Is wanting to pawn jewelry bad? am i a bad person for considering it?

15 Comments

Not really IIN, moreso a question of morality. Some backstory; I am young and I think expensive jewelry is a waste. I was given a piece by my uncle that he came into possession to a few years ago. It has no sentimental value for him, nor anyone else in my family.

It's one of a kind, and worth about 8,000 (and no, he did not spend that much for it) and that's... a lot of money. I keep this thing safe and secure but when I'm reminded of it, or look at it, I just think of better ways to put that kind of money towards, and not even recreational or "fun" things - useful bills. I could pay off my car with this.

Despite it having no sentimental value to him, or anyone in my family - I'm wondering if I'm a bad person for wanting to pawn it. If this was something that was given to me like a family heirloom, something with a story relevant to us and its importance, I wouldn't consider it unless I was on the verge of homelessness.

But I don't feel bad about selling this because, as I said, it means nothing to us.

The other reason, and most prominent, is that it feels like a cheat code, or an easy way out. Like, I was just handed this pricy piece of gold and such, with no reason and I acknowledge that I am very fortunate.

I am considered a generous person. When I have the money, I try - even when I don't, I spare some to friends or others. Even if I don't have money I do my best to spread kindess throughout the world... When I can afford it, my idea is to make up for selling this (if I do) by being more charitable with donations.

What would you do? Am I a terrible person?

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Comments ( 15 )
  • Boojum
    4 years ago

    Definitely agree with others here who suggest you shouldn't go to a pawn shop if you want to convert the jewellery into cash. I also agree with those who say you shouldn't feel bad about converting this gift into a more useful form.

    You say it's a one-of-a-kind item, so maybe your first step should be taking it to a jeweller - not a chain where they sell cheap, mass-produced tat, but a high-end place where there will be people who might understand what they're looking at and be able to give you something approaching an honest appraisal. If there aren't places like that near where you live, I assume you'd be able to find the online equivalent.

    You say it's worth 8,000 of whatever your local currency is, but if it really is unique, I have no idea how you came up with this figure. That might be what some smooth-talker persuaded some schmuck to pay for it at some point in its history, but when you come down to it, the true value of any object is only what someone else is willing to pay for it right now. And of course, even if a jeweller believed he would be able to sell the item for 8,000 fairly quickly, they're not going to be willing to pay you that much for it.

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  • howaminotmyself
    4 years ago

    It's like your own personal savings account. Jewelry is something of value, to be used when you deem right. I imagine it is gold, one of the original forms of currency. If it has no sentimental value, it makes it easier to sell. But I'd sell it for something fun, like a trip, and not a toy.

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  • Cuntsiclestick
    4 years ago

    I'd sell it. At the end of the day, having money is more useful than a piece of jewelry I wont use.

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  • Fugazi,again
    4 years ago

    If no one's gonna notice it's gone, I'd sell it, but not to a pawn shop, you'll get like $800 if you're lucky.

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    • leggs91200
      4 years ago

      That is what I thought too. No I am not the OP.
      Pawn shops tend to buy stuff for 10% of retail new and sell it for 90% retail new.

      Like if say a laptop was bought for $500 brand new, they would give $50 but turn around and sell it for $450.

      Of course their story is always, "Someone came in with a dozen of those yesterday and we couldn't help him... ...we could maybe give you $50."

      How or where would the OP even sell it for anywhere near it's worth though? I imagine those "we buy gold" places are just as big of crooks.

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      • Boojum
        4 years ago

        I'm pretty sure what those "we buy gold" places pay is some percentage less than the current spot price of gold, since virtually everything they buy ends up melted down into an ingot.

        The OP seems to suggest that this piece is of some value due to its craftsmanship, so selling it to one of those scrap-gold places would be like offering a pristine condition 1960s sports car with 500 miles on the clock to an an automobile wrecking yard and expecting to get more than the $300 that the scrap metal is worth.

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      • Fugazi,again
        4 years ago

        I dont know, but I know pawn shops are a rip off

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        • leggs91200
          4 years ago

          You are not completely wrong...

          A "rip off" is overpaying by a little.
          What pawn shops do is more "highway robbery".

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  • TerriAngel
    4 years ago

    I think you know what to do.
    If you have a brain you are never on the verge of homelessness.
    Id say do a little research and maybe. MAYBE! Invest it.
    stocks go up and down.
    owning precious metals or jewls
    They retain their value.

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  • LornaMae
    4 years ago

    My fancy and super expensive gold was stolen by the robber I met in my house on a Wednesday morning, 8 a.m. All my white gold was left behind and I can still sell it.

    I wouldn't pawn the jewelry, though. If it really means nothing to you, sell it before you get robbed!

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  • litelander8
    4 years ago

    IIN is like judgement day before heaven. And it looks like you’re in the clear.

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  • Mammal-lover
    4 years ago

    I wouldnt pawn it. Youd get more for it elsewhere

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  • Aethylfritha
    4 years ago

    Not at all. I.pawned stuff but go to a few places because a lot of them will rip you off.

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  • donteatstuffoffthesidewalk
    4 years ago

    the pricea golds doin up

    id wait till it gits higher

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  • --
    4 years ago

    I didn't read your entire post but if it is yours whether it be gift or purchased its yours to do whatever you want.
    I was given a table from a family member that died, I cut the table up and turned it into a work bench for my shed. When other family members found out they went crazy saying "that was our dead family member this and that" and how dare you do this.. I said no, it wasn't theirs, it was mine, and I did what I wanted with my furniture.

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