Selling engagement and wedding rings

[Flybbergybe]

My divorce is just about to be settled and I would like to try and sell my engagement and wedding rings. They're not worth a fortune (bought for approx. £1000 and £300 respectively). The engagement ring was made by a small independent jewellery workshop in the town where my exH now lives, so going back there isn't an option.

My local v. posh jewellers isn't interested as they only buy vintage, so I'm wondering where else I could try? Thanks MN!

I would go back to the workshop that made the ring, tell them what's happened and ask if they can remodel it into something else. They will be able to melt down your wedding ring and put that into the mix too so you have one piece made from both. It doesn't have to a ring, it could be earrings or something else. That way you'll have something you really like made from something that didn't work out.

Considering selling some of mine, does anyone know whether a jeweller can give a quote for free or do they charge for that? Ie - is it worth shopping around.
I just don't know the weight..

I like the idea of getting my rings made into a new piece of jewellery, perhaps a pendant or even charms on a bracelet, for my DC.

If you’re spending as much on a ring as a decent Rolex or Patek then the ring will almost certainly hold its value.

I’ve owned lots of jewellery some of which I’ve sold after a few years. I always buy good quality antique and have always got back what I’ve paid. Often more.

I was hasty and unthinking saying Patek, tbh. I meant something that is known to hold its value.

I took mine a few years ago to a few shops I got ridiculous offers between 100-200, they were 3000 and 1000 new. Best bet is to sell of Facebook or ebay

@RunningOverTime

I’ve owned lots of jewellery some of which I’ve sold after a few years. I always buy good quality antique and have always got back what I’ve paid. Often more.

Ah but you bought antique. Second hand jewellery has no VAT so yes you can get back what you paid but it's less likely if you buy new retail.

Unless it is a significant stone but with LAB diamonds flooding the market, that's not certain anymore

Gold is worth a lot just now. The per ounce value is way more than platinum. Maybe remove any stones and sell the gold?
I have 3 diamonds in my engagement ring and I'm thinking about getting earrings and a necklace made instead. Just never got round to it or found out how much it would cost.

I had mine made into another piece of jewellery..well 2 a ring and a pendant.
I offered ExH them back but he didn't want them.
I like jewellery so treated myself to remodelling them.
That's only an option of you don't mind paying out to do that and don't need/want to money for anything else.
The end result is a beautiful ring that regularly gets commented on but I should also say the ending of my marriage wasn't traumatic merely 2 people that had grown too far apart and are happier not together.

I gave my 18 carat gold diamond solitaire to one of my nieces who had recently got married but never had an engagement ring. She loves it and wears it all the time. I would never have worn it again and I offered it to my DD but she didn't want it because it was yellow gold and she likes platinum or white gold.

@stbeaker "Because most people think the ring will be for life. Not many people go into marriage - thinking it will end in divorce." Precisely, thank you.

I don't think I want the rings made into anything else as I will always see those diamonds as a painful reminder of me and exH. I want to forget him, not be constantly reminded of him! Only one DS and he has no interest in my jewellery. I think I might just put keep them in their box and have another look in a year or so. But thanks everyone for your advice/opinions :)

If you go to a local jeweller they might let you trade them for something else. Personally I wouldn't sell jewellery on ebay. You could try a local auction house but you won't get much and there will be seller's fees

DH bought my engagement ring on ebay for £1,500. The seller had a valuation report at £6,200. DH got it valued again when he bought it which came out the same.

If you sell yourself on ebay you'll probably get 20% of its value. If you sell to a shop they'll give you even less.

I'm not sure about passing it on to family. Would they really want a family piece of jewellery that's the result of divorce? Even though I bought second hand, that didn't bother me but getting a piece from family wouldn't make me feel comfortable knowing the actual people involved in the relationship breakdown.

Can you have them recycled into something else? Lots of small independent jewellers will take commissions and re-use your old precious metals and gems.

Ah sorry, just seen you wouldn’t want to do this.

I sold my engagement and wedding rings on eBay. They were platinum and the engagement ring had a small diamond. I got more than the metal value (almost double) which is all I got offered by jewellers/cash converters type places.

Can I gently suggest that you put them away for a few years and then reconsider? I felt exactly the same and sold all 3 rings in a fit of pique. 5 years on I really regret it as I've sold some of the nicest jewellery I had and will never afford to replace it. New partner has made it clear I'm never getting married again too 😂