Jewelry donation is one of the most flexible ways to give. Almost any piece of jewelry — worn, unwanted, inherited, mismatched, or broken — can be donated to support veteran programs. The condition rarely matters. Here's what's accepted.
Jewelry Categories Accepted
Rings of all types — engagement rings, wedding bands, class rings, cocktail rings, signet rings, mothers' rings. Solitaires, halos, three-stones, eternity bands. Missing stones, bent shanks, broken prongs are fine.
Necklaces and pendants — gold chains, silver chains, diamond necklaces, pearl strands, opera-length, chokers, lockets, religious pendants, charm necklaces.
Earrings — studs, hoops, drops, dangles, chandeliers. Even single earrings from lost pairs are accepted.
Bracelets and bangles — tennis bracelets, charm bracelets, bangles, cuffs, ID bracelets, ankle bracelets.
Watches — mechanical, quartz, and smartwatches. Vintage watches, luxury watches (Rolex, Omega, Cartier, Patek), department-store watches, dive watches, pocket watches. Non-working watches are accepted — many can be repaired or the case, movement, and metal have value.
Brooches, pins, and lapel pins.
Body jewelry — new/unworn only.
Metals Accepted
- Gold — 10k, 14k, 18k, 22k, 24k
- White gold, yellow gold, rose gold
- Platinum
- Sterling silver (925) and higher silver purities
- Palladium
Gold-filled and gold-plated items are accepted but valued at metal-recovery rates rather than solid gold rates.
Gemstones and Pearls
- Diamonds — natural and lab-grown, mounted or loose
- Colored precious stones — rubies, sapphires, emeralds
- Semi-precious stones — amethyst, aquamarine, garnet, topaz, tanzanite, tourmaline, opal
- Pearls — cultured and natural, freshwater and saltwater, strands and mounted
- Estate jewelry with any combination of the above
Coins, Bullion, and Precious Metals
- Gold and silver coins (numismatic and bullion)
- Silver dollars, half dollars, quarters, dimes (pre-1965 U.S. silver coinage)
- Bullion bars and rounds (gold, silver, platinum, palladium)
- Coin collections and numismatic sets
- Foreign gold and silver coins
Silverware and Silver Items
- Flatware sets (sterling silver and silver plate)
- Tea sets, coffee sets
- Trays, bowls, candlesticks
- Serving pieces
- Sterling collectibles
Sterling silver items have real value; heavier silver plate items have some value but less than solid silver.
What About Costume Jewelry?
Costume jewelry (base metal with paint or plated finish) generally has limited resale value and isn't usually the target of specialized donation programs. Some pieces — vintage costume from named designers, Bakelite, high-quality mid-century pieces — do have collector value. If in doubt, describe what you have and let the coordinator assess.
Condition Doesn't Matter
Jewelry donation is one of the few categories where condition truly doesn't matter. Bent, broken, missing stones, tarnished, unwearable — all fine. The value comes from precious metals, stones, and (for higher-end pieces) the recognizable brand or design.
A gold ring with a missing diamond still has the gold value. A silver bracelet with a broken clasp still has the silver value. A watch that doesn't run still has the case, movement, and possibly the brand value.
Don't clean, polish, or try to repair anything before donating. The specialists on the receiving end will handle appropriate treatment.
How Jewelry Donation Works
Rather than an in-person drop or a pickup, jewelry donation typically uses free prepaid, insured shipping. You provide contact information and describe what you're sending; you receive a prepaid label with insurance coverage; you mail the item. See How Jewelry Donation Works for the full process.
Tax Treatment
Jewelry and precious metals are non-cash charitable contributions. Deductible value is fair market value at the time of donation. For donations over $500, IRS Form 8283 is required (About Form 8283). For donations over $5,000, a qualified appraisal is required.
For gold and silver bullion, the deduction is generally the market spot price at donation. For jewelry pieces, the deduction typically reflects secondhand market value, not retail replacement value.
See Tax Benefits of Donating Valuables for the full tax picture, and Are Veteran Donations Tax-Deductible? for the general framework.
Ready to Donate Jewelry?
The process is simple, secure, and supports U.S. veterans through Salute Veterans Inc., a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN 84-2016237). Request a free prepaid shipping label to get started.
You can also learn more at DonateJewelry.org.