A jewelry loan is a type of collateral loan that uses your fine jewelry — diamonds, gold, platinum pieces, designer watches, or precious gemstones — as security for a short-term cash advance. You receive funds based on the appraised value of the piece, keep ownership throughout the loan term, and reclaim your jewelry when the loan is repaid. No credit check. No income verification. No financial disclosures.
Borro provides jewelry loans secured by luxury assets, with funds wired in as little as 48 hours from appraisal.
How Jewelry Loans Work
The process is straightforward. You submit your jewelry for appraisal — either by shipping it securely to Borro or through a scheduled evaluation. A certified appraiser assesses the piece based on metal content, gemstone quality, brand, and current market conditions. Borro offers a loan amount based on a percentage of that appraised value, typically ranging from 50% to 80% of the item’s assessed worth depending on the asset.
If you accept the offer, funds are wired directly to your bank account. Your jewelry is stored in a fully insured, secure facility for the duration of the loan. When you repay the loan principal plus interest, your piece is returned to you. If you choose not to repay, Borro liquidates the asset — you are not personally liable beyond the collateral itself.
What Jewelry Qualifies for a Loan
Borro accepts a wide range of fine jewelry and related luxury assets as collateral:
- Diamond jewelry: Engagement rings, loose diamonds, diamond necklaces, bracelets, and earrings. GIA-certified stones command higher loan values.
- Gold jewelry: 14K, 18K, and 24K gold pieces. Value is based on both the gold content and the piece’s craftsmanship or designer provenance.
- Platinum jewelry: Platinum settings and pieces, which often carry higher per-gram value than gold.
- Designer and signed pieces: Cartier, Tiffany, Van Cleef and Arpels, Bulgari, Harry Winston, and other recognized luxury brands command premium appraisals.
- Colored gemstones: Rubies, sapphires, emeralds, and other precious stones, particularly when accompanied by certification.
- Luxury watches: Rolex, Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, and other premier brands are among the most consistently valued assets for collateral lending.
- Estate and vintage jewelry: Antique and estate pieces from recognized periods or makers can carry significant collateral value independent of metal weight.
Jewelry Loan vs. Selling Your Jewelry
The fundamental difference between a jewelry loan and selling is ownership. When you sell a piece, the transaction is permanent — you receive cash and lose the asset. When you take a jewelry loan, you retain ownership throughout the term. If the piece has sentimental value, or if you expect its market value to appreciate, a loan preserves your long-term position while providing immediate liquidity.
Selling also typically requires time — finding a buyer, negotiating terms, waiting for payment. A jewelry loan can be funded in 48 hours. For situations requiring immediate cash — a business opportunity, a tax deadline, an unexpected expense — the speed difference is significant.
Jewelry Loan vs. Pawn Shop
Pawn shops offer collateral loans against jewelry, but the comparison ends there. Pawn shop appraisals are typically 20% to 40% of retail value, interest rates are often 10% to 25% per month, and the storage conditions for your piece are not controlled. Borro appraisals reflect current wholesale market values, interest rates are competitive with secured lending products, and every asset is stored in a fully insured, climate-controlled facility with professional security.
Pawn is a local transaction with a local operator. Borro operates nationally, provides written loan agreements, and has deployed over $450 million in collateral loans to more than 15,000 clients.
What Determines Your Jewelry Loan Amount
Several factors influence the loan-to-value ratio Borro can offer on a jewelry piece:
- Metal type and weight: Gold and platinum content is assessed at current spot prices. Heavier pieces with higher purity command larger baseline values.
- Stone quality and certification: Diamond grading (cut, color, clarity, carat) drives significant variation in value. GIA or AGS certification provides third-party verification that supports higher appraisals.
- Designer or maker attribution: Signed pieces from recognized luxury houses consistently outperform unsigned pieces of equivalent metal and stone content.
- Condition: Jewelry in excellent condition with original packaging, receipts, or certificates of authenticity receives the best appraisals.
- Current market conditions: Precious metal spot prices and secondary market demand for specific brands and styles affect appraisal values.
How to Get a Jewelry Loan with Borro
The process takes three steps:
- Submit for appraisal: Contact Borro to initiate the process. Borro provides fully insured, prepaid shipping materials for secure transport of your piece.
- Receive your offer: A certified appraiser evaluates the piece and Borro presents a loan offer based on the assessed value. There is no obligation to accept.
- Get funded: If you accept, funds are wired to your account within 48 hours. Your jewelry is stored securely for the loan term.
Frequently Asked Questions: Jewelry Loans
Do I need good credit for a jewelry loan?
No. Jewelry loans are asset-based — your credit score, credit history, and financial disclosures are not part of the evaluation. The loan is secured entirely by the value of the piece.
What happens to my jewelry while the loan is active?
Your piece is stored in a fully insured, secure facility. It is not sold, not displayed, and not used in any way. When you repay the loan, it is returned to you in the same condition.
What if I cannot repay the loan?
If you are unable to repay, Borro liquidates the collateral to recover the loan amount. Your personal liability is limited to the collateral itself — there is no recourse against other assets or income.
How long are jewelry loan terms?
Loan terms are flexible and typically range from a few months to longer arrangements. Contact Borro directly to discuss the term structure that fits your situation.
Is my jewelry insured during the loan?
Yes. Every asset held by Borro is fully insured for its appraised value throughout the loan period.
For a complete overview of every luxury asset category accepted as collateral — and how valuations work across watches, jewelry, automobiles, and more — see the complete guide to luxury asset loans at Borro.
