A man buys a bracelet for $3 in a thrift store and its value multiplies: “You won’t believe what it’s worth”

A thrift shopper with a keen eye for luxury resale managed to snag a David Yurman bracelet for just $2.99 – a staggering bargain for a piece originally priced at $750. Made from 18-karat gold and sterling silver, the bracelet is one of the most remarkable secondhand finds in recent memory.

Finding a hidden gem in a thrift store

The man behind this discovery is Matthew Bettencourt, a 37-year-old reseller known as @RetroToyEnvy on social media, who has spent over 15 years hunting and flipping valuable items from thrift stores.

Bettencourt shared his discovery in a YouTube video titled “You won’t believe what this $2.99 bracelet is actually worth”, in which he explains how he found the luxury piece hanging among other bracelets at a local secondhand store. Upon closer inspection, he noticed the bracelet was stamped with “750,” indicating 18-karat gold, along with a “925” marking, certifying that its main structure was 92.5% sterling silver. After researching the exact model, he confirmed that it originally retailed for $750 on David Yurman’s official website.

A profitable resale

After verifying the bracelet’s authenticity, Bettencourt listed it for sale. He ultimately sold it for $480, as its market value in used condition hovered around $500. He explained that he chose to accept the best offer rather than auction it, as he usually secures higher profits using “Buy It Now” listings on eBay.

This wasn’t Bettencourt’s first major thrift store win. In the past, he has stumbled upon high-value gold pieces, including a solid gold key that he sold for approximately $2,000 in 2010.

Secondhand luxury is booming

Bettencourt’s thrift store jackpot comes at a time when the pre-owned jewelry and accessories market is surging. According to an October 2024 report by Statista, global revenues in this sector are expected to grow by 25% between 2024 and 2029, reaching an estimated $446.3 billion by 2029.

The continued rise of the secondhand market has led more people to explore thrift stores, garage sales, and flea markets in search of undervalued treasures with resale potential.

Tips to find high value

Beyond reselling, Bettencourt is also focused on educating others on how to identify and sell high-value items.

According to him, finding luxury jewelry in secondhand stores requires recognizing designer brands, understanding metal quality stamps, researching secondhand market trends, and frequently visiting thrift stores and flea markets to increase the chances of spotting hidden gems.

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