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Afshin Reveals his Top Jewelry Investment Ideas for 2026
Investing in jewelry is considered by many to be one of the most enjoyable ways to invest, seeing as you get to enjoy and cherish your investment as it appreciates.
With decades of experience behind them, Michael Khordipour, Afshin Shaddaie, and Benjamin Khordipour join together in this article to share their top jewelry investment picks for 2026, alongside expert tips to help you make confident decisions in this exciting market.
Important Note: This article represents the editorial opinions of Estate Diamond Jewelry and is for educational purposes only. It is not financial or investment advice. See our full disclosure at the bottom of this page
- Kashmir Sapphires
- Signed Luxury Jewelry
- Natural Saltwater Pearls
- Colored & Fancy Diamonds
- Rare Vintage Rings
- Unheated Burma Rubies
- Gold and Platinum
- Colombian Emeralds
Skip to the bottom of the article for Afshin’s Tips for Jewelry Investing.
Top Jewelry Investment Ideas
Despite the movement in the markets, certain types of jewelry have had a good trajectory over the past few decades. The following article explores jewelry categories we believe are worthwhile to do research on in 2026.
1. Kashmir Sapphires
Many consider Kashmir sapphires to be even more desirable than diamonds, and for some investors this has been true with respect to their investment returns in recent years. Top gem-quality Kashmir sapphires are one of the most desirable items for many in the jewelry industry this past year. And due to their extreme rarity, they are one of the most sought-after gemstones in the world.
There are only a handful of expert collectors in the world who understand gem-quality Kashmir Sapphires. And we strongly recommend consulting with an expert before going through with the purchase.
Like most of the items on this list, there will be a lot to learn about Kashmir sapphires before purchasing them.
“The prices for Gem-Quality Kashmir Sapphires are now more than ten times what they were in the 1980s,” says Michael Khordipour, one of the world’s leading experts on Kashmir Sapphires. “And many expect the prices to continue rising.”
Read our article to learn much more about Kashmir Sapphires.
2. Signed Designer and Luxury Brand Jewelry
Signed designer and luxury jewelry has always been very popular for the most ambitious jewelry investors. The driving motivation behind this type of purchase is that the investor hopes to lean on the popularity of the Jewelry House to keep the investment growing. For many jewelry investors over the years, buying signed designer jewelry has been extremely rewarding.
That being said, there a few things that one needs to know before thinking of investing in designer jewelry:
- Authenticity. You will want paperwork to confirm the authenticity of the designer jewelry. Not always will that be possible, especially with older jewelry, but at the least, you will want an expert to look at the stamps on the jewelry to ensure authenticity.
- Age. The vintage of the jewelry piece is one of the most compelling factors for designer jewelry. Often, the older, the better.
- Craftsmanship. Even the best jewelry houses have pieces that are good and pieces that aren’t. Before investing in a vintage designer jewelry peice, you will want to talk to an expert who can examine the piece to ensure the craftsmanship is up to par.
- Desirability. You will want to consult with a jewelry expert to ensure that the signed vintage designer jewelry is desirable. Not all jewelry designers are desirable.
Here are the names of a few of the more popular jewelry designers: Bvlgari, Graff, Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Jar, Boucheron, Buccellati (only if vintage), and Tiffany & Co. A few others to look out for would be J.E. Caldwell, Dreicer & Co, Black Starr & Frost, Marcus, and BB&B.
Please note that if you don’t see the designer on the list above, consult with a jewelry expert first if you’re planning on buying that piece only for investment purposes.
View our rare collection for examples of signed designer and luxury jewelry.
3. Natural Saltwater Pearls
One of the most interesting jewelry to watch over the past few decades has been Collection-Grade Natural-Saltwater Pearl jewelry. It is a hyper-niche category of pearls, and is considered by many to be the most valuable type of pearl in existence.
Many collectors of natural saltwater pearls attribute the value these pearls coming as a result of them being almost impossible to currently source. Almost all the natural saltwater pearls that are currently available on the market were found over one hundred years ago.
Consequently, the prices of these pieces are sky-high, with some collectors believing that the prices will continue to grow in the upcoming years.
And, as a bonus to its value, most of these pearls are usually featured in very rare antique jewelry.
Here are some of Benjamin Khordipour’s most important tips to know when shopping for investment-level natural saltwater pearls:
- Certificates: Make sure that the pearls are certified by a reputable appraisal company. Benjamin usually recommends trying to secure two separate certificates.
- Terminology on Certificate: The wording on the certificate is vital. Ensure that the certification doesn’t say “fresh water,” “lab-grown,” “Composite Pearl”, or “cultured.” Additionally, look out for wording like “Treated”, “Dyed”, or “Bleached”.
