Jewelry & Diamond Guides
Diamond education, custom design, appraisals, estate jewelry, and practical buying and selling guidance.
Diamond Clarity ChartUnderstand the diamond clarity scale from FL through I, what eye-clean means, how inclusions affect appearance, and how to read a grading report.Diamond Color ChartLearn the D-to-Z diamond color scale, what color grades look like, and how cut, shape, setting metal, and fluorescence can affect visible color.Lab-Grown vs. Natural DiamondsCompare lab-grown and natural diamonds by formation, appearance, identification, grading reports, rarity, environmental claims, and resale dynamics.Diamond Carat Size ChartCompare diamond carat weight with face-up millimeter size across popular shapes and learn why two diamonds of equal weight can look different.How to Sell JewelryCompare jewelry dealers, pawn shops, auctions, consignment, and online buyers. Learn how jewelry is evaluated, what to bring, and which mistakes to avoid.Jewelry Appraisal Cost & ProcessTypical jewelry appraisal costs, written insurance appraisal steps, credentials to seek, and how appraisals differ from free purchase evaluations.Heirloom Jewelry RedesignLearn how heirloom jewelry redesign works, what stones or metal may be reusable, how CAD planning helps, and what to bring to a consultation.Custom Engagement Ring CostUnderstand custom engagement ring costs, including the center stone, metal, CAD, setting style, labor, documentation, and heirloom redesign tradeoffs.How to Sell Inherited JewelrySort inherited jewelry, gather documentation, understand appraisal and tax considerations, compare selling channels, and handle a mixed estate carefully.Estate Jewelry Buying GuideLearn the difference between estate, vintage, and antique jewelry and what to check for condition, hallmarks, stone reports, sizing, and returns.
Rolex & Watch Guides
Authentication, reference numbers, pre-owned buying checks, condition, and buyer protection.
How to Tell If a Rolex Is RealCheck Rolex weight, movement behavior, cyclops magnification, engravings, crystal etching, and other red flags—then learn where DIY checks stop.Rolex Authentication GuideLearn what Rolex authentication means, what an expert inspection checks, and how Lone Star Coins verifies watches it buys and sells.Rolex Reference Number GuideFind Rolex reference numbers by era, learn how they differ from serials, what configuration codes indicate, and why numbers cannot prove authenticity.How to Buy a Pre-Owned Rolex SafelyChecklist for buying a pre-owned Rolex: seller reputation, reference, condition, service parts, movement inspection, returns, and warranty.
Coin & Bullion Guides
Identification, grading, key dates, precious-metal content, live-value factors, and selling guidance.
American Silver Eagle Value GuideWhat an American Silver Eagle is worth — its one ounce of .999 silver, bullion vs. burnished vs. proof finishes, key dates like the 1995-W, and value drivers.American Gold Eagle & Gold Buffalo Value GuideWhat an American Gold Eagle is worth and why — the 22-karat question, how a 1 oz Eagle holds a full ounce of pure gold, the 24-karat Gold Buffalo, fractional sizes, and what drives value above melt.Junk Silver Coins: What 90% Silver Is WorthWhat junk silver is, which pre-1965 U.S. coins qualify, how much silver each holds, and the face-value formula for calculating what 90% silver is worth at today’s silver price.Canadian Maple Leaf Value: Gold & SilverWhat a Canadian Maple Leaf is worth — .9999 gold and silver purity, how it compares to the American Eagle and Krugerrand, the milk-spot tradeoff, Royal Canadian Mint security features, and how value tracks the live gold and silver price.$5 & $10 Gold Coin Value GuideWhat pre-1933 $5 Half Eagle and $10 Eagle gold coins are worth — gold content and melt math, Liberty Head vs. Indian Head types, the incuse design, mint marks, and what drives value above gold.Silver Dollar Values by YearHow to identify which U.S. silver dollar you have by year and design, which series actually contain silver, and what drives value above the silver melt floor.Mexican Gold Coin Value GuideWhat a centenario gold coin and the Mexican peso series are worth — the 50 Peso’s 1.2057 troy oz of gold, the dos pesos and 20 Peso, restrikes vs. originals, and how to figure melt.British Gold Sovereign Value GuideWhat a british sovereign gold coin is worth and why — the 22-karat crown gold question, the 0.2354 troy ounce of pure gold in a full sovereign, the half sovereign, and what drives value above melt.Eisenhower Dollar Value Guide (1971-1978)Eisenhower dollar value explained: why circulating 1971, 1972, and 1974 Ikes are clad with no silver, which S-mint coins are 40% silver, and how to tell them apart.1964 Quarter Value Guide1964 quarter value explained: why every 1964 quarter is 90% silver, how much silver it holds, how to tell silver from clad, and which dates beat melt.Buffalo Nickel Value GuideBuffalo nickel value depends on date, mint mark, grade, and variety. Find out who’s on the coin, why so many lack dates, and which key dates are worth the most.Coin Grading Scale ExplainedThe complete guide to the coin grading scale: how the Sheldon 1–70 system works, what MS-65 means, proof vs. uncirculated, and how PCGS and NGC certification works.Republic of Texas CurrencyRepublic of Texas currency explained — Star Money, Redbacks, treasury notes, and why the Republic never minted coins. Find out what these historic notes are worth today.1943 