Free Jewellery Valuations


An assistant Jewellery Valuer

Selling diamond jewellery, vintage jewellery, modern jewellery or signed pieces such as Van Cleef & Arpels, Cartier, Tiffany, Asprey, Fabergé, Boucheron  etc, is something I’ve been very active in, in this professional field, for over 50 years.

The history of the pieces I’ve been instructed to sell never ceases to  astound and delight me; be it inherited jewellery, bank collections in London where I’ve sold fabulous diamonds alongside gold jewellery or just a single piece of vintage or modern jewellery. The charming ladies and gentlemen I’ve met over the years are just as joyful as the stories they’ve told me, all of which are fascinating. That’s why I love my profession. Reflecting on some of my gratefully received reviews makes me feel very touched and proud of the comments received. Many reviews shown have been about research, selling or being instructed to sell high end vintage or diamond jewellery whether it be diamond rings, diamond cluster brooches or fine diamond Riviere necklaces, one of the most popular and enduring styles of  necklace to come out of the Georgian period. Over the many years I’ve sold exquisite pieces of gold and platinum jewellery ranging from classic Cartier to modern Kutchinsky to a single bar brooch! All of these are still sought after by collectors however high or low in value.

For free valuations on all manner of jewellery. Please telephone for appointment.

An example is of two delightful ladies from Surrey who contacted me August 2017

Jewellery appraised and sold

The above clients contacted me by  phone requesting a meeting, they drove down to Sussex to visit me at my office where they instructed me to sell their diamond and gold jewellery privately. I researched and appraised the items and they were absolutely  delighted  with the overall sale.

I’m going to share some further details on one of the pieces I sold on their behalf which was a  bangle: (permission given by the client); to be precise: a late  Victorian oval  hinged rose hollow double bangle with an old cut diamond  set crossover  top section set with a cultured pearl centre.

The colour of the diamond was 1-J, the clarity was VS/S1 and the cut was “old cut” and “rose cut”, the pearl was light cream in colour, the lustre – medium and the gold bangle itself was 15ct yellow gold – not hallmarked, the weight was 20.9 grams. I sourced a private collector, much to the delight of my clients and shown below is the bangle and their review.

50 Years Experience

Worldwide database of buyers

Low Commission

Far superior style of business

After visiting London jewelers with my collection of unworn jewelry I felt unsure as to the way they worked so I contacted Vernon and his team which was a great move away from the trade seen in London. Vernon invited me to visit him and after a long chat with lots of great advice I instructed him to sell my items knowing he had private collectors. He kept me informed throughout the duration and within 10 days he had achieved higher prices than I was offered in London. It was a far superior style of business. Private and confidential, friendly and polite and above all a great result. I would thoroughly recommend.

Jane M. East Sussex - Febraury 2022

London client, delighted

After unpleasant experiences visiting various jewellers at Hatton Garden trying trying to dispose of some inherited jewellery, I travelled to Vernon’s office where my experience was the opposite. He spent two hours advising me with no obligation and was able to sell my sentimental pieces to appreciative collectors within the guaranteed ten days. It was an outstanding experience: Vernon is knowledgable, respectful and discreet, unlike my Hatton Garden experience! My husband and I would wholeheartedly recommend Vernon to anyone selling precious inherited pieces. Thank you so much Vernon.

Michelle Rock -August 2022

I can't thank Vernon enough, and would certainly recommend him to anyone considering the sale of jewellery and antiques.

After trawling the internet for information on the best way to value (and ultimately sell) a number of items of jewellery that were left to me by my late mother, I found myself at a complete impasse - High street jewellers wished to charge a set fee for a valuation on each item, which could easily have exceeded the eventual sale values. Feeling rather lost, I happened across Vernon's website and contact details. Sending a message, resulted in a swift and courteous telephone reply from Vernon. We had an extremely helpful conversation, which left me in no doubt that Vernon's knowledge and expertise would be invaluable in assisting me with the sale of the jewellery. I travelled from Berkshire to Vernon's office on the outskirts of Brighton, and had a delightful meeting with the man himself and his lovely colleague Hayley. During the meeting Vernon was very honest and concise, and I elected to have him sell the jewellery, which he did over the course of the following 10 days. I consider myself very lucky to have happened across Vernon, when other avenues appeared to be unsuitable for my particular situation. I can't thank him enough, and would certainly recommend him to anyone considering the sale of jewellery and antiques.

