Frequently asked questions
How much do you charge for a valuation?
What is the cost of our Jewellery Valuation for Insurance?
Our valuation fees are generally charged per item and start from £125.00 for a single/first item and a decreased per item fee for any subsequent item(s). We provide a straight forward pricing format. There are no document fees or percentage based charges and no hidden charges after completion of fees request. Contact us to enquire.
What is the cost of a valuation for Probate?
Depending on complexity of the items this service is charged at a similar rate to Insurance with a per item structure. Occasionally some lower value items may be grouped together to show they have been assessed for inheritance purposes and grouped items are charged as a single item.
Division of Assets | Divorce/Family division and Post-loss assessments generally have a per item fee structure. Please contact us for more information.
These charges are for standard item(s) of jewellery or watches. Occasionally some items may require certification or specialist additional research and if so an estimate/quotation may need to be given prior to booking.
If you have an enquiry for open market or sale purposes we recommend you provide details of the item(s) and any information so we can advise if documentation is required as we could recommend an advisory service with any initial advice being free of charge.
How long does a valuation take?
Depending on the complexity we will be able to advise how long the assessments could take.
For items with single stones or wedding rings or bracelets, chains and necklaces of plain precious metal (Silver, Gold or Platinum) we would generally estimate between 20-30 minutes for the first item with additional items being assessed 15-20 minutes per item there after. More detailed item(s) such as muliple gemstone settings and antique and more specialist item(s) will take more time and research and therefore a timescale will be estimated and an additional fee may be quoted.
Why should I use a Registered Valuer?
Anyone can produce a valuation, although the standard of accuracy and authenticity of the document comes into play in the unfortunate case of a loss or claim. Experience, knowledge, the keeping up to date and the vitae of the valuer being well recognised by insurers and a number of other parties in the trade are all extremely important to the validity of a valuation. Valuations is our business. The Service we offer is professional and accredited and not just a part-time opinion.
As an Fellow of the Institute of Registered Valuers (IRV) we are regulated by the National Association of Jewellers (NAJ) and some insurance companies refer to this as NAJ valuers. We are knowledgeable, reliable and from a well trusted community of well respected valuers. All IRVs abide by the NAJ's Principle of best practice for valuers. We are regularly monitored and undertake a professional review every five years to check and assist in maintaining high standards of practice. The strict criteria required to qualify for the status of Fellow of the Institute is the achievement of an A grade in the professional review process (carried out every five years) and maintaining ongoing Continuing Professional Development (CPD). In addition I am a Fellow of the Jewellery Valuers Association (JVA) who also have a similar structure to maintain the standards of their members.
What will my valuation include?
Please go to example portfolio to view a generic valuation document.
Your valuation report will include the following:
- A Comprehensive valuation report as a printed copy or pdf (portable document format).
- A Letter of Transmittal.
- Detailed descriptions including measurements, stone descriptions and assessments, weights.
- Quality photographs and images of your item(s).
- Condition noted where necessary.
- Notes explaining abbreviations and terms
- Summary of the schedule.
- Free registration to the secure confidential e-register database ensuring the items are properly protected in the event of a loss or theft.
- All completed by a Fellow of the Institute of Registered Valuers and Fellow of the Jewellery Valuers Association, signed with FIRV & FJVA logo's and further qualifications noted on the schedule.
Do I need to present paperwork for you item(s) to be valued?
Yes, any previous certificates, assessments, previous valuations, authenticity reports or provenance of your items must be presented before the valuers assessment. Paperwork and service history can improve a value and help assist, authenticate, provide evidence to save time and investigation into validating a claim. Some previous valuations may include important information and need to be added to your updated reports to add consistency.
Does my jewellery need to be clean for valuation?
Absolutely, who does not want their item(s) looking radiant! Arranging a valuation can also be a great opportunity for your item to be cleaned professionally, whether UV cleaning, ultrasonic tank or professional polishing by your jewellery prior to our meeting. It is important for item(s) to be clean and free from any debris that may influence the assessment of the jewellery. This will also help to assess and document the true condition of some items and repairs can be advised accordingly. Many insurance companies insist that the setting and condition of items are noted on the valuation schedule.
How often should I have my jewellery valuations updated or re-valued?
How can item(s) have different values?
We recommend items are revalued every 3-5 years or if anything relavent changes in the market. Dependent on value, the higher value items should be valued more frequently than the lesser valued. We also offer preferential rates for any of our previous clients of TW Valuations.
Values will differ for items dependent on the purpose you require your valuation.
If you require a valuation for Insurance replacement you will need an updated full replacement similar to a retail figure for use in the unfortunate loss or claim including VAT for modern items.
