WSTM NBC3 Story by Andrea Bullard, May 2, 2008

SYRACUSE -- The tough financial climate is making it difficult for most people to make ends meet. Some are even looking to sell things they would never dream of… treasured family heirlooms.

Jewelery on James say this has been the trend for the past three months. People coming in with old gold jewelry they might not wear anymore, that might be missing a piece, or that they just need to cash in on. Gold prices are at an all time high with an ounce of gold fetching around $800.

Some people sell because they need the cash for everyday living costs, gas, groceries, medicine for their kids. Others sell because they are looking to cash in on the high price of gold.

The store has seen everything from knotted necklaces to gold teeth. They say every piece has a story and sometimes when the people tell the story they realize they can’t part with the jewelry.

Once the store has sold enough gold, they will send it to a refinery where it will be melted down into a brick. All the gem stones are taken out of the jewelry before they are melted down. Jewelery on James saves those stones for other repairs that come into the shop.

So if you have been holding on to an old pair of earrings from that long lost boyfriend, now is the time to sell.