A GIA-certified loose diamond is straightforward to price. A diamond in a setting takes longer because we evaluate the stone and the setting separately. Either way, the math is on the counter.
Sell diamonds and diamond rings in San Diego.
Loose stones, engagement rings, tennis bracelets, estate pieces — natural or lab-grown. We grade in front of you and walk through every C before we name a number.
Why people sell their diamonds here.
Lab-grown diamonds look identical but trade at a fraction of natural prices. Every stone gets tested with a Sarine or similar lab-detection tool before we offer. No guessing.
If you have a GIA, AGS, or IGI report, we use it as the baseline. No paperwork? We still evaluate carat, color, clarity, and cut on the counter and explain each grade.
Appraisals reflect insurance replacement value at retail. Sell prices reflect wholesale dealer markets — usually a fraction of the appraisal. We show you current comps so you understand the math before deciding.
Before you visit
Three things to know before you walk in.
At home · weight
Honestly, you don't need a fancy scale.A kitchen food scale is accurate to about ±1g, and that's enough to know what you're walking in with. We re-weigh to 0.01gon the counter once you're here — but the home estimate keeps your visit short and your expectations honest.
At home · stamps
We get asked all the time — where's the stamp?Try the clasp on a chain, inside the band of a ring, or the back of a pendant. You're hunting for small marks: 10K, 14K, 18K, 585, or 750. Can't find one? That's normal. Pick “Not sure” on the calculator and we'll test it together when you come in.
On the counter · the math
80% of melt is the honest top. Here's why.Gold passes through many handsbefore it becomes cash — refiners, dealers, market makers — and prices move throughout the day. That's why no honest counter pays 100% of melt on scrap. Anyone promising that is losing money or quietly shorting you somewhere you can't see.
But not every piece is scrap. Some rings get cleaned and re-homed. Some chains stay chains. Price is always negotiable on resaleable pieces— and we'll tell you which side your piece sits on. That's why we built this site: so you walk in informed, not lowballed across five shops.
See the number first
Estimate at home, verify on the counter.
Pre-set to gold for sell diamonds. The in-person number gets sharper with our calibrated scale and acid test, but starting at home keeps the visit short.
Quick home estimate
Enter three things: the metal, the weight from your scale, and the stamp if you can find one.
Estimated offer
$1,249
80% of today's $1,561 melt value · Gold · 14K · 18.4g
Offer spectrum · % of melt
- 70%Walk away$1,093
- 75%Fair offer$1,171
- 80%Sell-it-now$1,249
Below 70% is a weak offer. 75% is a good number. 80% is the sell-it-now mark.
Educational estimate. Final number requires verified weight and professional metal testing in person.
Family-run · Gaslamp Quarter since 1992
A San Diego counter where the math is on the table before the offer.
Buy Sell Gold San Diego routes visits to a family-run shop in the Gaslamp Quarter that has been buying gold jewelry, silver coins, platinum, diamonds, and more since 1992. Cash on the spot, no appointment needed — and if you mention this site, or say Ezra sent you, you'll get our best rate at the counter.
Buying and selling gold in the Gaslamp Quarter since 1992.
Walk-ins, regulars, and word-of-mouth referrals from across San Diego county.
Real volume means real spot-price hedging — and real offers we can stand behind.
Or say Ezra sent you when you walk in. Online visitors get our preferred counter rate.
FAQ
Sell diamonds — common questions
How do I know if my diamond is natural or lab-grown?
We test with a diamond detection tool that distinguishes lab-grown CVD/HPHT stones from natural diamonds. The test takes seconds and you watch it happen. If you have a GIA report, it identifies origin explicitly.
Will you pay for the setting plus the diamond, or just the diamond?
Both. We evaluate the diamond on its own and the setting on its own — gold value of the mounting + the stone. You can sell the whole piece intact or have us remove the stone, whichever you prefer.
What's the difference between appraised value and what I can sell for?
Appraisals are for insurance and reflect replacement value at retail — usually 2-3× what any buyer pays. Sell prices reflect wholesale dealer markets. We're transparent: the appraisal is not what we'll pay, but we explain why.
Next step
Ready to sell diamonds?
Walk into our Gaslamp Quarter counter. Mention buysellgoldsandiego.com or say Ezra sent you for our best rate.
Family-run since 1992Cash on the spotGaslamp QuarterMention site for preferred rate
Disclosure: Online estimates are for informational purposes only and are not a final purchase offer. Offer ranges are educational examples based on industry experience. Final payout depends on verified weight, professional testing, item inspection, market price review, buyer costs, and compliance with applicable laws.