Writing an article can sometimes be akin to writing a sermon. We write to preach and teach, however, sometimes what we write is not well received, as we can go from a preaching position to simply telling people the way it is.

So, here it goes. Those selling off their gold, platinum and silver have simply lost their minds. One would think that the latest increase in traffic into local jewelry stores was to start shopping for a Mother's Day present, however, what we're seeing in the industry are mom's selling off their jewelry to cash in on the high precious metal prices. In fact, there are some smart entrepreneurs out there setting up what can only be called "Gold Buying Expo's" wherein they buy jewelry "on the spot" at the local Holiday Inn.

What's the harm you say? No one is getting near what their jewelry is worth - plain and simple!

Those lining up to "cash in" on the latest gold rush are simply fools. They may be selling off heirlooms, hallmarked jewelry (created by well-known designers) set with high-quality diamonds and gemstones. Why? Because they don't know any better. They're not in the business, don't own a loupe and have no idea how to grade diamonds or precious gemstones.

Yes, one can send their jewelry to GIA first and know what they have before offering it up to some stranger at a local motel room. However, the sad part is that anyone selling off their jewelry - for pennies on the dollar - can't afford (and will not even consider) getting their jewelry appraised before dumping it for melt value.

Selling Tip: If you have to sell your jewelry for cash, bring the piece into your local jeweler and have the jeweler quickly loupe any diamonds or gemstones and ask for a verbal grading. If you go to a "Gold Buying Expo" get a verbal quote on the buy price and then ask the buyer to pop out the stones for you.

Those buying up all of this jewelry know their business. They know what the market will bear, they know hallmarks, they know brands and they know that an unwary seller will most often overlook the diamond and gemstone value to grab the quick buck. Yes, some of the gold will be sold for scrap, however, those buying up jewelry in the current climate are looking out for "finds". They don't have to go the mines (so to speak) to search for a "find" they just have to wait for unwary (desperate) sellers to show up at their door.

A "find" can be a piece set with high quality diamonds or gemstones, which have high value. Some buyers may offer a higher than average price for a piece if they spy a high quality gem sitting amongst the scrap gold.

Sellers may giving away a piece, which not only has intrinsic value but, has value to a secondary market. The secondary market could be a buyer who collects specific designer pieces or, someone who turns around and resells the piece (not for scrap) but on eBay. What's the harm you say? What's wrong with someone turning a tidy profit off of someone else's hard luck? It's simply wrong.

A simple gold band, which represents a thirty-year marriage, is worth what? You see, it's not that simple, it's thirty-years of value, which can't be weighed out on a scale. Those buyers bagging up hundreds of wedding bands a month (and sending them off to be melted) are basically modern-day robber barons.

Selling off jewelry of any kind to anyone at a pawn shop or "Buying Expo" is akin to leaving your house unlocked and tacking a sign on your door letting them know where the jewelry box is located.