---
title: "Should I Remove Stones Before Selling Gold?"
source: "https://goldealers.co.uk/knowledge/gold/should-remove-stones-before-selling"
date: "2025-12-02"
---

# Should I Remove Stones Before Selling Gold?

Many gold jewellery items contain diamonds or gemstones. Sellers often wonder if they should take these out before selling the gold for scrap. In this FAQ-style guide, we address this common question directly and explain Goldealers' policy on gemstones.

> **Quick Summary:** It's not strictly necessary to remove gemstones before selling your gold, since gold buyers like Goldealers typically only pay for the metal and will return the stones to you. However, if a stone is valuable (like a large diamond) and you wish to sell it elsewhere or keep it, you may remove it beforehand.

## Gold Buyers Generally Don't Pay for Stones

Understanding what dealers buy helps set proper expectations when selling jewellery with gemstones.

### Why Stones Aren't Included

**Business Focus:**
- Gold dealers specialize in precious metals
- Lack gemstone expertise and certification
- Different market for stones vs metal
- Complex grading for gem quality
- Separate valuation processes needed

**Equal Value Examples:**
A ring with a large diamond = A ring without a stone
(Both valued purely on gold content)

> Whether your ring contains a genuine 2-carat diamond or a cubic zirconia, Goldealers pays the same price – based solely on the gold weight and purity. This is standard practice across the precious metals industry.

### What This Means for Sellers

**Your Options:**
1. **Leave stones in** - We'll return them to you
2. **Remove beforehand** - Sell stones separately
3. **Keep stones** - For sentimental or future use
4. **Sell stones to jeweller** - May get better gem prices

[Complete tips for selling gold jewellery](/knowledge/gold/tips-selling-gold-jewellery)

## Identify Valuable Gems

Not all stones are worth the effort of removal. Understanding gem values helps you decide.

### High-Value Stones Worth Removing

**Diamonds:**
| Size | Estimated Value | Recommendation |
|------|----------------|----------------|
| Over 1.0ct | £1,000+ | Definitely remove |
| 0.5-1.0ct | £500-1,000 | Consider separate sale |
| 0.2-0.5ct | £100-500 | Possibly worth effort |
| Under 0.2ct | Under £100 | Often not worth effort |

**Precious Stones:**
- Large rubies (over 1ct): £500+
- Large sapphires (over 1ct): £400+
- Large emeralds (over 1ct): £300+
- Quality tanzanite: £200+

**Semi-Precious:**
- Aquamarine: £50-200
- Topaz: £20-100
- Amethyst: £10-50
- Citrine: £10-40

> Small melee diamonds (the tiny diamonds often surrounding a main stone) typically have very low resale value individually – often only £5-20 each. The effort to remove them usually exceeds their worth.

### Low or No Value Stones

**Not Worth Removing:**
- Cubic zirconia (CZ) - £0
- Glass stones - £0
- Synthetic stones (unless large) - Low value
- Damaged or chipped gems - Minimal value
- Opaque or cloudy stones - Low value
- Very small accent stones - £1-5 each

### How to Check Stone Value

**Quick Assessment:**
1. Check for obvious flaws or cloudiness
2. Measure size (carat weight)
3. Identify stone type if possible
4. Consider professional appraisal for large stones
5. Compare to online gem prices

**Professional Verification:**
- Local jeweller (often free estimate)
- Certified gemologist (for expensive stones)
- Diamond certification services
- Online gem buyers (for quotes)

## Goldealers' Policy on Gemstones

Understanding our process helps you decide the best approach for your situation.

### Our Standard Procedure

**When You Send Items With Stones:**

**Step 1: Identification**
- All gemstones noted during inspection
- Photographed for records
- Set aside during gold processing

**Step 2: Secure Storage**
- Stones kept separately from gold
- Labeled with your reference number
- Stored securely until return

**Step 3: Return**
- Packaged safely and separately
- Sent back via insured delivery
- No charges for stone return
- Usually returned with your payment

**Step 4: Alternative Option**
- We can offer to buy stones separately (if we have the capability)
- Typically only for very valuable, certified stones
- Not our primary business, so we may decline

> At Goldealers, we understand that stones may have sentimental value. We treat every stone with care and ensure safe return. You won't lose gems unintentionally – you either keep them beforehand or get them back afterward.

### Exception: Very Valuable Stones

**For High-Value Certified Diamonds:**
- We may occasionally purchase separately
- Requires certification (GIA, IGI, etc.)
- Must be loose or easily removable
- Subject to our current buying capacity
- Contact us first to discuss

## When to Remove Stones Yourself

Certain scenarios make pre-removal the better option.

### Good Reasons to Remove

**Before Sending to Goldealers:**

✅ **Remove if:**
- Stone has significant value (over £500)
- You want to keep it for sentimental reasons
- Planning to reset in new jewellery
- Stone is already loose in setting
- You want to sell stone elsewhere
- Certified diamond with papers
- Easy removal without damaging setting

❌ **Don't Remove if:**
- Stone is small (under £50 value)
- Removal risks damaging gold
- You're unsure of stone type
- No tools or experience
- Setting is complex or delicate
- Multiple small stones

> If you're uncertain about a stone's value, send the piece intact to Goldealers. We'll assess it and return the stone to you – then you can decide whether to sell it separately.