- The Setting: Genuine natural saltwater pearls are usually found in antique jewelry.
- Consultation: Always consult with a natural saltwater pearl expert before purchasing. Pay them for their time and ensure that your everything is in order.
Afshin’s Bonus Tip: Consider searching for an antique natural saltwater pearl jewelry piece that was made by one of the famous jewelry houses (like Cartier or Van Cleef & Arpels). This could greatly amplify the value and possibly make it easier to sell later.
To learn more about Natural Saltwater Pearls, click here.
4. Fancy Color Diamonds
Color diamonds are one of the most exciting types of jewelry investments for collectors during the past few years, and they continue making headlines for their new price-related records.
Colored diamonds, also known as “fancy-color diamonds”, are in a world of their own, as far as diamonds go. And they are absolutely fascinating to see in person.
Unlike regular diamonds, which are valued for their lack of color, colored diamonds are actually valued based on the intensity of their color. These colors can range from shades of yellow, pink, blue, green, and even vivid red.
These colored diamonds are considered by many a serious investment because of their extreme rarity and their elevated popularity among collectors and investors alike. Over the years, they have consistently shown very strong value, making them a very exciting opportunity for jewelry investors to investigate.
Example: In 2017, the famous CTF Pink Star became the most expensive gemstone sale in the world. Sotheby’s Hong Kong sold it for $71.2m.
Click here to learn more about colored diamonds.
5. Rare Antique Rings
Investing in rare antique rings is a passion of extreme love for many of the collectors who do it. In addition to the rarity, many of these antique rings will be picked due to their craftsmanship (and superior design elements), something that simply cannot usually be found in modern rings.
What makes vintage rings into an interesting jewelry investment is their timeless rarity alongside the fact that they’re is usually always a strong demand for rings, especially engagement rings. And as the years go by, fewer and fewer of quality antique rings remain in circulation.
We’ve been curating rare antique rings for over 40 years, and here are some of the best shopping tips:
- Ensure that you buy the antique ring from a reputable seller. There are so many variables to consider when determining authenticity of a vintage ring. A layman will have a much harder time trying to track them all.
- It’s advisable to focus on a ring with high-quality gemstone. This will make your investment a lot stronger.
- Request an appraisal or certificate that confirms the age of the ring. This should be non-negotiable.
- Loupe the ring carefully and examine the quality of the craftsmanship. A well-crafted ring will usually be far easier to resell later on.
- Consult with a jewelry expert before buying, especially if you’re more concerned about the investment value than your personal subjective feelings toward its beauty.
Click here to learn more about buying rare antique rings.
6. Unheated Pigeon Blood Burma Rubies
Unheated Burmese rubies (now called Myanmar rubies) are quickly becoming one of the most sought-after investments in the gemstone world. What sets them apart is their intense red color, remarkable clarity, and the fact that they haven’t been altered by heat treatments, leaving their natural beauty untouched.
The pigeon-blood variety is especially prized and has long been seen as a symbol of wealth and good fortune. As the supply of these rubies from Myanmar continues to shrink, their rarity and value has continued to rise.
Regardless of the sinister name, color is the key factor when shopping for rubies. These gemstones usually have some inclusions; therefore, you can get away with less clarity if the color fits the bill.
Before purchasing, you want to ensure that your Burma Ruby has not received any heat treatment. And without proper certificates, we strongly caution not to make any purchase.
Interesting fact: Christie’s has set the record carat rate for Burmese rubies in 2006 at more than $420,000.
Read our article on Burma Rubies.
7. Precious Metals. Gold and Platinum Jewelry
Investing in precious metals has become extremely popular in recent years, especially at the end of 2025. At the onset of the new millennia, the price of gold was relatively low, at a bit more than $320 per ounce. Recently, though, the prices have gone on a massive uptick, and there are many who project that the prices will keep rising.
It is very hard for anyone to truly know what will happen, but because of recent events, we believe that it makes sense that precious metals are on this list.
So far, the precious metals that are garnering the most attention for investors are silver, gold and platinum. In that order.
In conclusion, it’s hard to predict where these commodities will go, but if you’re buying jewelry anyways, its fun to discover that the metal also appreciated over time.
Important Note: Gold, platinum and silver jewelry will very rarely sell at market-value (but rather at a price closer to melt-value), and so its important to factor that into any projection of investment.
8. No-Oil Colombian Emeralds
Natural Untreated Colombian Emeralds are also on our list of most exciting investments to research this year. Their prices are climbing, and many experts believe that they may keep appreciating with time.
