How to Find a Jewellery Valuation Service Near Me?

Have you got your prized possession valued properly?  Probably your answer is no. Here you’ll learn about getting a proper jewellery valuation done along with who is qualified to value your jewellery, what a valuation report should contain, jewellery insurance.  Keep reading to protect your valuable jewellery items properly.

How to Choose Professional Experts?

Working in jewellery industry doesn’t make one a valuer, nor should valuation be treated as an absolute right that comes with the work. Valuation is a profession just as a lawyer, doctor or teacher where one must be tested and educated. 

A professional jewellery valuer will be highly qualified with significant experience & product knowledge. He/she must have passed prescribed examinations and courses in valuation and evaluation, business practices and principles, valuation standards, ethics & report writing. Such a professional will always keep-up with the changes and standards through continuous rigorous education. Membership held within a professional jewellery valuation service provider is a good sign of the valuers’ commitment to their clients.

However, do keep in mind that not all valuation providers are equal. Not all companies’ requisites are at par with the standards and levels that are all very much essential these days. You must first ask the valuer – how their designation is earned. Some valuation service providers give titles to just clear out their dues. 

Confirm their membership level within the organization & what made it possible for them to earn that level of membership. You must also ask how often they retest their level and what does testing involve. Some valuers just pass one test and never retest it again. This is not at all acceptable and organizations must retest their members at least every 5 years to ensure that they stay up to date and current in terms of changes in the profession.

Be Careful of the False Profits

If someone represents titles to you, then it’s up to you to find out how they were earned and what they mean. There are a number of individuals that regard themselves as “Certified” though they are not actually certified.  A basic degree is never enough, continuous education is required. Changes in the gemstone enhancements and synthesis are continuously increasing as are changes to computers. Hence without continuous education a jewellery valuation provider is more than likely less than informed about latest enhancements and synthesis, including the guidelines related to them.

How Will You Know if the Valuer is a Professional?

Instead of asking “How much do you charge”, you must ask the valuer about his/her qualification that makes him/her qualified to value your jewellery. A professional valuer will never get offended with this question, though will welcome it. Here are a few more questions you should ask:

1. Are you a Fellow of the Gemmological Association of Great Britain or Gemologist Graduate?

2. Are you a member of a professional personal property valuation organization?

3. What is your membership level in the organization?

4. How you obtained that membership level?

5. Did you just have to pay dues or you have to take courses and pass a comprehensive examination?

6. How often do you have to take a retest?

7. Do you stay current on industry guidelines and research, along with local and federal laws?

8. What are your specialty areas?