### How to Remove Stones Safely

**Professional Removal (Recommended):**
- Local jeweller can remove stones (usually £10-30)
- Safest method
- No risk to stone or setting
- Quick turnaround
- Worth it for valuable stones

**DIY Removal (Only if Experienced):**
- Use proper jewelry tools
- Work over a soft surface
- Good lighting essential
- Magnification helpful
- Watch for prongs
- Never force
- Risk of damage

**When DIY is Acceptable:**
- Costume jewellery
- Loose or already damaged settings
- Very simple claw settings
- Low-value stones
- You have experience

> Never attempt to remove valuable diamonds or precious stones yourself without proper training. One slip can damage a £1,000+ stone, or cause injury from sharp prongs.

## Other Materials in Jewellery

Gemstones aren't the only non-gold elements in jewellery.

### Other Items to Consider

**Common Non-Gold Elements:**

**Watch Components:**
- Movement (mechanism) - Remove if expensive
- Battery - Remove always
- Crystal/glass - Can leave
- Strap - Remove if leather/fabric

**Decorative Elements:**
- Mother of pearl inlays
- Enamel work
- Fabric or leather parts
- Plastic components
- Wood or bone elements

**Structural Elements:**
- Steel pins or posts (in earrings)
- Silver clasps on gold chains
- Base metal backings
- Glue or adhesives

> Remove any obviously non-gold elements before sending for valuation. They add weight but no value, and may affect your weight-based quote.

### Bi-Metal Items

**Gold and Other Metals Combined:**
- Gold and silver pieces
- Gold-plated steel watches
- Gold with platinum accents
- Gold with rhodium plating

**Our Approach:**
We test each component separately and pay for only the gold content. Mixed-metal items are handled carefully to ensure accurate valuation.

## Secure Packaging for Items With Stones

If you send jewellery with stones still attached, proper packaging prevents loss.

### Packaging Guidelines

**For Items With Stones:**

**Do:**
- Wrap each piece individually
- Use small zip-lock bags
- Cushion with bubble wrap
- Check all prongs are secure
- Tape bag closures
- Use rigid container inside envelope

**Don't:**
- Let loose stones rattle
- Pack multiple items together without separation
- Use excessive force when packaging
- Forget to include your details

[Complete guide to safe packaging](/knowledge/postal/how-to-package-gold-for-posting)

### Special Attention Items

**Extra Care Needed:**
- Rings with loose stones
- Earrings with pushbacks
- Necklaces with dangles
- Items with fragile settings
- Antique pieces with delicate work

**Our Advice:**
If any stone is noticeably loose, either:
1. Have it secured by a jeweller before sending
2. Note it clearly in your package documentation
3. Consider removing it yourself

## Real Examples from Goldealers Customers

Understanding common scenarios helps you make informed decisions.

### Example 1: Engagement Ring

**Scenario:**
- 18ct white gold ring (3g)
- 0.75ct diamond, good quality
- Customer keeps diamond, sells setting

**Outcome:**
- Gold value: £110
- Diamond separately appraised: £1,200
- Total return: £1,310
- **Benefit of separation: £1,200**

### Example 2: Multiple Small Stones

**Scenario:**
- 9ct gold eternity ring (4g)
- 15 small diamonds (0.05ct each)
- All stones returned to customer

**Outcome:**
- Gold value: £80
- Melee diamonds resale: £50 total (if she chooses to sell)
- **Benefit: Minimal, but customer kept stones for sentimental reasons**

### Example 3: Costume Jewellery

**Scenario:**
- Gold-plated ring with large CZ
- Customer thought it was real gold and diamond

**Outcome:**
- No gold value (only plating)
- CZ has no value
- Items returned to customer
- **Learning: XRF testing revealed true composition**

> Goldealers' professional testing protects both us and customers from misunderstandings about metal content and stone authenticity.

## Frequently Asked Questions

**Q: Do I need to take gemstones out of my gold jewellery before selling it?**  
A: It's not strictly necessary to remove gemstones before selling your gold, since gold buyers like Goldealers typically only pay for the metal and will return the stones to you. However, if a stone is valuable (like a large diamond) and you wish to sell it elsewhere or keep it, you may remove it beforehand or have a jeweller do it.

**Q: What happens to the stones if I don't remove them?**  
A: Goldealers will carefully remove any stones during our processing and return them to you via insured delivery. There's no charge for this service, and stones are handled with care throughout.

**Q: Will I get more money if I sell the stones to you as well?**  
A: Generally no. We specialize in precious metals, not gemstones. You'll typically get better prices for valuable stones from jewellers or specialized gem dealers who focus on that market.

**Q: How do I know if my stone is worth removing?**  
A: Generally, diamonds over 0.5 carats or precious stones over 1 carat are worth considering for separate sale. Very small stones (melee diamonds under 0.2ct) typically aren't worth the effort of removal and separate sale.

**Q: Can fake stones damage the gold valuation?**  
A: No. Stones (real or fake) don't affect the gold valuation because we pay only for gold content. However, fake stones have no separate value, so there's no benefit to removing them.

**Q: What if a stone falls out during shipping?**  
A: This is why we recommend secure packaging. If you're concerned about loose stones, either have them secured by a jeweller before shipping, or remove them yourself. Items sent to Goldealers are insured during transit.

## Next Steps

Whether you remove stones beforehand or send items intact, Goldealers handles everything professionally. You won't lose valuable gems, and our process ensures you can make informed decisions about both your gold and gemstones.

**Useful Resources:**
- [Complete guide to selling gold jewellery](/knowledge/gold/tips-selling-gold-jewellery)
- [How to safely package jewellery for posting](/knowledge/postal/how-to-package-gold-for-posting)
- [How to sell scrap gold in the UK](/knowledge/gold/how-to-sell-scrap-gold-uk)

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*Published by Goldealers Ltd · https://goldealers.co.uk/knowledge/gold/should-remove-stones-before-selling*