Jewellery Investments: Which Jewellery Increases in Value

Jewelry investments: Which jewelry appreciates in value. In short: Let's be honest: Most jewelry pieces are not good financial investments. Buying a ring from a jeweler and reselling it a few years later almost always results in a loss, as the purchase price includes margin, design costs, and craftsmanship that are not recovered upon resale.

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

Read more: Determining jewelry value: How much is your jewelry really worth?.

Jewelry as an investment is a topic that is gaining more interest in uncertain economic times. But not all jewelry increases in value. This guide objectively explains which jewelry is suitable as an investment and which is not.

The basic truth about jewelry as an investment

What can gain in value?

Rare natural gemstones (unheated, with certificate)

Large, unheated Burmese rubies, Kashmir sapphires, or Colombian emeralds of top quality with GIA or GRS certificates: These stones have increased significantly in value over the past decades. Unheated sapphires from Kashmir became rarer, and the price per carat increased tenfold in 30 years. Important: Only certified pieces retain their value; non-certified pieces cannot be reliably assessed.

Historical jewelry (antique, signed pieces)

Signed jewelry from major houses (Cartier, Van Cleef, Bulgari) from historical periods (Art Deco, Art Nouveau, Edwardian) regularly sells for more than the purchase price at auctions. This is a highly specialized field that requires expertise.

Gold bar purity in solid gold

The material value of solid gold jewelry (585, 750) corresponds to the current gold price, and gold prices rise in the long term. This means: Genuine gold jewelry never loses its material value. It is not an investment in the sense of appreciation, but it is a value-retaining asset.

What never works as an investment

• Fashion jewelry: No material value, no collector value, a consumer item
• Mass-produced gold jewelry without design value: Material value minus processing costs results in a loss when melted down
• Treated gemstones without a certificate: Almost impossible to prove and unlikely to retain their value
• Diamonds in the mid-quality range: The historical increase in diamond prices was real; however, lab-grown diamonds have permanently changed the market

The emotional investment value

There is another type of "value" in jewelry that is not monetary: A piece passed down through generations, a ring given for an engagement, a necklace from a grandmother. This emotional value cannot be transferred at auction, but it is real and sometimes more significant than any financial value.

What matters

Anyone who considers jewelry a financial investment would be better off investing in gold ETFs or commodity funds. Anyone who buys jewelry because they love it, wear it, and enjoy it is making the right decision. The "return" lies in wearing it every day, not in the resale price.

What quality jewelry do you find at Corelune?

For the joy of wearing it, not for your portfolio, you will find jewelry at Corelune Jewellery that is meant to be lived in.

Discover jewelry that brings joy!

Which material holds up best in everyday use?

Read more: Why jewelry is the ideal Christmas gift.

When does wearing jewelry damage the pieces?

Most damage does not occur in the shower, but during sports, while sleeping, and when putting on and taking off jewelry. For glued-in stones, hot water and ultrasonic cleaning are the two real risks. Those who make this a routine only notice the difference after years, and that is exactly the point.

What usually goes wrong when buying jewelry?

Anyone who asks themselves a question before buying jewelry can rule out half of the mistakes: How often will I really wear this? Often, one's own existing jewelry is ignored, so the new piece doesn't match anything already owned. This significantly reduces the likelihood that the piece will be left unused after two weeks.

How do you recognize well-made jewelry?

Anyone who has ever discarded a piece after a few weeks knows the points where it gives way first. The clasp is the most common weak point, followed by loops and soldered seams, in that order. Everything else, from polishing to packaging, says little about durability.

What is often asked about this

What cleans stainless steel jewelry without damaging it?

Risk-free cleaning: warm water, mild soap, soft cloth. Stay away from ultrasonic cleaners for glued-in stones and anything abrasive.

Does stainless steel jewelry become dull or dark?

Stainless steel loses its color more slowly than the alternatives. Where a coating is applied, such as on colored pieces, abrasion over the years must still be expected.

Can I resell fashion jewelry later?

No, and no one should talk you out of it. Fashion jewelry has use value, not material value. Anyone looking for substance should choose solid gold and other price points.

Examples in our range include: Heart ring with crystal stones in stainless steel and Circle earrings in stainless steel. You can find more bestsellers in the category our bestsellers.

About the author

Phil runs Corelune Jewellery in Düsseldorf and has been working daily with stainless steel jewelry since 2024: sample testing, handling complaints, and everyday wear tests. The information in this article comes from our own range and from what customers have reported. Where Corelune does not offer something, that is also stated here.

Material, dimensions, and prices at a glance

Showering, swimming, and sports do not affect stainless steel; it does not tarnish. See the values from the Corelune range for reference.

Which categories fit this topic?

Specifically, it looks like this:

• Zirconia and crystal jewelry

From two pieces, the price per piece decreases: 20% on 2, 25% on 3, 30% on 4, 35% on 5, and from 59 euros, shipping is free. Two pieces in the same metal color can be freely combined.

View zirconia and crystal jewelry at Corelune

At Corelune: Free shipping from €59, 14-day returns, shipping from the Netherlands.

→ View waterproof jewelry at Corelune