X Items in my bag 0
    0 £0.00
    Menu x

    Jewellery Valuation, Everything You Need To Know

    Whether you're wanting to protect the jewellery you own, sell your jewellery or need to value an estate, here at Hatton Jewels we are able to help you find the valuation that is right for you.

    Whether it’s your new engagement ring, diamond insurance, a family heirloom or just your collection of jewellery over the years, your jewellery is precious, so it’s important to make sure it’s properly valued.

    Our Jewellery Valuation Top Ten Tips are….

    1. Establish the purpose of the valuation

    Insurance, probate, division of assets or to sell. Each valuation has a different purpose and will provide you with a different value. If you are unsure, an experienced jeweller will be able to advise on which meets your requirements.

    2. Check your policy 

    Depending on your individual policy, some items will be automatically covered under the general contents insurance, often up to around £1500. If a single item of jewellery is below this threshold, you may not need to get the piece itemised on your insurance. Also check your policy protects you against accidental damage to your jewellery. If you have many valuables it may be worth using jewellery insurance specialists, such as TH March as they specialise in jewellery.

    3. Expertise is important, ensure they are IRV registered

    Your jewellery valuation is a legally binding document for your most treasured possessions, so it should include a detailed description of the item, along with a photograph of your piece of jewellery and an accurate value. To ensure the valuation is as accurate as possible, make sure you take along any documentation that relates to the jewellery, such as Diamond Certificates so the details can be included on the valuation. 

    As experts in jewellery, the company you choose should have access to a variety of testing equipment for gemmological identification of stones and equipment to screen for lab-grown synthetic Diamonds. The company should also be experienced in examining the item to check there aren’t any recommended repair works required to ensure the piece will be fit to wear and enjoy. 

    Valuers that belong to associations such as the Institute of Registered Valuers and Academy of Experts will be required to keep up to date on all the latest training and gemmological testing methods, so is usually recommended by insurance companies to look out for these accreditations. In-house valuers are also worth looking out for, as they will not have to send any items away and typically have a faster turnaround. 

    4. Just want to know how much your item is worth?

    Are you simply looking for a diamond ring valuation? This is a question we get asked a lot and unfortunately the answer is not straight forward. There are many types of valuations, each of which would ascribe the same item a very different value. How much you would get if you were looking to sell an item, is very different for how much you would need to insure the same ring for or how much it would need to be declared for probate. It’s important to ask yourself what you are looking to achieve from finding out the value. This can help a professional guide you to the most suitable service. 

    5. Cutting costs can cost money

    The years of experience, qualifications, expertise and professional equipment required to be able to accurately assess and value an item will be reflected in the price of a jeweller’s valuation service. When you are insuring valuable and often sentimental jewellery, you do not want any discrepancies in the assessments made in the valuation to come to light after something has happened to an item, as this can void your insurance.

    6. Be prepared to leave your item 

    It may be heart-wrenching to leave your much beloved item with a jeweller, but to take all the necessary assessments and test all the components, it takes time and will need to be done in controlled laboratory-style conditions to make sure it is accurate. Here at Hatton Jewels, your item is fully-insured with us for the duration of the time it is on our premises.  

    7. Keep valuation updated

     To keep your policy valid, it’s important to make sure it’s up to date. Due to how much the market fluctuates, some insurers may specify how often they require jewellery to be re-valued. It’s generally recommended every 2-3 years. Some companies will provide you with a discounted re-valuation service if they have valued the same item in the past three years, so it is always worth asking.

    8. Get your jewellery checked regularly 

    It’s not just about jewellery being stolen or lost, sometimes jewellery gets damaged. It’s good to get in the habit of getting your jewellery checked, such as the settings, to make sure everything is secure. If you have a particularly valuable piece, it may be stipulated in your policy how often you need to get the jewellery checked by a professional. Insurance companies may also specify for high-value items that the check of the security of the setting and condition of an item of jewellery is documented in a letter by a member of the Institute of Registered Valuers for the insurance to be valid. It’s also great for your own peace of mind! 

     9. Beware of online insurance valuation services

    There has been a recent increase in jewellery valuations completely solely online by photographs, which then produce valuations far from the required standard, mis-identifying gemstones and ascribing the wrong values. Grading is always a requirement for establishing correct values, which is done using a minimum of 10x magnification, so cannot under any circumstance be done through a photograph, however good the photograph may be. Items and gemstones can also not be measured, verified, or laser inscriptions confirmed, potentially resulting in you either paying unnecessary large insurance premiums on an item or not being covered should anything happen to the item, so due to the wild inaccuracy of these valuations, they are no longer accepted by a vast number of insurance companies. 

    10. Use a company you trust 

    Always check company reviews and which professional associations they belong to. We understand jewellery is sentimental, so it is important you feel comfortable that they would care for your jewellery and provide you with a great service. 

