What to Do With Old Jewellery You Don't Wear Anymore

Most of us have at least one piece of jewellery we haven't worn in years. A ring that no longer fits who you are. A pendant from a relationship that's ended. A chain you inherited but never quite connected with. It sits in a drawer, technically valuable yet forgotten.

If that sounds familiar, you have three options: repurpose it, gift it, or trade it in. For most unworn pieces without a strong story attached, trading it in tends to be the simplest path, and it's the option we'll go into in the most detail here. But it's worth understanding all three before you decide.

Why We Hold Onto Jewellery We Don't Wear

Jewellery is rarely just metal and stone, it carries memory. That's precisely why it's so easy to let unworn pieces accumulate rather than deal with them. Parting with something can feel like parting with the moment it represents, even when the piece itself no longer fits your life.
None of the options below ask you to erase that history. They simply ask what you want to do with the value a piece holds: keep it in its current form, pass it to someone new, or turn it into something else entirely.

Option 1: Repurpose It Into Something New

Repurposing means reworking an existing piece, resetting a stone into a new setting, or melting down gold into a modern silhouette. It suits pieces that carry strong sentimental weight but no longer fit your style, an inherited engagement ring, for example, where the stone is worth preserving even if the band feels dated.
If a piece doesn't carry that kind of personal history, trading it in is usually the more straightforward route. More on that below.

Option 2: Gift or Pass It Down

If a piece holds meaning that belongs to someone else, a sibling, a child, a close friend, gifting it can be the simplest option. This works well for jewellery tied to family history, where the emotional value is the point rather than the design.
For jewellery without that kind of connection, trading it in is often the better fit, and it's the option most people end up choosing.

How is the value of my gold determined?

Your gold is assessed in studio for an initial estimate, then sent to our refiner, who confirms the final value based on its weight and purity. The credit applied to your new piece reflects that confirmed value.

Does the condition of my jewellery matter?

Not for buy back purposes. Since the gold is refined rather than resold as-is, scratches, damage, dated designs, or even a bent chain or single earring don't affect the value, what matters is the gold's weight and purity.

What if my jewellery has stones?

Pieces with stones are still welcome. Stones are removed before the gold is assessed, and the credit reflects the gold itself. If you'd like to keep the stones, let us know at your appointment. Please note you will be required to sign a waiver to confirm your pieces are left with us. Unsetting stones can carry a risk of these pieces being damaged, so this is just something to keep in mind!

Can I trade in jewellery that isn't gold, like silver or costume pieces?

Gold buy back is specifically for gold jewellery. If you're unsure what a piece is made of, a studio appointment is the easiest way to find out; the team can assess it and let you know whether it qualifies.

Do I have to commit to anything at the appointment?

No. You're welcome to bring a piece in purely to have it assessed. There's no obligation to trade it in on the spot, and no pressure either way.

What happens to my gold after I trade it in?

It's sent to our gold refiner for processing. It contributes to the same recycled gold supply we use to craft new pieces, though it isn't tracked back into one specific item.

How can I use my credit?

Your credit can be put towards any piece in our collection, and there's no deadline attached. It's applied whenever you're ready to choose something new.

Is trading in jewellery better than selling it elsewhere?

It depends what you're looking for. Selling for cash elsewhere might suit some situations, but trading in through a jeweller you already like means the value goes directly towards something new, and the process (assessment, refiner confirmation, credit) is transparent from start to finish.

What if I'm not sure whether to repurpose, gift, or trade in a piece?

That uncertainty is normal, especially with sentimental pieces. A studio appointment is a low-pressure way to talk it through, the team can help you weigh the piece's history against its potential.

Can I bring in more than one piece at a time?

Yes. Many people bring in several unworn pieces at once, some to trade in, others just to have assessed. Each piece is evaluated on its own, so you can mix and match repurposing, gifting, and trading in across a single collection.