Of course, these are just the most commonly pawned items – we accept many other valuable items as well. This can include antiques, art, collectables and other antique items. You’ll see that all of our most popular pawned items are branded, but it’s not always necessary to have a ‘name’ attached. Gold, silver or platinum jewellery can be used as loan security whether you know the maker or not, for example.
However, just because you own something on this list, doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll automatically get it accepted for a pawn loan. Read on to find out more about each item to find out what you should look out for when selecting something to use as security. Even if you know you’ll be pawning something else, you can still get a good idea of what makes a successful piece of pawn collateral.
Rolex Watches
Practically everyone has heard of Rolex watches. With so many other luxury watch brands out there, it’s amazing that Rolex has managed to hold onto its crown, but when you look at the craftsmanship, the ingenious design and range of styles available; it becomes clear how Rolex has secured their prestigious position in the world of luxury watchmaking.
Rolex watches are one of the most popular items we see here at H&T, and there are a huge number of models, designs and specifications out there. As one of the most expensive and coveted watch brands, you may wonder why so many people own Rolex watches. The answer rests with their worldwide popularity and the quality of the construction – Rolex watches are loved the world over, they’ve been sold for over a century, and they stand the test of time.
If looked after well, a Rolex watch should work for generations. This means they’re often passed down through family, or resurface after being forgotten about within an old friend or family member’s belongings.
Tag Heuer Watches
TAG Heuer watches are extremely popular and well-known in the world of high-end timepieces. The sportier style of TAG Heuer watches means they’re worn by many well-known sports stars, including Lewis Hamilton, Cristiano Ronaldo, Maria Sharapova and Tom Brady. You’ll also see TAG Heuer sponsoring or timekeeping for certain sports events, such as F1 racing.
We see a lot of TAG Heuer watches as they’re one of the more affordable luxury watch brands. This means that TAG is often the first port of call for those who are just starting to gain an interest in luxury watches. Their sportier style also appeals, as they make excellent ‘everyday’ watches. This certainly doesn’t mean that they lack refinement or quality – quite the opposite – hence their popularity and good resale potential.
Pawning a watch - what to look out for:
- If you have the original box and any paperwork that comes with the watch, please keep all of this together. You’re likely to get a higher offer if you have these.
- Damage to the watch, like scratches and dents, can obviously affect the value.
- Check that a serial number, proper branding and the right materials have been used. Fake watches are more convincing than ever and you may need an expert opinion if you are unsure.
- Any personal engravings like names or dates may affect the value of the watch.
- The make and model of the watch will dictate the price for the most part – very new models and super retro designs will often command the best prices.
Louis Vuitton Bags
Louis Vuitton bags are instantly recognisable for their repeated ‘VL’ logo design and have been used by the famous and the wealthy for decades. With each bag and piece of luggage being expertly crafted by hand, it’s easy to see why they’re so popular all the world over.
As Louis Vuitton bags have been popular for so long, we see examples from many different decades come through our doors. While the design can fall in and out of favour when it comes to seasonal, short-lived trends - as with any of these luxury goods; they never go out of style. Collectors and those with an eye for vintage will still pay top price for older designs, particularly if they are limited edition.
Gucci Bags
Gucci are another luxury brand who have created a loyal following by creating beautiful, expertly crafted designer bags. Their ‘GG’ logo is instantly recognisable the world over and their classic designs never fall out of style. All Gucci bags are handcrafted and are built to stand the test of time, meaning that vintage Gucci bags can often pop up in pristine condition – a dream for collectors!
We see many different Gucci bag designs come through our doors here at H&T, from large shoulder bags to smaller clutches. Other luxury bag brands like Hermès and Chanel can command higher prices and are therefore rarer, but we still see them occasionally in-store.
Pawning designer accessories – what to look out for:
- Genuine designer bags from both Louis Vuitton and Gucci, as well as some other high-end designers, will have a serial number (this may consist of letters and numbers) which is present on a leather tag located inside the bag somewhere.
- The zips, chains, straps etc. will all be made from heavy, good quality metal. The metal hardware should not peel, scratch or dent.
- The logo should be correct and any wording on labels should be spelled correctly, and be crisp and clear.
- For some pieces, an authentication card may be included – keep this with the bag if you have one.
- Genuine designer bags can hold a lot of value, but their condition will affect the price.
Tiffany & Co. Jewellery
Tiffany & Co – also known as Tiffany’s – is one of the most recognisable and coveted names in luxury jewellery. Based in New York and trading for over 180 years, Tiffany’s have earned their spot among the elite of the jewellery world, selling diamond and sterling silver jewellery to those with ‘taste and style’.
We see many Tiffany & Co necklaces, bracelets, rings and earrings here at H&T. Designer jewellery holds value in two ways – firstly in the precious metals and diamonds or gemstones used, and secondly thanks to the name of the designer. For example, a silver bracelet without a designer name would usually just be worth the value of the metal, whereas a silver bracelet from Tiffany’s could be worth much more.
With this in mind, it’s always good to keep the original box and any paperwork or authentication cards: this will increase the value of your piece.
Cartier Jewellery
Cartier is regarded as one of the most prestigious jewellery designers and manufacturers in the world and has a long history of creating jewellery pieces for royalty. Using gold, diamonds and gemstones with exciting collections released each year, certain pieces of Cartier jewellery have been known to increase in value over time, contrary to many other trends.
Although Cartier pieces are on the high-end of pricing compared to other popular jewellery designers, we still see many necklaces, rings and earrings used for pawn loans. Any piece of Cartier jewellery will have been crafted by experts out of the best materials, so it’s made to stand the test of time and be passed down from one generation to the next.
Pawning fine jewellery – what to look out for:
- All precious metals should be hallmarked. These are tiny markings which tell you the year the piece was made, where it was ‘approved’, and the quality of the metal. There may also be a maker’s mark present. If you can’t find any hallmarks, it may be because they have worn down or are hidden – it’s always worth having it checked out by an expert.
- If you have the original box and any paperwork – particularly if the piece is by a well-known designer – these can increase the value of your jewellery considerably.
- Precious metal is not magnetic. If you hold a magnet next to your jewellery and it attracts, then you may have plated metal or fake gold.
- With diamonds, they shouldn’t fog up when you breathe on them (like a window does) as diamonds have high thermal conductivity. If you’re unsure, it’s always a good idea to have diamonds and any other precious gemstones inspected by an expert.
To get the ball rolling on a pawn loan from H&T, or to enquire about the value of a suspected valuable item, simply drop in to any of our 250+ stores, which are spread across the length and breadth of the UK. You can also access our pawn loans online - click here to find out more.
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Pawnbroking Loans are secured on your items, if the loan is not repaid it will be sold to pay the debt.