     

    Article isn't rated yet.
    Book an Appointment
    Please complete the below form and we will get back to you within 24 hours (Excluding weekends)
    I agreed to the Terms & Conditions
    This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

    Visit Us

    Hatton Jewels,
    5 Hatton Place,
    London,
    EC1N 8RU
    Opening Hours
    Monday to Friday 9:30am to 5:30pm
    We are open by appointment only:
    Evening and early morning appointments available upon request.
    x
    Terms and conditions of sale for Hatton Jewels

    These terms and conditions relate to the use of Hattonjewels.com website and any purchase from Hatton Jewels Ltd, Registration Number: 06241877, and whose Registered Office Address is 57-59 Queens Road, Buckhurst Hill, Essex, IG9 5BU

    Ordering

    All orders for Goods shall be deemed to be an offer by the Buyer to purchase Goods pursuant to these Terms and Conditions and are subject to acceptance by Hatton Jewels Ltd. Hatton Jewels may choose not to accept an order for any reason.

    When the item you wish to purchase is not available from stock you will be notified and given the option to either wait until the Goods are available from stock or cancel the order and receive a full refund within 30 days.

    Bespoke Items

    Items that are manufactured from our Build Your Own Rings range are not eligible for a full refund however a life time credit note will be issued for the full value of the item. If the item you received was a special order for a non-standard ring size* or if you ordered a Bespoke Item made to order, we regret that it can only be able to return it to us if it is faulty, as it will have been specially made and cannot be resold. *Standard Rings Sizes - Ladies I - O, Gents L - V

    Cancellation & Return

    We are confident you will be delighted with your Hatton Jewels purchase.

    However, you do have the option of returning items to us within 30 days of receipt for a full refund or exchange if you decide that the item is not right for you or the goods are faulty. We regret that we cannot offer refunds or exchanges on goods that have been worn, damaged or have had any alterations by a third party. Returned items can only be accepted if they are:

  • In the same condition they were received
  • With all original paperwork and documents
  • In the original packaging
  • Via the returns procedure detailed below
  • Failure to do so will result in the item being returned to you. Please complete the following procedure should you decide to make a return.
  • Call us on 0203 116 0069 or e-mail info@hattonjewels.com within 30 days from the receipt of your purchase. We will give you a unique authorisation code which you must write on the original invoice which you need to include in the package.

    Address your package to Hatton J Ltd, 5 Hatton Place, London, EC1N 8RU. For security reasons please do not write ‘Jewels’ anywhere on the outside of the package.

    Post the parcel using the Special Delivery service available at the post office. We recommend that you obtain proof of posting. We cannot be held responsible for any items that are lost in transit.

    Once your package has been received by Hatton Jewels Ltd it will be assessed to verify that the item has been returned in the original condition. Once verified a full refund or exchange will then be issued.

    Delivery

    Every effort is made to deliver your purchase as swiftly as possible. You will be sent a confirmation of delivery date at the time your order is confirmed.

    For items that are in stock we aim to deliver to you within 5-7 days. If we cannot deliver within the agreed time we will notify you immediately and with your agreement arrange an alternative date. Items listed under 'Express Delivery' are items which are currently in stock and can be delivered within 5-7 days. Depending on the rate at which the payment clears, we might be able to deliver it to you sooner.

    All items dispatched are fully covered by insurance whilst in transit, and must be signed for on delivery. At this point they become the property of the purchaser and our insurance no longer applies. Please be satisfied that the parcel has in no way been tampered with in transit before accepting delivery.

    Hatton Jewels Ltd shall not be liable for any delay or failure to perform any of its obligations or promises if the delay or failure results from events or circumstances outside its reasonable control.

    Information on our website

    Whilst we make every attempt to ensure that our online catalogue is as accurate as possible errors can occur. Prices are subject to change without notice and will be confirmed upon receipt of your order. We may alter images for presentation purposes. Colour and size may vary slightly due to different monitors.

    If a product is not in stock and we are able to replicate it, this does not apply to antique pieces, Hatton Jewels guarantee the carat weight listed on the product as minimum and guarantee the same quality of gemstone, metal and workmanship for the order placed.

    Lifetime Warranty

    All Hatton Jewels handmade pieces come complete with a lifetime manufacturer’s warranty that covers any manufacturing defects and any necessary repair will be conducted free of charge under the following terms and conditions:

  • The item is identified by our production department as being defective as a result of a manufacturing default.
  • The item has not had any damage as a result of mishandling or Inappropriate impact (eg. knocks, dents or pressure), and has had no alteration, manipulation, repair or care by a service provider apart from ourselves or is the consequence of normal wear and tear.
  • Proof of purchase must be presented.
  • This does not apply on antique pieces or signed jewellery.
  • In order to ensure all stones are secure within your piece we advise having your piece checked by a jeweller at regular intervals.

    If purchased from ourselves even if not covered by guarantee we endeavour to resolve at the lowest price possible

    Repairs and Alterations

    All repairs on jewellery that has not been purchased through Hatton Jewels are completed at the customer’s risk. We will guarantee the specific work we complete for 1 year.

    Complaints

    If you have a complaint or concern please contact:

    Hatton Jewels Ltd

    5 Hatton Place
    London
    EC1N 8RU
    Tel: 0203 116 0069
    e-mail : info@hattonjewels.com