How to Tell If Your Jewelry Can Be Recycled

May 5, 2025

You probably have a box, bowl, or drawer full of old jewelry — some pieces you love, some you’ve forgotten, and others you’re not even sure what they’re made of. If you’ve ever wondered “Can this be recycled?”, you’re not alone.

The good news? Most jewelry can be recycled, especially through a trusted mail-in program like Redyoos, proudly based in Seattle. You don’t have to guess or do anything complicated — here’s how to tell what’s recyclable and how to take action right from home.

Why It Matters

Every ring, chain, and earring contains materials that came from somewhere — often deep within the earth. When we keep those metals in circulation instead of mining for new ones, we protect ecosystems, save energy, and reduce waste.

Recycling jewelry is one of the easiest ways to make your wardrobe (and your home) more sustainable. And here in Seattle where sustainability is part of daily life more people are choosing to recycle their jewelry instead of letting it sit unused.

Step 1 — Check What It’s Made Of

You don’t need a lab or special tools. Start with the basics:

Precious Metals: Gold, silver, platinum, and palladium can all be recycled and refined. Even broken or tarnished pieces still hold value.
Sterling Silver: Look for “925” or “Sterling” stamps. Those numbers mean your piece is 92.5% pure silver — perfect for recycling.
Gold Jewelry: Stamps like “10k,” “14k,” “18k,” or “24k” indicate gold purity. All are recyclable.
Mixed Metals or Costume Jewelry: Even if it’s not pure metal, Redyoos still accepts it. We separate recyclable materials from what can be reused or repurposed.

If you’re unsure, that’s okay — our recycling partners identify and process each piece carefully, so you don’t have to.

Step 2 — Check the Condition (Hint: It Doesn’t Matter)

A missing earring? A snapped chain? A tarnished bracelet? No problem.

Jewelry doesn’t have to be wearable to be recyclable. In fact, damaged pieces are some of the best candidates for recycling because their materials can go right back into circulation without any waste.

Step 3 — Separate, But Don’t Stress

If you want, you can group your pieces into simple categories:

Gold-tone / Silver-tone
Real metal vs costume
Pieces with stones or gems

But if that feels like too much work — skip it! Redyoos does the sorting for you. All you need to do is request your free mail-in kit, place your items inside, and drop it in the mailbox.

Step 4 — Request a Free Redyoos Mail-In Kit

Whether you’re in Queen Anne, Capitol Hill, or right here in Phinney Ridge, you can recycle your jewelry without leaving home.

Visit Redyoos.com
Request your free mail-in kit — it arrives in just a few days.
Fill it with any jewelry you no longer wear.
Drop it in your mailbox.

That’s it. We’ll handle the rest, ensuring your materials are responsibly recycled or repurposed through certified partners.

What Happens Next

Once your pieces arrive, we evaluate, sort, and send them through our trusted recycling channels. Precious metals are refined and reused in new jewelry or green-tech applications. Other materials are safely processed to avoid landfill waste.

You’ll know your jewelry’s story doesn’t end — it simply transforms.

Seattle, Let’s Lead the Way

Seattle has always been ahead of the curve when it comes to sustainability — from composting to clean energy. Jewelry recycling is the next natural step. Together, we can keep thousands of pounds of metal out of landfills and turn forgotten pieces into something new.

It starts with one envelope.