Zakat on Diamonds, Pearls and Gemstones

Short answer: Zakat is not due on diamonds, pearls, rubies, or other gemstones themselves, whether set in jewelry or not. Zakat is only obligatory on gold and silver (including their jewelry) if they reach the nisab, as explicitly mentioned in the sahih ahadith. Gemstones are not gold or silver, and no nisab or zakat rate is prescribed for them in the Qur'an or authentic sunnah. Details: The evidence shows that zakat is specifically commanded for gold and silver (Sahih Muslim 987a warns of punishment for those who hoard gold and silver without paying zakat). The nisab for silver is 5 uqiyas (Sahih al-Bukhari 1405). The Prophet ﷺ encouraged women to give charity even from their ornaments (Sahih al-Bukhari 1466), but this is a general exhortation to charity, not a requirement of zakat on the ornaments themselves. No authentic hadith mentions any zakat obligation on gems, pearls, or precious stones. Therefore, if your jewelry contains gold or silver, you must pay zakat on that metal (if it reaches the nisab and is held for a lunar year), but the value of attached gemstones is excluded. If the jewelry is entirely made of non-gold/silver materials (e.g., all gemstones with base metal), no zakat is due. Evidence: 1. Sahih al-Bukhari 1466: The Prophet ﷺ said, "O women! Give alms even from your ornaments." This encourages voluntary charity but does not impose obligatory zakat on the ornaments themselves. 2. Sahih al-Bukhari 1405: "No Zakat is due on property mounting to less than five Uqiyas (of silver)" – showing zakat is tied to silver (and gold by analogy), not to all valuables. 3. Sahih Muslim 987a: "If any owner of gold or silver does not pay what is due on him..." – zakat is specifically on gold and silver, not on other minerals. This is the position of the majority of Ahl al-Hadith scholars, including Ibn Baz and al-Uthaymin. Some scholars (e.g., Hanafis) consider gemstones as trade goods subject to zakat if purchased for sale, but this is not supported by the explicit texts. We advise consulting a learned scholar if your situation involves gemstones held for trade or as an investment.