If you require a valuation for the sale of an item the condition, desirability of the item is taken into account.
Item(s) requiring probate valuations will need an immediate sale value or best price based on historical rates such as metal prices and currency.
This is a selection of just some of the Jewellery and watches we undertake for valuation.....
We undertake a wide range of Jewellery and Watch item valuations including Antique and Modern Jewellery & watches, diamond & gemstone jewellery, engagement rings, collectable watches | Diamond set jewellery | fancy coloured diamonds | Asian jewellery collections | precious metal collectable coins | chains | bracelets | earrings | necklaces |
Which areas do you cover?
We are able to arrange home visits in London | Essex | Hertfordshire | Cambridgeshire | Suffolk | Norfolk | Middlesex | Bedfordshire | Kent | Sussex | Surrey | Oxfordshire | Northamptonshire | Berkshire | Peterborough | Hampshire | Stamford | Buckinghamshire
Postcode areas include
Greater London N E SE W SW EC WC NW BR CR DA EN HA IG KT NW RM SE SM TW UB WD
South East of England CM SG SS HA AL BN CT GU HP LU ME MK OX RG RH SL SS TN
East of England CO CB PE NR IP
Barnet | Barking | Dagenham | Bexley | Brent | Bromley | Camden | Hatton Garden | Holborn | Croydon | Ealing | Greenwich | Hackney | Haringey | Havering | Hammersmith and Fulham | Hillingdon | Hounslow | Islington | Kensington and Chelsea | Kingston-upon-Thames | Lambeth | Lewisham | Merton | Newham | Redbridge | Southwark | Sutton | Tower Hamlets | Waltham Forest | Chingford | Walthamstow | Wandsworth | Westminster | Norwich | Long Stratton | Great Yarmouth | Dereham | King's Lynn | Ipswich | Sudbury | Stowmarket | Bury St Edmunds | Newmarket | Brandon | Halesworth | Oxford | Bermondsey | Greenwich | Braintree | Brentwood | Ingatestone | Harlow | Epping | Loughton | Theydon Bois | Colchester | Broxbourne | Cheshunt | Waltham Cross | Hoddesdon | Waltham Abbey | Bishop's Stortford | Stansted | Basildon | Chelmsford | Canvey Island | Benfleet | Hadleigh | Rayleigh | Maldon | Burnham-on-Crouch | Saffron Walden | Harwich | Frinton-on-Sea | Leigh-on-Sea | Clacton-on-Sea | Walton-on-the-Naze | Rochford | St Albans | Harpenden | Harrow | Barnet | Enfield | Bushey | Elstree | Borehamwood | Radlett | Potters Bar | Stevenage | Welwyn Hatfield | Letchworth Garden City | Hemel Hempstead | Berkhamsted | Kings Langley | Tring | Huntingdonshire | Huntingdon | Godmanchester | St Ives | St Neots | Dunmow | Thaxted | Ramsey | Fenland | Cambridge | Ely | Wisbech | Luton | Hertford | Bedford | Southend-on-Sea | Thurrock | Watford | Woodford | Ilford | Chigwell | Newbury | Reading | Wokingham | Bracknell | Ascot | Sandhurst | Windsor | Maidenhead | Slough | Milton Keynes | Hastings | Lewes | Bexhill-on-Sea | Hailsham | Eastbourne | Brighton | Hove | Worthing | Winchester | Fareham | Aldershot | Farnborough | Eastleigh | Basingstoke | Dartford | Gravesend | Sevenoaks | Tonbridge | Malling | Royal Tunbridge Wells | Maidstone | Medway | Gillingham | Canterbury | Ashford | Sittingbourne | Folkestone | Deal | Dover | Sandwich | Thanet | Cherwell | Milton | Woodstock | Burford | Chipping Norton | Charlbury | Carterton | Whitney | Spelthorne | Sunbury-on-Thames | Staines-upon-Thames | Sherpperton | Stanwell | Laleham | Runnymede | Addlestone | Egham | Thorpe | High Wycombe | Surrey Heath | Woking | Elmbridge | Esher | Cobham | Walton-on-Thames | Weybridge | Molesey | Richmond-upon-Thames | Waverley | Godalming | Farnham | Haslemere | Cranleigh | Epsom | Ewell | Reigate | Banstead | Redhill | Horley | Crawley | Tandridge | Weald | Warlingham | Caterham | Oxted | Godstone | Lingfield | Bromley | Croydon | Horsham | East Grinstead | Haywards Heath | Burgess Hill | Ditchling | Shoreham-by-Sea | New Malden |
Missed an area? please contact us for us to find out if we can help.