I have been working hard over the last decade to achieve gemmological and valuation qualifications. 

David Clark, Managing Director, is now a Jewellery Valuers Association (JVA) Registered Valuer®. This is a process that takes a lot of training, exams and qualifications to finally achieve this status. Over the past couple of years David has achieved the prestigious DGA Diamond Membership of GEM-A. All of this expertise takes many years to acquire. Valuations can be carried out for multiple purposes, it is important that the correct valuation is carried out.

The process of becoming a Registered Valuer requires and still requires a lot of commitment.

What made you want to become a gemmologist and valuer?

I started working in the jewellery trade in 1999. I trained at one of the finest independent family run jewellers in Staffordshire. The owner of the company, was a qualified gemmologist and a Registered Valuer. I was able to observe him using his knowledge to identify, and then value, items of jewellery and watches. It was then I knew that I would like to start my journey towards being able to do this as well.

How did you become a Gemmologist and Registered Valuer?

The start, as in any trade, is to truly know what you are doing and to become fully trained in that field. In the early 2000's I undertook my qualifications with the National Association of Jewellers (NAJ) and achieved my Professional Jewellers Diploma (PJDip) and then my Professional Jewellers Gemmology Diploma (PJGemDip). These qualifications gave my my grounding and foundations to take me forward in my passion.

 

David Clark appraising

 

What other gemmological qualifications did you undertake and achieve?

The next step, was to take more advanced courses which included commencing my studies with the Gemmological Association of Great Britain (GEM-A). In 2007 I was successful in achieving the Foundation in Gemmology. Then in 2009 next stage was to undertake my Diploma in Gemmology, in which I have successfully achieved the Practical Certificate.

In 2021 I was delighted to receive my Diamond Diploma (DGA) which is both the advanced theory and practical study of diamonds, including the grading of diamonds.

How did you become a Registered Valuer?

There are a number of mandatory requirements which must be met before even starting the final process to become a Registered Valuer. You must have at least 10 years trade experience in the jewellery trade to start with. Then there are the required gemmological qualifications, which I had been working hard on over many years as previously mentioned. There is another qualification which is specifically geared towards undertaking valuations, and the many processes involved. The course was provided by the National Association of Jewellers (NAJ) and it was the Certificate in Appraisal Theory (CAT). The CAT course was an intensive course, with an eventual exam, I was delighted to pass the course and exam.

Why is it important to be a Registered Valuer?

In theory anyone can carry out a Jewellery or Watch valuation, but should they? Simply, no. As you can see there is a lot of training that is required to be undertaken, and indeed trade experience. A valuation document, is a fully researched and considered produced by a professional in their field. The values ascribed in these valuation documents are used by people in vital scenarios including for replacing their lost or stolen items. The values might be used within official documents used for Inheritance Tax Purpose. It it for these reasons, that if a valuer is putting their name to such an important document, then they must ensure that the document is fully correct and compliant with all accepted standards.

If you have any question please contact David Clark, and he will be delighted to answer any questions you may have. Please see more here: https://www.weclarkandson.co.uk/services/jewellery-valuations

 

Yours sincerely

David Clark DGA MJVA PJDip. PJGemDip. CertGA.

Managing Director, JVA Registered Valuer®


W.E. Clark & Son

DGA - Diamond Diploma- The Gemmological Association of Great Britain
MJVA- Member of the Jewellery Valuers Association
PJDip - Professional Jewellers Diploma- The National Association of Jewellers
PJGemDip - Professional Jewellers Gemmological Diploma- The National Association of Jewellers
CertGA - Practical Certificate in Gemmological Examination- The Gemmological Association of Great Britain