Knowledge
25.04.2022 How to sell gemstones
If you are interested in investing in gemstones, you will sooner or later have to deal with the question of how to resell them. Who can you sell your gemstones to, what do you need to do so, and will you have to pay taxes?
Selling gemstones privately
On online platforms and gemstone exchanges, you will often see gemstones offered alongside jewelry and other items. However, this kind of private sale is only recommended for collector’s stones and jewelry of low material value. The sale of high-value investment stones should definitely be left to professionals, such as auction houses, gem dealers, and jewelers. These professionals can provide realistic price estimates, ensure the security and professionalism of the transaction, and, most importantly, attract serious customers interested in high-priced gemstones.
Selling gemstones through dealers and auction houses
At The Natural Gem, we are happy to make you an offer for your gemstones. We also enjoy seeing previously sold gemstones again! We also offer consignment sales. Other places to sell gemstones include major auction houses, gem dealers, and jewelers. If the gemstones have been made into jewelry, it is best to go to a jeweler or an auction house that specializes in jewelry to assess the total value of the gem in relation to the material value. When reselling through professional sellers, be aware of the costs involved. Find out in advance what the dealer’s margin is and if there are any fees.
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More InformationWhat do I need to sell a gemstone?
First, you need a gemstone certificate to prove the stone’s authenticity and provide a detailed description. These certificates are issued by gemological institutes and laboratories. Certificates from Switzerland are particularly recognized for colored gemstones, e.g., from the Swiss Foundation for Gemstone Research (SSEF), the Swiss Research Gemlab (GRS), or Dunaigre International. For diamonds, certificates from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) have the best international reputation.
To sell your gemstone, send a scan of the certificate and a photo of the stone to a dealer or auction house. NEVER hand over the gemstone together with the original certificate until you have received payment for the stone!
Taxes on selling gemstones?
As a private seller, you can sell without VAT at the net price because you are not required to pay VAT. Furthermore, currently, there is no VAT on the profit from buying and selling gemstones in Austria and Germany if you have owned the gemstone for more than one year.
Dr. Thomas Schröck
The founder and managing partner of THE NATURAL GEM has been active in international gemstone trading for 30 years. As a doctor of economics and a certified gemmologist in Switzerland, Germany and the USA, among other countries, he is one of Europe’s leading experts on naturally-coloured, untreated gemstones and investments in them.
