“I would hold on to that for dear life.”
After a thrift shopper snagged a gold chain for next to nothing, a closer look revealed its true value.
The Redditor posted close-up photos of an opulent gold pyramid pendant adorned with turquoise stones on the r/ThriftStoreHauls subreddit.
The thrift store valued the piece at just $20, but a discreet detail on the top suggests it could be worth much more.
“You missed the tiny 750 stamp on the top ring,” the Redditor explained in a caption.
The 750 mark shows that the gold is 18 karat, meaning it has a purity of 75%. Weighing 22.21 grams, the 18-karat pendant could be worth up to $1,199.38.
It’s not the first time a Redditor has come up trumps when it comes to finding bargains. A saver came across a solid gold pizza slice made by contemporary artist Arnold that may have been worth $538.
Other Redditors have discovered valuable gold jewelry stashed in second-hand bags, gold rings hidden among costume jewelry, and a rare “Liberty Head” gold coin.
High-quality gold items like these can fetch a handsome price for the enterprising collector. But even if you choose not to pawn your gold pieces, buying secondhand still brings rich environmental rewards.
Gold mining has been linked to land degradation, water pollution and deforestation, with forest cover in Ghana declining by 36% between 1986 and 2020 due to devastating mining practices. The chemical mercury is used to extract gold from the ground, which can then leach into the surrounding soil and water. In places like Zimbabwe, mercury pollution is widespread, contaminating livestock and drinking water outside mines.
Illegal gold mining has also increased in Latin America, where an ongoing gold rush among criminal groups has been dubbed the “new cocaine,” Earth.org noted. Illegal gold miners often invade protected areas and indigenous lands and repeatedly commit human rights violations.
By saving gold, consumers can ensure that their money is not being used to fund environmental or ethical exploitation – while also helping to keep jewelry shopping relatively affordable.
“What an interesting piece!” wrote one Redditor. “Looks like it holds secrets.”
“Super unique,” another agreed. “I would hold on to it for the rest of my life.”
“I love finding gold or platinum with non-American markings at thrift stores,” said another. “Often no one bothers to look up what the mysterious number means, and they sell them at costume jewelry prices.”
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