Jewellery Valuations & Insurance Services

Jewellery Valuations

The importance of jewellery valuations for insurance replacement is only really evident should the fateful day arise whereby you need to make a claim against a loss.

Our valuer, who is a trained gemmologist,  provides our jewellery valuations services. We will book in your jewellery for appraisal, and once completed you will receive a full written valuation for each item including a colour photograph. We are also able to value a wide range of other items such as watches and antiques.

Jewellery for valuation may be left at any time. We carry out the valuations on a weekly basis. The items will then be ready for collection within one week, with the paperwork following on very soon afterwards.  Goods are described and valued on the premises, and insured under our policy whilst in our care.  It would be helpful if we could have sight of a previous valuation.

To differentiate between costly natural gemstones dug from the earth and their inexpensive synthetic or imitation counterparts made in a factory, a vast amount of experience is required. Not only does it require a battery of scientific instruments, but also the skill and knowledge to interpret the information obtained from them – we have these tools, knowledge and experience:

Identification- The testing of precious metals, platinum, gold and silver etc., is a highly skilled operation.  There are many precious alloys and plated materials on the market to trap the inexperienced valuer.

Value- To calculate replacement values, the valuer needs qualifications and years of experience.  To value antiques, recent experience of buying and selling them is essential.  We sometimes obtain a second opinion, but we will not accept anything we do not feel competent to value.

The Schedule- Each item is fully described with sufficient accurate detail for ownership to be proved, and for replacements to be supplied should they be lost.  Basic descriptions such as “Solitaire Diamond Ring  -  £500.00” are not acceptable

Fees:

These are payable on collection of goods.  V.A.T. is included.

For INSURANCE REPLACEMENT, PRIVATE SALE or DIVISION:
£40.00 (for each and every 10 items) + 1.5%  of the total value of the items.

For PROBATE:
£50.00 fee for up to 20 items, £85 fee for 21 items and over.

Our valuer is both FGA and DGA qualified (a qualified gemmologist), this means that your are able to leave your items in expert hands, and you are assured that you get an exact appraisal of your items.

Lost or Stolen Letter Service

We are affiliated to LMG (Loss Management Group) and most of the major insurance companies. Simply inform your insurers that you would like to deal with W. E. Clark & Son. We are able to accept Gem-cheques, in either our Lewes or Eastbourne showroom.

Please remember that you pay your insurance premiums, and it is your decision as to where you replace your lost or stolen items. Many insurers will direct you towards a high street chain, and in many occasions you will not receive a like for like replacement.

Lost or stolen letter fee: £40.00, which is refundable if the item is replaced with W.E. Clark & Son.