that is the coolest thing i have ever heard! where is the jewelry repair guy in Fair Oaks Mall? i used to go to Root Jewelers in Rosyln to have my watches cleaned and serviced but it is too hard to park over there.
If you like old watches, too, check out the other shops in DC. Famous has many, but I bought these from Sam's...
The key to pawn shopping, is frequent visits. There is a great competition for the good stuff. I make it my business to know the owners, and they put stuff aside for me. I also buy diamonds. I can buy them cheap enought to reset. My wife sports an 8 carat tennis bracelet, made from 1/4 c. stones popped out of engagement rings, nobody wanted any more... I paid about 1/3 for it, after setting them, etc, and then sold the gold for scrap. Her 1 c. earrings cost me about $350 each...
I bought my digital camera, and most of my 35mmm stuff, at them as well. You can find just about anything OF VALUE... It's up to you to decide if it is worth what they ask...
Most of the time, it is... but you always offer less! I like the bazaar type bargaining, that you can't get many places these days...