) 528-9797 http://www.d2isd.com/ |
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Flashbacks – Hillcrest Location |
For several pieces of costume jewelry that I wanted to sell, I found two options:
Dress to Impress, a Mission Valley consignment store and
Flashbacks in San Diego's Hillcrest neighborhood. Dress to Impress does not buy your items outright, but will take them on consignment. Once they sell you receive a percentage of the sale. It's not immediate cash-in-hand, but at least for the time being, they are taking up space somewhere besides my little closet. As for Flashbacks, I felt a little intimidated at first walking into their store. It's hip, funky and retro. My 20-year old daughter Maddie would have felt much more at ease there. But after overcoming that momentary feeling of being out of place, I was greeted by the very friendly Jessica, who put me at ease. She bought a number of the jewelry items I had for sale and walked out with a nice sum of cash.
Across the street at
Buffalo Exchange, I sold two a coat and dress -- both of which I had never worn.
Overall, I think it's been a successful mission. Most women are guilty of buying on a whim, and having those items take up valuable real estate within their wardrobe. Some of those items even have tags still hanging from them. Get over the guilt and the idea that you'll actually wear it someday. If you haven't done so in the past 6 months...or more generously, a year -- chances are you never will. Get rid of it! Donate it or cash it in. You'll feel better, especially if you have some extra money because of it.
Orange is a hot color for Spring/Summer. In my design a pair of oval carnelian cabochons are featured in a gold plated setting. The bold pendant would be suspended from a 24" gold plated chain that has thick links. This would look great as a pop of color against neutrals, but I think it would also look amazing against a turquoise-colored top or dress
