Precious Metal Buyer - Retail

The 1916 Company; Pikesville (MD); On-site; USD 25,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

The 1916 Company in Pikesville, MD seeks a skilled Precious Metal Buyer to handle daily buys of precious metals, jewelry, watches, and coins from retail customers. You will authenticate items, evaluate value, and help build profitable pre-owned inventory while delivering luxury client experiences.

This role supports the Estate Buying Team and reports to the Manager & Assistant Store Manager, requiring a strong eye for detail and integrity in negotiations with clients and dealers.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of retail jewelry sales, evaluation, or pawn/estate buying experience.
• Maryland certification as Precious Metal Buyer or ability to obtain it.

Responsibilities

• Meet with clients in-store to evaluate pieces they wish to sell or trade.
• Examine gemstones, hallmarks, and precious metals to calculate offers.
• Authenticate branded luxury jewelry/timepieces and complete intake logs.
• Cultivate relationships to drive repeat business and great client experiences.
• Assist teammates with trades and originations.
• Receive appointments and origination leads daily.
• Participate in training and team events as part of the sales team.
• Support the Estate Buying Team and learn sourcing of estate pieces.

Skills

Exceptional interpersonal skills

Detail oriented

High-integrity negotiation

Team mentality & coordination

Education

Maryland Precious Metal Buyer Certification

GIA Diamond Graduate or Graduate Gemologist

Tools

CRM systems

Job description

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Precious Metal Buyer - Retail

Direct Reports to: Manager & Assistant Store Manager

Indirect Reports to: Estate Buying Team

Location: Pikesville, MD

FLSA Status: Full time, Hourly, Non-Exempt

ABOUT THE COMPANY

About Us: The 1916 Company is a premier luxury watch, fine jewelry, and diamond company with boutiques in Philadelphia, Baltimore, Delaware, Denver, Scottsdale, Newport Beach and Manhattan Beach, California, and Collector's Lounges in major US cities and around the world. At The 1916 Company we are committed to delivering exceptional client experiences and supporting our teams with excellence and precision.

POSITION OVERVIEW

We are seeking a highly proficient and proactive Precious Metal Buyer to handle our daily precious metal, jewelry, watch, and coin buys.

The Precious Metal Buyer - Acesses, tests, authenticates, and purchases pre‑owned, vintage, or estate metals, watches, and jewelry directly from retail customers. This role supports the estate buyers in the retail store and is responsible for purchasing and reporting all precious metal and estate buys on the sales floor. This role delivers a best‑in‑class, luxury client experience while accurately evaluating piece value and composition to build profitable pre‑owned inventory for the business.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Meet with clients in-store to evaluate pieces they wish to sell or trade
• Examine gemstones, hallmarks, and precious metals using magnification, gemological tools, and market pricing guides to calculate fair cash or trade offers
• Understands how to authenticate branded luxury jewelry/timepieces and complete documentation and municipal intake logs (LEADS) for purchased items daily
• Cultivate lasting relationships with clients to drive repeat business and provide excellent client experiences
• Assist teammates with their own trades and originations
• Receive and handle incoming appointments and jewelry/watch origination leads daily
• Participate in training, team development, and events as a member of the retail sales team.
• Supports the Estate Buying Team
  • Desire to learn how to source estate gemstones and vintage jewelry and converse with dealers in the trade.

QUALIFICATIONS

REQUIRED

2+ years of retail jewelry sales, evaluation, or pawn/estate buying experience

Precious Metal Buyer Maryland Certification or ability to attain this certification in the State of Maryland

PREFERRED

GIA Diamond Graduate or Graduate Gemologist certification is a desired, but not required

CORE COMPETENCIES

Brand & Product Mastery

• Deep foundational knowledge of vintage/designer jewelry and watch brands
• Knowledge of precious metals, pricing, and market trends,
• Understands Troy ounce measurements
• Metal testing, weighing, and stamp verification

Operational Excellence

• Daily buys & origination reporting
• Multi-location coordination
• CRM & systems management

Client Experience Excellence

• Exceptional interpersonal communication skills
• Extremely detail-oriented
• High-integrity negotiation skills
• Team mentality and coordination

EEO Statement:

The 1916 Company provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

This position description conveys information essential to understanding the scope of this role and is not exhaustive. Responsibilities, duties, and qualifications may be added, modified, or removed at any time at the discretion of management. 1916 Company is an equal opportunity employer.