by Jesús Zabala - 7 min read

How to Measure a Cuff Bracelet to Sell

Do you have a bracelet laying around in your home that you want to get rid of? Then, the first thing you should do is learn how to measure a cuff bracelet to sell.

Whether selling your cuff bracelet to a local jeweler or a pawn shop, you need to ensure you are getting a good deal. You don’t want the buyer to underpay you just because you weren’t informed.

Luckily, after reading our expert guide, you will know the fair market price range for your cuff bracelet.

Measure a Cuff Bracelet to Sell

How to Measure a Cuff Bracelet to Sell

The weight and materials of the cuff bracelets are the main factors determining their price. That’s why before you offer your cuff bracelet to a jeweler, you need a head start by figuring out a fair price for your cuff bracelet.

Here are the steps for determining the price of your used cuff bracelet:

Measuring the bracelet’s weight
Look for stamps to find out if it is a gold, silver, or brass cuff bracelet
Finding out the price range of the metal
Seeking trustworthy buyer

Measuring a cuff bracelet for selling with a scale

The easiest way to measure the weight of your cuff bracelet is by using a weighing scale. You should use digital scales because they are the most accurate.

But to get a precise weight, you'll first need to calibrate your scale. Place the scale on a leveled surface. Ensure you take the measurement in the same units you plan to use when calculating the bracelet’s price. I recommend using grams.

Put an object you know the weight of. If the scale reading is accurate, proceed with the second step, measuring the cuff bracelet.

Lastly, write down the exact reading of the scale on a piece of paper.

Look for stamps on your jewelry

Jewelry pieces have different types of stamps, including quality, maker’s, hallmarks, and location marks. All of these marks will be important when measuring a cuff bracelet for sale.

However, you will need the three-digit stamp sequence like 995, 990, 925, 916, 833, 750, 625, 585, etc. This number is the fineness mark or purity grade, which tells you the precious metal content.

The metal stamps on classic bangles and chain bracelets are usually near the clasp. On the other hand, you can find the stamp on one of the bracelet’s ends.

Price range for metals

The next thing on the step-by-step guide on how to measure a cuff bracelet to sell is checking the current metal price.

The spot price for jewelry metals fluctuates. To determine the current price of precious metals, you should compare the prices listed on various websites or ask local jewelers.

At best, you should set the reselling price of your cuff bracelet side by side if you sell it online and in person.

If you have a silver and a gold bracelet, it is good to know that the prices of these two precious metals tend to move in the same direction. Typically, they move in different amplitudes. But if the price of gold rises, chances are the silver spot price will too.

Gold and silver spot prices have drastically increased in the last century. If you are not in a hurry, I advise you to wait until the timing is right. Aim to resell your cuff bracelet when there is peak pricing.

Appraisals of Cuff Bracelets

Instead of learning how to measure a cuff bracelet to sell online and calculating yourself, you can get someone to do the job for you by getting an appraisal.

With the appraisal, you will find the monetary value of your brass, silver, or gold bracelet. You can get an appraisal by reaching out to a certified professional examiner.

Jewelry worth: retail vs. resale vs. appraisal value

First things first, don’t expect to make a profit when selling pre-owned bracelets. As a rule of thumb, you should expect between 20% and 50% of the cost you initially paid.

For instance, if you resell a gold bracelet that costs $1,000, you can expect to get between $200 and $500. That can be enough to treat yourself and buy a trendy new gold bracelet.

You should also know that there is a difference between the retail price and the appraisal. How they differ is that the retailer sets the retail value. You can get different retail prices from different jewelers.

On the other hand, the appraised price is typically the maximum possible value of the cuff bracelet. So if your bracelet is appraised at $700, it is totally normal to get resale price offers below this amount, for instance, $500.

Factors influencing the resale value of cuff bracelets

Although it is good to know the general price range you can get if you resell your cuff bracelets, you should be aware there are a lot of factors influencing the amount of money you will get.

Materials

The raw materials of the bracelet will greatly impact the resale value. If your cuff bracelet is made only from metals, it will be easy to determine how much money you can get from it. You’ll need to weigh the bracelet and see the spot metal price.

Cuff bracelets made of gold, silver, or other precious metals are more expensive than stainless steel or brass bracelets.

But if the cuff bracelet is adorned with gemstones or has a rare special design, you might get over the average retail price range.

Condition and packaging

The condition of the cuff bracelet is also an important factor in the resale price. The better the condition of the cuff bracelet, the more money you will probably get for it.

Additionally, if you have the papers of the designer jewelry and the original packaging, some jewelers might increase the price.

Brand and manufacturing technique

The purchase price of pre-owned jewelry is also affected by the brand and the craftsmanship. Some brands have excellent second-hand value.

Additionally, fine craftsmanship will influence the resale value of a bracelet. Unique designs and small details can separate your cuff bracelet from other mass-produced jewelry pieces. Hence, you might get a better resale price.

Also, if there is a high demand for the cuff bracelet you own, you might get a good deal. Understandably, if you have your hands on a rare cuff bracelet, chances are you can get a price closer to the retail value.

For instance, the products we sell at JewelryLab are authentically designed and handmade with high-quality materials. Our hard work results in increased durability of the bracelets.

Finding a good jewelry appraiser

Having a jewelry appraiser is definitely a plus when you are selling a cuff bracelet. You will start your selling process informed.

It is significantly important to choose your jewelry appraiser carefully. With so many options available, here is how you can find the best jewelry appraiser.

Look for appraisal credentials, especially if the jeweler is certified by organizations like the National Association of Jewelry Appraisers.
Does the appraiser have jewelry manufacturing knowledge? The appraiser should be familiar with the manufacturing techniques to recognize the true value of your cuff bracelet.
Is the appraiser well-known and respected in his industry? The appraisers should know their legal obligations and respect high ethical standards.

Measuring the Size of a Cuff Bracelet

If you are doing an online appraisal, you might need to fill in some details about the cuff bracelet. One of them might be the cuff bracelet’s size.

You can easily find the cuff bracelet’s size using a soft tape or strap of paper. It is important to measure the cuff opening and the bracelet's circumference.

If you use soft tape, you just need to wrap it inside the bracelet and find its inner diameter.

But if you use tape, place it inside the bracelet and draw two lines where the bracelet starts and ends. Take the paper strap and measure the distance between the two lines with a ruler or a measuring tape.

JewelryLab Cuff Bracelet Sizing

Cuff bracelet size in centimeters

Cuff bracelet size in inches

14 cm

5.5 inches

15 cm

5.9 inches

16.5 cm

6.5 inches

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to get a jewelry piece appraised?

The exact price for jewelry appraisals in America depends on the appraiser. Generally, you can expect to pay up to $100 per bracelet.

What is the standard size of a cuff bracelet?

Typically, the cuff bracelet sizes range between 5.5 to 6.5 inches. Although it doesn’t apply to all cuff bracelets, the opening is typically 1 inch long. Some bracelets even have a larger gap.

Is it better to get an online or in-person jewelry appraisal?

Online jewelry appraisal services are cheaper than in-person appraisals. However, there are a lot of websites that offer appraisals even if they are not certified to do so.

That’s why in-store jewelry appraisals can be more accurate and typically provide authentication and certification.

Conclusion

Ka-ching! Now you know how to measure a cuff bracelet to sell and get a good deal. Ensure you use an accurate scale when measuring the bracelet’s weight and check the latest prices for the precious metals.

Don’t rush your decision to sell your jewelry, especially if you paid a lot for it. Get multiple offers from jewelers, whether in person or online, and see who will give you the best deal.