Lots of people clean out a relative's home after a death and donate anything that was unwanted to the Goodwill or a place like that. The husband of my department head at my school works for Goodwill's online store and you would be shocked at some of the name brand stuff that is turned in. Also, diamond rings, rare editions of books, and so on.

Here's a necklace that someone gave to Goodwill in Indianapolis and now they are auctioning it for $653 http://www.shopgoodwill.com/auctions/18k-Gold-Rope--Box-Chain-Necklace