Jewellery Valuations

Jewellery Valuations, Explained

The word "valuation" hides an important detail: the same ring, watch, or necklace can be worth three quite different amounts depending on why you are valuing it. Before you do anything else, it helps to know which kind of valuation you actually need — because using the wrong figure is one of the most common and costly mistakes people make with their jewellery.

There are three kinds, and they are not interchangeable:

• Resale (market) valuation — what your piece would realistically sell for today. This is the figure that matters when you are thinking of selling.
• Insurance (replacement) valuation — what it would cost to replace the item new at full retail. This is usually the highest of the three and is what your insurer needs.
• Probate (date-of-death) valuation — the open-market value as at the date someone died, which is what HMRC requires for inheritance tax.

Our insurance valuation versus resale value guide unpacks the difference between the first two in detail, and our home visit valuation guide explains what to expect on the day.

Which Valuation Is Right for You?

If you are thinking of selling, you want a resale valuation — and from there, the right place to go depends on what you have. We value and buy gold, silver, watches, gemstones, antiques, and more, each through a dedicated service below. If you are insuring, you need a replacement valuation; we can point you in the right direction for that. And if you are an executor, you need our probate jewellery valuation, which is set up specifically for inheritance-tax purposes.

It is worth being clear on cost from the outset, because the three are not the same. A resale valuation, and the home visit that comes with it, is always free and without obligation — there is no charge whether you go on to sell or not. Insurance and probate valuations, by contrast, are formal written valuations and are charged: the fee depends on the number of items to be valued and the time it takes to assess and document them, and we confirm it with you upfront. The links below take you to the service that matches what you have, and to the guides that explain how each kind of item is assessed.

How Resale Valuations Work

When you are selling, value comes down to the materials and, for branded or antique pieces, their wider appeal. Gold and silver are valued on weight and purity against the live spot price; diamonds on the four Cs; watches on brand, model, and condition; and antiques on age, craftsmanship, and provenance. Our valuer tests and assesses each piece in front of you and explains exactly how the figure is reached — our guide on how we calculate a cash offer walks through the process step by step. You receive a clear, written breakdown, and there is never any pressure to accept.

Free Home Visits Across the South Coast

Rather than carrying valuables into town or posting them away, you have an expert valuer come to you. Our enhanced DBS-checked, fully insured team covers Dorset, Hampshire, and the wider South Coast, assesses everything in the comfort of your home, and — if you choose to sell — pays the same day. To arrange a free, no-obligation valuation, or simply to ask which kind you need, get in touch.