Jewellery valuations

Jewellery valuations should only be carried out by a qualified registered and experienced valuer.

As a certified member of the Association of Jewellery Appraisers and a National Association of Goldsmiths Registered Valuer you can be assured of a professional detailed and accurate valuation.

I undertake the valuation on a laptop which enables me to create a text document with digital images.  Producing two copies, one for the client the other for the insurer and a CD of the valuation. For the purpose of added security all valuations, images and client details are then deleted from my system.

When examining an item, as a qualified gemmologist, I test all gemstones and make notes of any treatments, inclusions, damage etc.  I test all component metals, checking hallmarks where present, and note method of construction, for example hand made, cast, assembled casting.

The format of the valuation includes a narrative description of the item, for example:

RING: Solitaire diamond 18ct yellow gold ring. The modern brilliant cut diamond four claw set flanked by six baguette cut diamonds to tapering chenier tube shoulders and court shank.

Followed by specific data:

Principal diamond assessed mounted as:

Dimensions: 6.52 x 6.53 x 3.98mm

Weight: 1.03 cts.

Colour: G/H

Clarity: VS

The baguette diamonds assessed mounted as:

Dimensions: 2.5 x1.5mm

Total weight: 0.30 cts.

Colour: H/I

Clarity: VS

Inside of shank stamped '18K 750'

Electronically tested to approximately 18ct gold.

 I then make note in the valuation schedule of any unique marks, for example scribed jewellers stock numbers, plotting of diamond inclusions. This helps in the identification of the item should it be lost and recovered.

The item is then weighed and the gross weight is noted in the schedule.

The value is then calculated depending on the market and valuation type.