Jewellery is something that everyone today has. Whether you purchase it, pass it on as an heirloom, or receive it as a gift, the value is always the same. These days, given the heavily fluctuating prices of the precious metals and gemstones, it becomes critical that you have a fair idea about the total worth of such assets that you own.
To know the real value of your valuable jewellery, the only legal way is to get the valuation done. In the UK, you can get a luxury asset’s valuation in several ways. Several ways include options like getting the valuation done by visiting a certified valuation agency with your valuables or maybe getting the valuation appointment booked right at your home. In addition to these two options, you also have the third option of getting the jewellery valuation done online, which allows you to complete the process without leaving your home or having anyone visit you.
People love to go for the offline one at times, but it is great if you go for the online one, as it’s convenient, private, and allows your pieces to be assessed without you feeling insecure about stepping out and carrying your valuables through the streets of the UK. But many people ask the same question beforehand: “What should I do to prepare?”
So, a simple answer to this question is: do not worry. The entire process initially might sound overwhelming, but it truly is not. All you need is a little preparation, and getting your homework done will help you in being ready with all the requirements, and you will easily be able to get the valuation done without much unnecessary effort.
Listed below are a few steps that will help you feel prepared and confident when planning to get the online valuation done.
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Gather All the Jewellery You Want Valued
First things first. The most important aspect of this process is the jewellery itself, as it is the reason you are seeking the valuation be it the simple valuation, probate jewellery valuation or any other reason. Gather all the jewellery that you plan to value. The jewellery you gather may consist of a single piece or various types, regardless of the precious metals involved.
Such items might include:
- Engagement and wedding rings
- Diamond earrings
- Gold chains and bracelets
- Antique brooches
- Luxury watches
- Inherited pieces
- Designer jewellery
Placing them all in one secure location will help you when getting the valuation done. Having everything ready and handy can help avoid unnecessary problems during critical times.
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Collect Any Paperwork You Have
When getting an online valuation done, paperwork is vital. To avoid last-minute hassle, keep all original documents handy so you can upload them as needed.
Gathering the documents listed below will help you tremendously:
- Original purchase receipts
- Previous valuation reports
- Diamond or gemstone certificates
- Service records (for watches)
- Original boxes or branded packaging
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Understand Why You Need the Valuation
When you plan to get the valuation done, always keep in mind that all valuations are not the same. There are various types of valuations such as jewellery falling in the category of antique valuations, insurance valuation or any other reason and the same piece of jewellery can have different values depending on the type of valuation conducted. So, having a clear idea about what kind of valuation you are seeking helps in ensuring that you opt for that specific valuation. Having an idea about the intended use of the valuation will help you choose the right kind.
Common reasons include:
- Insurance cover
- Updating an existing policy
- Estate planning
- Probate Jewellery Valuation
- Legal settlements
- Asset documentation
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Don’t Clean or Polish Excessively
Everyone wants to have jewellery that looks new and beautiful, but when getting the valuation done, even the polish on your jewellery matters a lot and might, in a few cases, degrade the value of your jewellery if the polish is excessive. Try to get the cleaning done, but do not go for too much, such as polishing or any other step that can damage the value of your jewellery.
- Aggressive polishing
- Harsh chemical cleaners
- DIY repairs
- Removing original patina from antique pieces
Summing Up
To sum up, these are a few preparatory steps that can help you stay ready for all the actions required during the valuation process. Apart from all these steps, make sure that you have high-resolution photographs of all your jewellery so that you can upload the best- quality images when required. The higher the quality of the photograph, the easier it is for the appraiser to analyse the jewellery and get the most accurate valuation.
