Selling a diamond or important gemstone starts with knowing exactly what you have. Gulf Coast combines professional gemological knowledge with decades of experience buying fine jewelry and valuable personal property.
Gulf Coast Coin & Jewelry primarily purchases diamonds and significant precious or colored gemstones accompanied by recognized laboratory certification.
Certification gives both buyer and seller independent information about the characteristics of a stone and can make the buying process substantially more straightforward.
If your stone is not certified, that does not necessarily mean we cannot help. Our jewelry department has professional gemological expertise available to determine what additional identification or testing may be appropriate.
Bring it with the stone or jewelry. Original laboratory reports, previous appraisals, receipts and provenance can all be helpful when reviewing an item.
Bring the diamond or gemstone together with its original laboratory report. We can review the stone, its certification and the current market to determine our interest in purchasing it.
We may still be able to help. When professional gemstone identification or evaluation is required, a fee may apply for the knowledge and time of our Graduate Gemologist.
When appropriate, Gulf Coast can assist with sending a stone to an independent grading laboratory. Grading and associated costs are the responsibility of the seller or buyer.
From an individual certified stone to an important piece of estate jewelry, each item is considered individually.
Certified natural diamonds, including loose stones and diamonds mounted in fine jewelry.
Significant sapphires, rubies, emeralds and other natural colored gemstones may be considered.
Important stones set in rings, necklaces, bracelets, earrings and other pieces of fine jewelry.
Certified loose stones are preferred. Uncertified stones may require professional identification or laboratory services before a purchase decision can be made.
Gulf Coast's diamond buying is focused on natural diamonds. If you are unsure whether your diamond is natural or laboratory-grown, speak with our jewelry department before making a trip specifically to sell the stone.
Two stones that look similar at first glance can represent very different markets. Professional grading and gemological information help establish the characteristics that buyers need to understand.
With diamonds, factors such as carat weight, color, clarity and cut can materially affect market value. With colored gemstones, identity, quality and treatments may also be important.
Identifying a gemstone is not the same thing as simply weighing a piece of jewelry. Our jewelry department has access to the knowledge and experience of a GIA-trained Graduate Gemologist when professional gemstone identification is needed.
That expertise requires professional time, training and examination. For uncertified stones requiring gemological identification or evaluation, a service fee may apply.
Any applicable charge for professional gemological services will be discussed with the customer before the service is performed.
An uncertified stone does not automatically end the conversation. The next step depends on what you have and what information is necessary to evaluate it properly.
Bring the stone or jewelry to Gulf Coast, along with any paperwork you already have. We begin by reviewing the item and the available information.
If additional identification, gemological work or independent grading is necessary, we will explain the recommended next step before proceeding.
Depending on the stone, professional gemological services may be performed for a fee or Gulf Coast can assist with submission to an independent grading laboratory.
You remain in control. Any charge for professional gemological services or outside laboratory submission will be discussed before that service is performed.
In some situations, independent laboratory grading may be the appropriate next step. Gulf Coast can assist with arranging submission of a diamond or gemstone to a grading laboratory when appropriate.
The resulting report can provide independent documentation about the stone and may be useful whether the item is ultimately being sold, purchased, retained or otherwise evaluated.
Laboratory fees and applicable shipping, insurance or related submission expenses are the responsibility of the seller or buyer. Costs and the proposed submission should be discussed before the stone is sent.
Previous paperwork can provide useful information, but an insurance or retail appraisal is not the same as a current resale value or purchase offer.
A few things to know before bringing a diamond or precious stone to Gulf Coast.
Gulf Coast primarily purchases diamonds with recognized laboratory certification. An uncertified natural diamond may require professional gemological services or independent laboratory grading before a purchase decision can be made.
No. Gulf Coast Coin & Jewelry does not purchase lab-grown diamonds. Our diamond buying is focused on natural diamonds.
Depending on the stone, our Graduate Gemologist may be able to provide professional identification or determine what additional testing is appropriate. Gemological services require professional time and expertise, so a service fee may apply.
Not necessarily. A purchase review and professional gemological services are not always the same thing. When an uncertified stone requires professional identification or additional evaluation, a fee may apply. Any applicable charge will be discussed before the service is performed.
When appropriate, Gulf Coast can assist with arranging submission to an independent grading laboratory. Laboratory grading and applicable shipping, insurance and related expenses are the responsibility of the seller or buyer.
Yes. Gulf Coast considers both loose natural diamonds and diamonds mounted in fine jewelry. The complete piece may be considered when determining the appropriate market for the item.
Gulf Coast considers significant natural colored gemstones, including ruby, sapphire and emerald. Certification is preferred, and some stones may require professional identification or independent laboratory services before a purchase decision can be made.
No. Appraisals and purchase offers serve different purposes. An appraisal may provide useful information about an item, but a purchase offer reflects the specific stone or jewelry and its current secondary market.
No. Bring the piece as it is. There is no need to remove a stone from its setting before an initial review unless you have already been specifically advised to do so.
Send us clear photographs of the stone or jewelry along with photographs of any certification, grading report or paperwork you already have. For significant stones, an in-person examination may be necessary before a purchase can be discussed.
All Internet and Website Prices are indicators ONLY. Must be confirmed by phone or in person. Price Subject to change quickly and without notice.
