Do you have an old family heirloom you want to wear, but the style doesn’t work for you?

Or did you find a dazzling gemstone ring at an estate sale, but the setting is outdated, scratched, or in need of repair?

Gemstones, when in good condition, can be repurposed to make chic, vintage jewelry you’ll love to wear, allowing you to carry your family’s story every day. 

You may have considered selling the gemstone to invest in a piece of jewelry that better fits your style, but while diamonds have resale value, the vast majority of gemstones don’t. As semi-precious stones, they’re produced in mass quantities, often synthetic, and easy to procure. 

But, that doesn’t mean your gemstone isn’t stunning or has sentimental value. 

So, when you can’t sell your gemstone for cash and you don’t want to wear the jewelry, what can you do with it? Find out below. 

Visit Your Local Gold and Diamond Buyer

First things first, talk to your Memphis Gold and Diamond Buyers expert. Gemstones, even when synthetic, are usually set in real gold, silver, or platinum. 

If you don’t like the setting or the jewelry chain is damaged, you can sell the precious metal for cash. Learn more about the selling process here. 

Our experts have the tools to remove most gemstones from their setting (free of charge), so you can keep your heirloom until you’re ready to design something new. 

How to Reuse Gemstones

Regardless of what you want to do with your gemstone, you’ll need to hire a jeweler to design a piece for you. We’re happy to recommend a few jewelers we’ve trusted with our designs.  

But, keep in mind, you may find out that some gemstones may not be worth repurposing. For example, re-designing a $100 costume piece would cost more than buying new jewelry altogether. And other gemstones might not have the hardness and ability to resist scratching or breaking during the design process. 

It makes sense to create a new piece, here are a few things you can do with your old gemstone:

• Turn the pendant into a ring or charm
• Put the gemstone in a new setting
• Restring your pearls into a smaller strand or bracelet
• Swap out the metal. Maybe the gemstone is set in silver, but you prefer white gold? 
• Encircle the gemstone with diamonds to create a whole new look

Think outside-the-box when it comes to your new design! You can also use sites like Pinterest to get ideas and inspiration. 
Have a gemstone you’d like to remove from a piece of jewelry? Stop by our store at 3173 Poplar Avenue to have it safely removed for free.