Wann am Tag sollte ich die Ringgröße messen?

Miss den Fingerumfang abends mit einem Papierstreifen, weil Finger im Tagesverlauf leicht anschwellen. Der Umfang in Millimetern entspricht der deutschen Ringgröße.

Lässt sich die Ringgröße nachträglich ändern?

Bei Edelstahl ist die Weite kaum veränderbar, weil sich das Material schlecht bearbeiten lässt. Deshalb ist der Umtausch innerhalb der Rückgabefrist meist der schnellere Weg.

Wie trage ich mehrere Ringe an einem Finger?

Ja, sofern es gebündelt bleibt: zwei bis drei schmale Ringe an einem Finger statt verteilt über die ganze Hand.

Lohnt sich der Kauf mehrerer gleicher Teile?

Ja, wenn du ein Stück täglich trägst. Zwei identische Teile im Wechsel halten zusammen deutlich länger als eines im Dauereinsatz, weil sich die Belastung an Verschluss und Kontaktflächen verteilt.

Disposing of or melting down gold jewelry: What's worthwhile?

04.06.20266 Min. Lesezeit

Edelstahlschmuck von Corelune zum Thema Goldschmuck entsorgen oder einschmelzen: Was lohnt sich?

Kurz gesagt: Old, unworn gold jewelry, what to do with it? Whether it's inherited pieces that no longer fit, jewelry after a breakup, or simply designs that no longer match your style: There are several options, and not all of them are

Disposing of gold jewelry or melting it down: what's worth it? In short: Old, unworn gold jewelry—what to do with it? Whether it's inherited pieces that no longer fit, jewelry after a breakup, or simply designs that no longer match your style: there are several options, and not all of them are equally sensible.

As of: September 2026. By Phil Oberlaender, Corelune Jewellery, Düsseldorf.

Selling, melting down, or donating gold jewelry: the best decision

Option 1: Melting down & selling as material value

Gold buyers and refineries pay the current material value (gold price × weight × fineness), minus a processing fee. The craftsmanship premium is lost. This is the fastest, but often not the most valuable method.

Tip: Compare at least three buyers and know the current gold price beforehand.

Option 2: Selling as a pre-owned piece

Designer pieces from Tiffany, Cartier, Van Cleef, or Pomellato often fetch significantly more on the second-hand market than their material value. Platforms like Chrono24 (for watches), Vestiaire Collective, eBay, or specialized second-hand jewelers are the right places to go.

Option 3: Having it reworked

A goldsmith can transform old jewelry into new pieces; the gold and stones are reset in a modern design. This is often the most emotional solution: the memory is preserved, and the piece gets a new lease on life.

Grandfather's wedding ring A modern signet ring for the grandson
Old brooch Pendant for a necklace
Several old rings A new statement ring

Option 4: Gifting & passing it on

Sometimes the most valuable thing about old jewelry isn't the gold, but the story behind it. Pass on heirlooms intentionally, with a letter that tells the story of the piece.

Option 5: Donating

Some aid organizations accept gold donations and use the proceeds for their work. An unusual, but meaningful option for pieces without personal significance.

What should you not do?

Do not use dubious, low-price buyers without price transparency
Do not blindly accept the first offer
Have stones appraised separately before melting down

Let us re-evaluate or rework your old jewelry at Corélune; we combine the past with the present and create new treasures out of old stories.

All rings at a glance

Which ring shape is suitable for everyday use?

Problem	Cause	What helps
Ring spins	Chosen too large	Half a size smaller or a wider ring
Ring won't go over the knuckle	Measured only at the finger	Measure over the knuckle
Ring feels tight in the evening	Measured in the morning	Measure in the evening and reorder
Stone is wobbly	Setting has weakened	Check early, test with a fingernail

What stainless steel parts can handle in everyday life and what they can't

Most damage does not occur in the bathroom, but during sports, while sleeping, and when putting on or taking off clothes. Sauna and heat do not harm the material, but they accelerate wear on coated parts. Those who rarely take off their pieces anyway should at least make an exception before sleeping.

How do you wear stainless steel pieces without it looking overloaded?

With stainless steel pieces, the rule is: repetition looks intentional, coincidence looks random. With solid-colored tops, a single statement piece stands out best. When in doubt: one piece less almost always looks better.

Which bad buys can be avoided with stainless steel pieces?

Those who know the typical pitfalls can make their selection faster and with fewer returns. Often, one's own existing jewelry is ignored, so the new piece doesn't match anything already owned. The best test is asking yourself if you would wear it on an ordinary Tuesday.

What do good stainless steel pieces cost and what do you get for it?

The price of stainless steel pieces consists of material, processing effort, and brand markup, and you only notice the first two points while wearing them. For stainless steel pieces under ten euros, the processing is usually the item where costs were cut. No material value is created in this price range, but you get a piece that can withstand daily life.

How do you keep stainless steel pieces looking beautiful for a long time?

Care for stainless steel pieces consists of two simple steps; everything else is unnecessary. For coated parts, a dry cloth is sufficient; water only when necessary and then only briefly. This keeps stainless steel pieces in the condition you bought them in for years.

Material, dimensions, and prices at a glance

Showering, swimming, and sports do not harm stainless steel; it does not tarnish. For reference, here are the values from the Corelune assortment.

Feature	Value
Material	Stainless steel (RVS 304 or RVS 316), nickel-free, waterproof, and tarnish-resistant
Gold plating	14 karat, 2.5 micrometers on stainless steel
Chain lengths	Choker 32 cm to 36 cm, standard 37 cm to 45 cm, long from 46 cm
Ring sizes	16 mm to 19 mm inner diameter, many adjustable
Prices	most pieces between €30 and €36, no piece over €65
Multiple pieces	20% off 2 pieces, 25% off 3, 30% off 4, 35% off 5
Shipping	free from €59, 2 to 5 business days to Germany, 14-day returns

Frequently asked questions

What time of day should I measure my ring size?

Measure your finger circumference in the evening with a paper strip, because fingers swell slightly throughout the day. The circumference in millimeters corresponds to the German ring size.

Can the ring size be changed later?

With stainless steel, the width is almost impossible to change because the material is difficult to work with. Therefore, an exchange within the return period is usually the faster way.

How do I wear multiple rings on one finger?

Yes, as long as it remains bundled: two to three narrow rings on one finger instead of spread out over the whole hand.

Is it worth buying multiple identical pieces?

Yes, if you wear a piece daily. Two identical pieces worn in rotation last significantly longer together than one in constant use, because the strain on the clasp and contact surfaces is distributed.

Fitting from the assortment: Narrow Love Ring made of stainless steel and Gold ring made of stainless steel, adjustable. You can find more rings in the category Rings.

About the author

Phil Oberlaender runs Corelune Jewellery in Düsseldorf and has been working with stainless steel jewelry daily since 2024: quality control, complaints, wear tests in everyday life. The information in this article comes from our own assortment and from customer feedback. Where Corelune does not offer something, it states so here.

Which categories fit this topic?

Fitting from the assortment:

The quantity discount is 20% for two pieces, 25% for three, 30% for four, and 35% for five. Free shipping from 59 euros. A combination of two pieces covers more occasions than a single piece.

View adjustable rings at Corelune