Why do you need valuations?
In the event of loss, you must prove that you owned watch or jewellery items you are making a claim for.
Valuations establish that you owned the pieces at the time of the valuation and their correct replacement value for insurance purposes. Many insurers do not ask for valuations below an agreed value but our advice is to obtain valuations for all significant items. Without a valuation, insurers often use claims management specialists to try to find the value of jewellery after it has gone - an unsatisfactory process known as a post-loss valuation. Valuing something after you have lost it often results in an under-assessment of the lost item’s true value.
Jewellery valuations require expertise and discipline to ensure that descriptions are precise, identifications correct and measurements accurate in order to calculate a true value for your piece. If the only description you have of your jewellery is that it was "a 3 stone diamond ring, purchase price £750", you may not know whether the quality of the replacement ring offered by insurers is similar.
A professional valuation will provide an accurate description of each item and a measure of its quality in terms of the type of precious metal, the size, colour and clarity of any diamonds, and a description of other stones, alongside a photograph of the item and an up to date replacement cost. Such a valuation is a powerful protection against inadequate replacement.
Our in-house valuers
The Institute of Registered Valuers (IRV) is the UK's leading association of jewellery valuers and ensure that valuations undertaken by its members are of the highest standard.
To become an IRV Member the valuer must take a Professional Jewellers' Valuation Diploma (PJValDip) or the Certificate of Appraisal Theory (CAT) exams as well as having a minimum of 5 years’ experience in the jewellery trade/industry. As well as this, they must have a practical gemmological qualification, a diamond grading certificate. To continue to practice, members have their work monitored regularly and submit samples of their work to be inspected and approved by the institute on a regular basis.
We are fortunate to have two fellows of IRV in our Gold Street showroom who undertake all our valuations onsite. Both passed their latest monitoring with flying colours – achieving the title of Fellow to add to their achievements.
To ensure that we provide an accurate, detailed and precise service you will need to leave your items with us so we are able to thoroughly research and calculate fair and true values. We also take detailed photos of the items for your records. All of these details are collected into a professional document for you and a PDF version can also be created for you to send to your insurer.
We offer a number of valuation services including valuation for insurance, sales between parties and probate valuations. We value jewellery, antique jewellery, heirlooms, watches, pocket watches, clocks, loose stones, silverware, engagement rings and much more.
Jewellery & Watch Valuation Pricing
There are various ways valuation fees are calculated, these can include charging a percentage of the items assessed value or a flat rate per item. We have a fixed pricing system which allows you to calculate the final cost of the valuation before you leave the goods:
For Insurance, and Sales Between Parties
Item | Price (Inc VAT) |
---|---|
Document, photographs and set-up | £100 |
Plus... | |
Gem-set jewellery item | £70 |
Gold and silver jewellery item | £45 |
Vintage watch | POA |
Watch without movement inspection | £70 |
Watch, luxury brand & movement verification - including authentication | £100 |
Vintage luxury brand and exceptional item of jewellery* | POA |
Re-valuation, if valued by us in last twelve years (per item) | £40 |
Gold and silver per item | £20 |
For Probate
Item | Price (Inc VAT) |
---|---|
Document and set-up | £100 |
Plus... | |
Gem-set jewellery item or watch | £70 |
Simple gold item | £25 |
Exceptional item | POA |
Watch Authentication
Including documentation and movement verification £130
(does not include a valuation)
Once your items have been valued it may be time to look into getting them insured, this can be done on your household contents insurance or under a separate insurance policy. If you have many valuables, it may be worth using watch and jewellery insurance specialists, such as TH March - Referral code AJ016T.