Argentines pawn family jewels to make ends meet

Argentines pawn family jewels to make ends meet

An appraiser examines a gold ring at a jewelry exchange in Buenos Aires
An appraiser examines a gold ring at a jewelry exchange in Buenos Aires. Photo: JUAN MABROMATA / AFP
Source: AFP

In Argentina's strangled economy, one sector is thriving: the pawn shops buying up gold and other family treasures that many are forced to sell to pay their bills.

"When you are drowning in debt, sentimentality falls to the side," said Mariana, 63, who went to a hub of gold dealerships in Buenos Aires to sell a watch her grandfather gave her father as a graduation present.

Inflation of around 270 percent year-on-year has gnawed away at her pension as a court employee, and she will use the cash for housing expenses and overdue health insurance payments.

With an austerity-hit economy in recession, as President Javier Milei carries out his vow to slash decades of government overspending, Mariana -- who asked not to give her last name -- is far from alone.

Read also

Illegal gold mining eats into Peruvian Amazon

While a neighboring shoe store hasn't had a single customer in hours, hundreds line up daily at El Tasador, one of the main cash-for-jewelry stores in the heart of Buenos Aires, where "We buy gold" signs abound.

"There have been a lot of people lately, I think because of what is happening in the country," said Natalia, one of the four appraisers at the store, who did not give her surname for what she called security reasons.

She said the surge in clients came from "people who perhaps had pieces that they did not plan to sell and decided to do so because they cannot make ends meet."

Pedestrians walk past gold dealerships in Buenos Aires
Pedestrians walk past gold dealerships in Buenos Aires. Photo: JUAN MABROMATA / AFP
Source: AFP

Natalia said the business had been swamped with over 300 daily transactions -- triple the amount seen a year ago.

"We have increased staffing and working hours because we cannot cope."

Read also

Shareholders OK with soaring executive pay in US

Victorian jewels and cufflinks

Daniel, a 56-year-old unemployed accountant, enters several stores to have a silver keychain appraised but leaves dejected. He was barely offered the price of a subway ticket.

"The situation is difficult. Life in Argentina is very expensive," he told AFP.

Carlos, who manages a small jewelry store, said he has a constant flow of customers but no one is there to buy.

"They bring in anything to be appraised, especially at the end of the month, when the bills arrive."

An appraiser weighs gold jewelry in Buenos Aires
An appraiser weighs gold jewelry in Buenos Aires. Photo: JUAN MABROMATA / AFP
Source: AFP

The gemologist Natalia said her store was frequented by all social classes.

While half of Argentina's population now lives in poverty, it was once one of the world's richest countries between the 19th and early 20th centuries, and many people have something valuable to pawn.

"The classic thing is the wedding ring, but they also bring Victorian jewels, from the 'belle époque' that come from grandparents and great-grandparents, unique pieces," said Natalia.

Read also

Senegalese eye elegance for Eid at half the price

Even a few decades ago it was common for men to have gold cufflinks, or for women to be gifted a gold watch when they turned 15, she added.

"Gold has always been sold. What has changed is why it is sold," said Natalia.

"Before it was to remodel a house, buy a car, throw a party. Today it is because, 'I can't make ends meet', 'my utilities have increased' or 'I'm out of work.'"

Source: AFP

Authors:
AFP avatar

AFP AFP text, photo, graphic, audio or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium. AFP news material may not be stored in whole or in part in a computer or otherwise except for personal and non-commercial use. AFP will not be held liable for any delays, inaccuracies, errors or omissions in any AFP news material or in transmission or delivery of all or any part thereof or for any damages whatsoever. As a newswire service, AFP does not obtain releases from subjects, individuals, groups or entities contained in its photographs, videos, graphics or quoted in its texts. Further, no clearance is obtained from the owners of any trademarks or copyrighted materials whose marks and materials are included in AFP material. Therefore you will be solely responsible for obtaining any and all necessary releases from whatever individuals and/or entities necessary for any uses of AFP material.