To be considered a “No-Oil Emerald”, the emerald need to be verified that it has not been treated with oil (or other chemical) to enhance their appearance. Additionally, to be investment-quality, the emerald will need to distinguish itself from regular emeralds in color quality, internal perfection, and quality of cut.
No-oil Colombian emeralds have earned a strong reputation among investors thanks to their rarity and their growing prices. They have also shown strong indications that they’ve gained traction among regular commercial buyers, which greatly excites the market.
As with most of the investments on this list, you will want to ensure that you have authoritative certificates certifying that the emerald has no-oil treatment and that it comes from Colombia. Regarding color quality, you will want to consult an emerald expert to ensure that the hues and saturations are gem-quality.
Learn more about the No-Oil Colombian Emerald.
Our Top Tips for Jewelry Investors
Every investment is a risk. There is no such thing as a 100% guarantee in the investing world. However, there are ways to possibly mitigate risk. Here are the important steps that Afshin Shaddaie recommends that you should take.
A) Learn About the Jewelry Before Investing
The internet is filled with information on almost any jewelry topic. Read and keep reading.
There is so much to learn about each jewelry topic. Of course, you will want to ensure that you’re only reading information from reliable sources that was written by jewelry experts.
Before you start your journey, we strongly recommend giving our jewelry blog a read. We have over 300 well-researched jewelry educational articles, and we continue to add more articles each month.
B) Never Rush Your Jewelry Investment
Yes, it’s easy to get emotionally involved and lose sight of the critical features to look for. Jewelry is beautiful, and many pieces have lovely stories (that might drive up the price), but don’t let your emotions rush you into buying if you’re buying purely as an investment.
The rule for jewelry investing is to take your time and never rush. Always ensure that you’ve determined that the jewelry is precisely what you think it is, comes from a reputable dealer, has verifying paperwork, and has a proper return policy. And a proper return-policy of at least two-weeks should be an absolute deal breaker.
Unless your jewelry item ticks all the right boxes, it’s best to step back and do due diligence to ensure you’re making an effective decision.
C) Secure Your Investment
Investment jewelry cannot be stored on your kitchen table. It should be stored in a bank safety deposit box or at least in a secure safe.
Also, if you plan on wearing the jewelry piece, ensure that it is securely connected to you and that all the stones are secure.
Additionally, you’ll want to be protected if something goes wrong. This directly leads to the next tip on our list: Insurance!
D) Jewelry Insurance for Investments
Jewelry insurance is a critical step for almost all jewelry investors. Most insurance companies will be more than happy to offer you a policy against theft and damage. And thankfully, in most scenarios, jewelry insurance isn’t too expensive.
That being said, you may need to shop around a little in order to find the prefect insurance that will cover your exact jewelry insurance requirements.
E) Find an Expert Jeweler
Unless, you’re already a jewelry expert, finding the right jeweler to assist you along the process may be one of the toughest parts of investing in jewelry.
Although there are no exact rules and there is no way to make certain of anything, there are certain factors that usually mitigate risk when picking a trustworthy jeweler to work with.
- Good Reviews. A trustworthy jeweler should have a stellar online record. Type their name and company and do some research. See what their previous customers have to say. Watch for mentions or shoutouts on high-profile websites. A genuine jeweler will have a solid reputation.
- Transparency. A reputable jeweler doesn’t try to force you to buy based on emotion or personal guarantees. Instead, he or she presents you with hard evidence regarding a ring, necklace, or loose stone. And all this is supported by documents, certificates, and market data.
- Services. A trustworthy jeweler will offer many additional services. They will usually provide yearly cleaning and tightness inspections for free or for a minimal fee. The jeweler will usually also offer secure, insured shipping for your items.
But the biggest perk is that a trustworthy jeweler builds a long-standing relationship with you. The company becomes the go-to place whenever you want to invest without having to keep looking over your shoulder.
If you would like to develop a relationship with us (Michael, Afshin and Benjamin), please message us in the form below.
Important Disclosure
The content on this page is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered official investment advice.
No Guarantees: While we draw on 40 years of experience in the jewelry industry, jewelry markets are speculative and values can fluctuate. Past performance is not indicative of future results. We make no guarantees that any item mentioned will appreciate in value. Risk of Loss: Investing in jewelry involves a high degree of risk, including the possible loss of principal. We do not assume any liability for financial losses incurred by readers. Not a Fiduciary: We are not licensed investment advisors, brokers, or tax professionals. This article does not take into account your personal financial situation. Always perform your own due diligence and consult with a licensed financial professional before making significant purchases.
Additionally, we recommend consulting with an independent financial advisor before making any investment decisions. We do not assume any liability for the accuracy or applicability of the information presented herein, and readers should exercise their own judgment and discretion when considering any investment strategies.
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