Is it possible to remove gems?

[Wutzgood]

If a gem is socketed into an item can it be removed and a different gem be used instead?

[Limsi]

You can replace a gem with another one but you cannot just remove a gem without adding a replacement.

[Wutzgood]

So there isn't a way to clean an equip of gems. I thought so.

Note to anyone selling old discontinued equips: as a collector I want clean stuff for my collection. Putting gems into old discontinued armors or weapons is lowering their value until there is a way to remove them. These items are for show and stats don't matter on these. To keep maximum value on these old items please refrain from upgrading them.

Its like taking an antique and cleaning it up and replacing old parts. Never a good idea.