Secondhand Jewelry Policy (Buy, Sell, Trade)

Welcome to our Secondhand Jewelry and Estate Department. To ensure full compliance with the laws of the State of Maryland and local law enforcement, we operate under strict legal guidelines regarding the acquisition, trade, and resale of previously owned jewelry, estate pieces, and precious metal items.

By selling, trading, or purchasing used jewelry through our store, you agree to the following terms and conditions.

 

1. Selling or Trading Your Jewelry to Us

We buy, trade, and accept select secondhand fine jewelry, vintage items, and precious metals. To comply with Maryland's Secondhand Precious Metal Object Dealers and Pawnbrokers Act, all incoming transactions must adhere to these legal mandates:

• Age Requirements: Sellers must be at least 18 years of age. We cannot buy items from or conduct trade transactions with minors under any circumstances.

• Verification of Identification: Sellers must provide a valid, current, government-issued photo identification (e.g., Driver’s License, State ID, or Passport). We are legally required to record your ID details, physical characteristics, and signature.

• Proof and Declaration of Ownership: You will be required to sign a formal statement certifying that you are the sole, lawful owner of the items being offered for sale or trade, or that you have explicit, documented legal authority to act on behalf of the owner.

• Required Law Enforcement Reporting: Under Maryland law, every secondhand transaction we conduct is reported electronically to local and state law enforcement agencies by the next business day.

 

2. Mandatory Legal Hold Period

• The 18-Day Rule: All secondhand jewelry and precious metal items acquired by our store are subject to a mandatory 18-day law enforcement hold.

• Processing Delay: During this 18-day period, acquired items are securely stored on-site. They cannot be altered, resized, repaired, melted down, or placed on our sales floor for public purchase until the holding window has legally cleared.

• Payment Processing: Depending on local county regulations, certain high-value transactions or specific item types may require payment via company check or store credit rather than immediate cash.

 

3. Purchasing Pre-Owned & Estate Jewelry

We take pride in our curated selection of estate, vintage, and pre-owned fine jewelry. Please review our buying terms:

• Condition of Items: All pre-owned, vintage, and estate jewelry items are sold "As-Is" and "With All Faults." Minor surface wear, patina, and historical characteristics are expected in vintage pieces.

• Return and Exchange Policy: Due to the unique nature of secondhand inventory and regulatory tracking, all sales of estate, vintage, and pre-owned jewelry are final. We do not accept returns or exchanges on secondhand items unless otherwise stated in writing at the exact time of purchase.

• Alterations & Resizing: If you request sizing or alterations on a pre-owned item, the piece becomes a custom order and is permanently ineligible for structural adjustments or price modifications.

 

4. Right of Refusal and Stolen Property

• Right of Refusal: We reserve the right to decline the purchase or trade-in of any item at our sole discretion, without providing a specific justification.

• Stolen Property: In the event that an item brought to us matches a police report or is identified by law enforcement as suspected stolen property, we will fully cooperate with authorities, freeze the transaction, and surrender the item to police custody as required by Maryland state law.

 

Disclaimer: This policy page is intended for customer informational purposes and is designed to comply with Maryland law. We update these policies dynamically to reflect changes in local county ordinances or state legislation.