China Sets At Pawn Shops: Buying & Selling Guide

Pawn Shops That Buy & Sell Fine China

Most pawn shops buy and sell fine china from high-end brands that are valuable. Pawn shops also carry antique and rare china. Some rare china can sell for thousands of dollars. Some antique rare sets in pristine condition can sell for several hundred thousand dollars.

How Can I Tell If China Is Valuable?

Generally speaking, China is valuable if it is antique (more than 100 years old), bone china, or made by an expensive brand.

You can look at the marking on the base of the china. Each manufacturer has a different marking - some markings are printed with ink, others are stamped, and some are handwritten. If you see a year, then it could be antique and valuable if it is over 100 years old. If you see a brand name, the china set is probably modern. You can search for brand names online - pieces that retail for $800 or more can be valuable at pawn shops.

Bone China

Some types of china are known as bone china and can be quite valuable. Bone china has been produced in the United Kingdom for about 200 years. During the middle part of the 20th-century manufacturers in other countries began production. Today, Japanese brands Noritake, Nikko, and Narumi produce bone china. Lenox was the only major manufacturer of bone china in the United States up until March 2020.

Today, some cheaper bone china brands are manufactured in Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Iran, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. These brands are not as valuable as brands manufactured in the United Kingdom, Japan, and United States.

You can find out if your china is bone china by holding the plate up to a light. Your china could be bone china if the plate appears somewhat translucent or see-through. Also, bone china typically has a tone that appears ivory rather than pure white.

China Condition & Completeness Matter

China sets are valuable when they are original and complete. Missing china pieces can lower the value of the set. Sometimes you can increase the value of your china set by buying replacement pieces to complete missing or broken pieces. Several china replacement companies specialize in carrying discontinued and older china pieces.

Pawn shops inspect all china pieces for defects such as chips, scratches, and cracks. Defects lower the value of the set

Which China Brands Do Pawn Shops Take?

Pawn shops usually accept china brands that are well-known and expensive. Some examples include:

• Copeland and Garrett
• Blue Willow (pattern)
• Meissen
• Rose Medallion
• Noritake
• Lenox
• Wedgwood
• Waterford
• Royal Doulton
• Spode
• Royal Albert
• Villeroy & Boch
• Royal Worcester
• Herend Porcelain Manufactory
• Royal Copenhagen
• Mikasa
• Johnson Brothers
• Rosenthal
• Nikko
• Narumi

Pawn shops also accept antique china pieces that are rare and valuable.

Tips For Selling China To Pawn Shops

You can increase the amount of money you receive from your china by following these tips:

• Verify your china is authentic. Several fakes and copycats exist for antiques.
• Carefully clean the pieces. Remove any dirt, dust, and fingerprints.
• Replace missing and damaged pieces with originals so you have a complete set.
• Research the piece online and know the retail value ahead of time. Sometimes local antique dealers can be helpful.
• Include purchase records and certificates of authenticity.
• Include original boxes, cabinets, and stands.
• Keep your china safe when it is in transit. Use good packaging and cushions to protect your china when you are taking it to the pawn shop. Also, avoid using newspapers for packing so the ink does not rub onto the china. Paper towels and clothes are best for packing china.

Examples Of Valuable China