Steel Penny Value Guide1943 steel penny value explained: why it’s not silver, the magnet test, key mint marks, the rare copper cent, and what condition does to worth.Wheat Penny Value GuideWheat penny value guide covering key dates, the 1909-S VDB, 1955 doubled die, and how to spot rare pennies worth money in any jar or collection.Kennedy Half Dollar Value GuideFind current Kennedy half dollar value by year, learn the three silver eras, and see how to test 1964 and 1965-1970 halves for silver content.Bicentennial Quarter Value GuideReal bicentennial quarter value guide: which 1776-1976 quarters are worth face value, which are 40% silver, and what errors actually sell for a premium.How Much Is 14K Gold Worth?Learn how much is 14k gold worth per gram, the melt-value formula, hallmarks to check, and what a fair buyer pays before you sell your jewelry.How Much Is a Gold Bar Worth?Learn how much a gold bar is worth, from 1 gram to the 400 oz gold brick, and how weight, spot price, and premiums determine gold bar price.Mercury Dime Value GuideMercury dime value explained: 90% silver melt floor, key dates like the 1916-D, overdates, and what Full Bands means for mint-state coins.Walking Liberty Half Dollar Value GuideWalking Liberty half dollar value explained: silver content, melt floor, key dates like 1916 and 1921-D, and how grade drives premiums above spot.Indian Head Penny Value GuideIndian head penny value by date, key dates like 1877 and 1909-S, grading tips, and what determines worth. A practical guide from Lone Star Coins.Susan B. Anthony & Sacagawea Dollar Value GuideSusan B Anthony dollar value explained: which dates are worth money, whether Sacagawea dollars contain gold, and the varieties that beat face value.Sterling Silver Value GuideUnderstand sterling silver value: hallmarks vs. silverplate, the melt math, weighted pieces, and what buyers actually pay for flatware and tea sets.How to Sell SilverLearn how to sell silver coins, bars, and sterling for a fair price, compare buyer options, and avoid the mistakes that cost sellers money.How to Sell a Coin CollectionLearn how to sell a coin collection step by step, from sorting inherited coins to choosing a dealer, auction, or online sale for the best net return.How to Choose a Coin Dealer in San AntonioLearn how to find the best coin shop in San Antonio with 7 objective checks covering longevity, reviews, credentials, transparency, and access.Troy Ounce vs. OunceA troy ounce is about 10% heavier than a standard ounce. Learn the exact conversions, why precious metals use troy weight, and how to value your gold and silver correctly.What Is a Proof Coin?Proof is how a coin is made, not its grade. Learn how proof coins are struck, what PF/PR, cameo, and reverse proof mean, and whether proof coins are worth more.PCGS vs. NGCPCGS and NGC compared by a dealer authorized with both: reputation, costs, turnaround, series preferences, and when getting a coin graded actually makes financial sense.1982 Penny Value Guide1982 penny value explained: how to weigh copper vs. zinc cents, spot small date vs. large date, and identify the ultra-rare 1982-D small date copper cent.1943 Copper Penny: Census, Authentication & Auction History1943 copper penny value explained: the known census of genuine bronze cents, the $1.7 million 1943-D auction record, and how to authenticate one versus common fakes.Silver Certificate Dollar Bill Value GuideSilver certificate dollar bill value explained: what the blue seal means, why redemption ended, how 1935 and 1957 series work, and what actually drives worth.Star Note Value GuideStar note value explained: what a star note actually is, how to spot one, why print run size drives rarity, and which star notes are worth a second look.How to Test GoldLearn how to test gold at home using hallmarks, the magnet test, weight and density, and acid kits — plus why toothpaste and vinegar tests don’t work.How to Test SilverLearn how to test silver at home using marks, the magnet slide test, the ice test, and the ping test — plus the fakes we see most often at the counter.Dental Gold Value GuideDental gold value explained honestly: what the alloy actually contains, why online calculators mislead, and how a legitimate buyer tests and pays for crowns.Is Silverware Worth Anything?Is silverware worth anything? Learn to read sterling vs. plated marks, the weighted-piece trap, the melt formula, and what flatware sets really sell for.$20 Gold Coin Value GuideHow much a $20 gold coin is worth — the two types (Saint-Gaudens and Liberty Head), how much gold each contains, key dates, grade, and what drives the price above gold melt value.Morgan Silver Dollar Value GuideHow much a Morgan silver dollar is worth — silver content, key dates and mintmarks (including the 1921 Morgan and Carson City CC dollars), grade, and how value is determined.Peace Silver Dollar Value GuideHow much a Peace silver dollar is worth — silver content, key dates (including the 1921 high relief and 1928), why the 1922 is so common, mintmarks, and grade.Krugerrand Value GuideHow much a Krugerrand is worth — how much gold it contains, why it is 22 karat, the fractional sizes, the silver Krugerrand, and how value tracks the live gold price.
Have coins, bullion, jewelry, diamonds, or a luxury watch you may want to sell? Bring them to our San Antonio showroom at 2622 Northwest Loop 410 for a free, no-obligation purchase evaluation. We inspect the items and explain the offer before you decide.