Ever wonder what it’s like to be a pawnbroker? You know, those folks behind the counter when you walk into a pawn shop, surrounded by a treasure trove of watches, gold chains, and jewelry? Spoiler alert: it’s not as glamorous as you might think, but it’s definitely never boring!
Let me break down what we do as pawnbrokers and take you through a typical day, specifically when it comes to buying gold and jewelry.
So, What Does a Pawnbroker Do?
Think of a pawnbroker as part treasure hunter, part banker, and part negotiator. Our job is to evaluate items people bring in—whether it’s gold, jewelry, or the occasional antique accordion (yes, that happens)—and decide how much we can lend or pay for them.
Here’s the deal: You bring in an item, we assess it, and if you need quick cash, we can loan you money against it. If you pay back the loan within the agreed time, you get your item back. If not, we sell it to recoup the loan. Simple, right?
But it’s not just about loans. We also buy items outright, especially gold and jewelry, which is where most of the action happens. Now, let’s dive into what a typical day looks like when you’re a pawnbroker dealing with bling.
8:00 AM – Coffee, Gold, and Dreams of Treasure
Every day starts the same: a strong cup of coffee (or two) and a mental pep talk about what sort of treasures—or not-so-treasures—are going to walk through the door. You’d be amazed at what people consider “valuable.”
Gold and jewelry are the bread and butter of the pawn world. People bring in everything from old engagement rings to gold chains from the ’80s. Some of it’s real, some of it’s, well, not. But it’s our job to figure that out.
9:00 AM – The Gold Rush Begins
The doors open, and it doesn’t take long before people start coming in. There’s always a rush of folks ready to sell or pawn their gold and jewelry. Some need cash for unexpected bills, others are just clearing out their old jewelry boxes.
First customer of the day? “Mr. I Swear It’s Real Gold” . He’s convinced his necklace is 24k gold, even though it’s turning green around the edges. Spoiler: that’s definitely not gold. But hey, I’ll test it anyway, just to be sure. We pull out the gold tester, and surprise, surprise—it’s gold-plated at best. We have a friendly chat, and I let him down easy.
11:00 AM – The Big Players: Gold and Diamonds
Gold, silver, diamonds—this is where things get serious. Every piece of jewelry that comes in gets tested, weighed, and appraised. You’ve got to know your stuff. People can get really attached to their gold and diamonds, but sentiment doesn’t pay the bills.
When buying gold, I check the karat (how pure the gold is), weigh it, and calculate the market value. People often think their gold is worth more than it is, especially those big flashy chains. But here’s the thing: it’s all about purity and weight, not how good it looks in a music video.
Diamonds are another story. Not only do I have to test if they’re real, but I’ve also got to check the cut, clarity, and carat. The 4 Cs of diamonds—these bad boys can make or break a deal. And yes, I’ve seen my fair share of cubic zirconia trying to pass as diamonds.
1:00 PM – Negotiation Time (AKA Lunch)
After a morning of gold and diamonds, it’s time for lunch. But of course, lunch is never quiet. Someone always wants to negotiate a better price on their gold chain while I’m trying to enjoy a sandwich. Pawnbroking is all about the art of negotiation. Everyone thinks their items are worth more, but at the end of the day, it’s all about the current market value.
2:00 PM – The Surprise Finds
Afternoons are always interesting. This is when you get the unexpected items. People often bring in old family jewelry that’s been sitting in a drawer for years. Sometimes it’s junk, but every once in a while, you hit the jackpot—like a genuine antique piece or a high-quality gold ring.
I once had a guy bring in a ring he thought was just some costume jewelry from his grandma. Turns out it was a vintage 1920s art deco piece with real diamonds. Needless to say, both of us were surprised, and he walked out with a nice chunk of change.
4:00 PM – Gold Buyers Galore
As the day winds down, we often get the last-minute sellers—people who’ve finally decided to part with that gold bracelet or grandma’s old wedding ring. Gold prices fluctuate, so we stay on top of the market, making sure we’re offering fair prices.
By now, I’ve tested and weighed enough gold to fill a pirate’s treasure chest (well, almost), and I’m still explaining why 10k gold isn’t worth the same as 24k. Fun fact: the higher the karat, the more gold it contains, which is why those 24k gold pieces are worth so much more.
5:30 PM – Wrapping It Up As
we close up shop, I take a final look at the day’s haul. Gold chains, engagement rings, diamond earrings—you never know what’s going to come through the door next. And while I didn’t strike it rich today, there’s always tomorrow. The life of a pawnbroker is a mix of surprises, negotiations, and the occasional hidden treasure. And that’s the life of a pawnbroker—always on the lookout for the next piece of gold or jewelry that could be worth its weight in, well, gold.
The big holiday is over and Summer is in full swing. Time for cookouts, relaxation, and lots of outdoor excitement – whether hiking, biking, swimming, or relaxing on the beach, Summer is our most active (and enjoyable) season. The only down-side I can see is that a lot of these fun activities can prove hazardous to your jewelry. Discolored metal, cracked, scratched or missing stones, or gasp, a lost diamond, can certainly put a damper on an otherwise great Summer.
3. OK I know I said you can wear your jewelry, but we need to qualify that statement… sorry. If you are going to swim in a pool frequently, it is really best not to wear your jewelry. If it’s just a few times you will probably be safe (but I can’t promise) but chlorine (or any bleach) is very damaging to fine metals, not to mention many precious stones as well.
4. This last one is pretty easy – you need to wear sunscreen but your jewelry doesn’t! When applying, remove all jewelry and wait until the sunscreen is absorbed before putting it back on.
Sapphires are associated with wisdom, royalty, and Divine favor: they are said to protect the wearer from the ill-wishes of others which we can certainly imagine could come in pretty handy if you were living in turbulent times! Or, stuck in a messy legal entanglement? Sapphires are supposed to aid in their positive and quick resolution. Perhaps Sapphire’s deep, peaceful, blue has something to do with the serenity it is avowed to offer: soothing insomnia, lending order and healing to the mind, and transmuting negativity, name a few benefits. Additionally Sapphire is said to enhance self-discipline and the ability to stay on one’s spiritual path.
With its deep red hues, it’s easy to guess wherein Ruby’s power lies: Passion. In fact, it is considered aphrodisiac and is said to stimulate circulation. Paradoxically however, Ruby is also thought to promote a clear mind – curious as we often see passion as detrimental to clear-headedness! Lastly, just as we desire to keep the object of our passion from harm, Ruby is a protector, especially at night, banishing sadness and foolish thoughts.
That brings us at last to Emerald: “The stone of successful love.” Emeralds stimulate the heart chakra making them great allies against ailments of the heart, lungs, and spine. They also promote harmony and balance, and purportedly have cleansing and detoxifying benefits as well. Hey, who knew you could wear that green detox smoothie?
Of course we have to start with the super star of stones: diamond. Naturally the most obvious and expected associations include love, faithfulness, and purity; and perhaps both fitting and ironic, diamonds are associated with Mars and Venus, seeming opposites, yet seen as parts of the same whole. However, diamonds are also believed to inspire creativity, and increase endurance and abundance. It is further thought to cleanse obstacles to achieving richness within the Self, augmenting self-love and respect. Wear your diamond when you meditate to enhance mental detachment. But what just might be the best of all is that diamonds could increase physical, mental and spiritual energy resulting in the slowing of the aging process.