Why Lone Star Gold and Silver Buyers Doesn't Purchase Diamonds

At Lone Star Gold and Silver Buyers, located right here in Amarillo, we're your trusted experts when it comes to converting your precious metals into cash for gold and silver. We often get asked by members of our community if we also purchase diamonds. While we specialize in providing top dollar cash paid for your gold, silver, and other valuable metals, the simple answer when it comes to diamonds is generally no.
We believe in transparency and want to explain why diamonds, unlike gold and silver, don't fit into our purchasing model.

The Diamond Market:

A Changing LandscapeThe diamond market has undergone significant transformations in recent years, making it a very different landscape for resale:

1. The Rise of Lab-Grown Diamonds

One of the most impactful changes has been the explosion in the availability and popularity of lab-grown diamonds. These diamonds are chemically, physically, and optically identical to their mined counterparts. The key difference? They are created in controlled environments and come at a fraction of the price of natural diamonds. This technological advancement has fundamentally challenged the perceived rarity and high value of natural diamonds, as an increasingly abundant and affordable alternative is now readily available.

2. The Mystery of Retail Markups

When you purchase a diamond from a retail jeweler, you're paying a significant premium far beyond the intrinsic value of the stone itself. Retail markups on diamonds can be incredibly high, ranging anywhere from 100% to a staggering 300% or more! This inflated retail price covers brand costs, store overhead, extensive marketing campaigns, and substantial profit margins for the seller.

What this means for you, the consumer, is that the moment a diamond leaves the store, its resale value plummets drastically. Unlike gold and silver, which have universally recognized spot prices that allow for a transparent and consistent valuation (which we accurately assess using our advanced XRF X-Ray technology!), diamonds lack a standardized and liquid secondary market. The price you paid in a retail setting is rarely, if ever, recouped in a resale.

Why This Matters for Selling Your Diamond

Due to these huge retail markups and the growing competition from much more affordable lab-grown options, the secondary market for natural diamonds is incredibly challenging. Diamonds are simply not a liquid asset in the same way that gold or silver are. When we evaluate items at Lone Star Gold and Silver Buyers, we look for intrinsic melt value or a strong, consistent resale market, neither of which diamonds currently offer in a way that allows us to provide competitive offers.

​Your Trusted Amarillo Gold and Silver Buyers:

As a family-owned business, we pride ourselves on offering fair and transparent evaluations for your precious metals. We are dedicated to providing the Amarillo community with top dollar cash paid for items like:

• Gold: Broken jewelry, unwanted rings, dental gold, coins, and scrap gold.
• Silver: Sterling silver flatware, jewelry, coins, and industrial silver.

We use our state-of-the-art XRF X-Ray machine to accurately and non-destructively assess the purity of your gold and silver, ensuring you get the best possible price.
While we appreciate your understanding regarding diamonds, we are always here to help you unlock the value in your gold and silver. Come visit us today for a free, no-obligation appraisal!

Ready to sell your gold and silver? Visit our website at lonestargoldandsilverbuyers.com or contact us at lonestargoldandsilverbuyers.com/contact-us for more information.

​Why 90% Silver Halves, Quarters, and Dimes Are Bought and Sold by Face Value
From Lone Star Gold and Silver Buyers – Amarillo’s Local Precious Metals Experts

If you're holding on to old U.S. silver coins and wondering what they’re worth, one term you’ve likely heard is “junk silver.” At Lone Star Gold and Silver Buyers, we buy 90% silver coins daily—and one of the most common questions we answer is why these coins are bought and sold by face value, not by their weight.
Let’s explore what this means and how it can help you get top dollar for your silver coins right here in Amarillo, Texas.

What Is “Junk Silver” and What Coins Are Included?

The term "junk silver" refers to U.S. dimes, quarters, and half dollars minted in 1964 or earlier that contain 90% silver and 10% copper. They’re not “junk” because they’re worthless—far from it. They’re simply not rare or collectible, so they are valued primarily for their silver bullion content.
Common examples of 90% silver “junk silver” coins include:

• Dateless Barber Dimes, Quarters, and Half Dollars (1892–1916)
• Mercury Dimes (1916–1945)
• Roosevelt Dimes (1946–1964)
• Washington Quarters (1932–1964)
• Walking Liberty Half Dollars (1916–1947)
• Franklin Half Dollars (1948–1963)
• 1964 Kennedy Half Dollars (only that year)

Each $1 in face value of these coins contains approximately 0.715 troy ounces of pure silver when averaged across multiple coins. That consistent silver content is why they’re priced and traded by face value rather than by weight.

Why Dealers Use Face Value, Not Weight

At Lone Star Gold and Silver Buyers, we base our offers on the face value of your coins, not the total weight. Here's why:
✅ Uniform Silver Content 
Every $1 face value of 90% silver coins contains approximately ~0.715 troy ounces of silver, with only very minor deviations from wear over the years.  Although if weighed, an offer by weight would definitely be less than an offer on the total face value amount.
✅ Speed and Accuracy
Face value pricing allows us to provide fast, fair offers without having to weigh each coin individually.
✅ Industry Standard
Dealers, refiners, and investors nationwide use face value as the benchmark for pricing junk silver—it’s the most efficient, consistent method.

How We Calculate Value at Lone Star Gold and Silver Buyers

Here’s our simple formula for determining your payout:
Face Value × 0.715 × Our Current Silver Offer Price = Your Payout

Why Amarillo Residents and Surrounding areas in the Texas Panhandle Trust Us for Silver Sales In Amarillo, TX,

It is very common to come across old  coin collections—often inherited or passed down over generations. Many locals are surprised to find that a bag of old “change” can be worth thousands of dollars in silver.

We’re proud to be Amarillo’s local experts when it comes to silver coins, and we’re always happy to explain the process, show you how we calculate your payout, and make sure you leave feeling confident, informed and happy with your payout.

⚠️ Watch Out for Low Offers: If someone tries to buy your 90% silver coins based only on their weight or without mentioning face value or silver content, you may not be getting a fair deal.

We Buy More Than Just 90% Silver Coins
In addition to junk silver, we also buy:

• Gold, Silver, Platinum and Palladium Bullion
• Gold, Silver, Platinum and Palladium Coins
• Gold, Silver, and Platinum Jewelry (broken or whole)
• Gold scrap and dental gold
• Gold, Silver, Platinum and Palladium Coin collections and estate lots

Whether you're cleaning out your safe, settling an estate, or just ready to cash in, we make the process simple, transparent, and profitable.

Visit Lone Star Gold and Silver Buyers in Amarillo
​Ready to turn your old coins into cash? We make it easy.
📍 Stop by or learn more at:
👉 www.LoneStarGoldandSilverBuyers.com
We're open five days a week and always offer free, no-pressure evaluations. Get the most for your silver--locally, honestly, and confidently.