Man Finds $2.99 Bracelet in Thrift Store—Then Realizes Its Actual Worth

One lucky thrifter managed to bag a $750 bracelet made of 18 karat gold and pure silver from the luxury jewelry brand David Yurman for less than $3. The incredible find was made by Matthew Bettencourt (known as @RetroToyEnvy on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram and Facebook), a 37-year-old reseller based in Rhode Island, at a local thrift store. "I've been doing this for around 15 years specializing in jewelry around 2010 and then broadening my market in toys collectibles and pretty much anything else I can make money on," he told Newsweek.Bettencourt showcased the bracelet in a YouTube video posted on Tuesday, which was titled: "You won't believe what this $2.99 bracelet is really worth." He later identified the exact model of the bracelet and found that "when it was originally released, it retailed for $750 on the David Yurman website," he said. The recent thrift find comes as the global revenue in the jewelry segment of the accessories market was projected to rise continuously between 2024 and 2029 by a total of $88.1 billion, marking around a 25 percent increase, according to an October 2024 report by Statista, the global data firm. Following the seventh consecutive increasing year, the revenue is expected to reach around $446.3 billion, hitting a new peak in 2029, the report said.

The YouTube clip shows the bracelet hanging on a wall along with others at the thrift store, before Bettencourt picks it up in his hand for a closer look. A closer view of the bangle reveals the number 750 engraved on it, indicating it is made with 18 karat gold. The bangle also has a 925 number marking, indicating it's sterling silver, or made with 92.5 percent of pure silver. Bettencourt sold the David Yurman bracelet for $480 "because it was a pre-owned piece, and the market value for it was around $500," he explained, noting that he "accepted a best offer rather than running an auction," as he typically earns higher prices through "Buy It Now" listings on eBay. The David Yurman bracelet was not the first time that the poster struck gold on his thrifting endeavors. "The most valuable piece of jewelry I have purchased at a thrift store was likely solid gold jewelry. Depending on the weight they can sell for thousands especially because [the value of] gold is at an all-time high." Bettencourt recently found another gold bracelet, he said, explaining that "gold value alone is around $700 to $800," while "another notable find was a solid gold key that I sold for approximately $2,000 back in 2010." The YouTuber noted that although he is a reseller, his primary focus is on educating others about reselling, helping people identify valuable items, and teaching them about how to earn money through thrifting and second-hand markets. When it comes to finding designer and luxury jewelry at thrift stores, Bettencourt says extensive research is important. "The more you educate yourself on brands, materials, and hallmarks, the better you'll be at spotting valuable pieces...studying market trends can be incredibly helpful." He added: "Consistency is also key—visiting thrift stores, estate sales, and flea markets frequently increases the chances of finding high-value items."Do you have a thrifting-related video or story to share? Let us know via life@newsweek.com and your story could be featured on Newsweek.