Alastair Summers, Berkshire - August 2021

He is a man of his word and he delivered all that he promised!

"We were bequeathed extremely high end diamond/ gold jewellery and signed pieces and approached top jewellers and auctioneers (being somewhat out of our depth and new to the selling procedure for appraisals/ valuations). However, before selling, we felt we needed another appraisal and contacted Vernon - what good fortune that was! After asking him to sell our jewellery, We received excellent service, a far better return than expected and all with no hidden charges. From beginning to end, he was attentive and reassuring. He operates in a friendly, hospitable way which made doing business with him a pleasure. He is a man of his word and he delivered all that he promised!"

Lynn D - Surrey

Gold effects fine sale

"My gold goblet and other gold jewelers was classed as scrap. However after visiting Vernon he achieved fine prices as individual items from collectors he sourced, and secured far above other quotes. Excellent conclusion for me, and sales concluded privately confidentially. Would recommend without question."

Tim S - 22 May 2019

Antique diamond jewellery

Vernon and his colleagues were exceptional in their valuation of our collection of antique diamond jewellery, valued well in excess of £100,000. We were amazed with the depth and breadth of Vernon's knowledge. His valuation was quick but incredibly thorough and we wouldn't hesitate to recommend him to others. We were delighted to get the same high level of service that could be expected from a high end London jeweller, but in Brighton! Many thanks Vernon.

Katie - August 2020

I would not hesitate to use Vernon again in the future and highly recommend his services

After trawling the internet for hours trying to find the best way to have my jewellery valued and sold I came across Vernon Ward. Vernons service was fantastic from start to finish. He valued and sold my Gold & pearl Victorian necklace and a gold bangle and kept me fully informed through the whole process. I knew instantly that I had gone to the right person. I would not hesitate to use Vernon again in the future and highly recommend his services.

Sarah Fowler

We will definitely be using Vernon’s services again and will recommend him to family and friends who like us only wish to work with trustworthy individuals

Having approached jewelers and different auction houses in Sweden, we were ready to return the various items of jewelry (that we had inherited) back to the safety deposit, varying value estimates, confusing commission and handling charges etc, made the idea of selling them a total nightmare. By sheer chance, I happened upon Vernon Wards website and sent an e-mail to enquire if he could help, and received an immediate reply with a firm appointment to meet him at his office in Sussex. My wife and I were met and welcomed into a charming meeting room, Covid secure and spacious, Vernon and his assistant carefully and respectfully went through each individual piece giving a professional and experienced estimate as to its value, without making any promises, other than he would ensure he would find the right buyers, we left him to present our items to his buyers. The whole process was courteous, efficient and highly professional, carried out in a friendly and unhurried atmosphere. Within five days of our initial meeting, Vernon called to say he had found buyers for the pieces and arranged a meeting to arrange payment to us, he was pleased to advise us that the sale had indeed been successful, exceeding his initial estimate, a week after our first meeting we were back at Vernons office and went through each item and it’s sale price, true to his word, we were certainly not dissapointed, quite the opposite, we were delighted, he had far exceeded our expectations with the total sale, by far and away above anything we had expecected. We will definitely be using Vernon’s services again and will recommend him to family and friends who like us only wish to work with trustworthy individuals who can bring their experience to the business in a highly professional and efficient way, a true gentleman with a gentle attitude,thank you Vernon it was a pleasure to have met you.

Stanley Baines - Stockholm Sweden

I highly recommend if you have jewellery that you wish to have valued you contact Vernon first

Vernon and Haley are very pleasant people, they gave my partner and I a lot of information about the jewellery we took to them and clearly explained why he gave the valuation he did. The experience was significantly better than all the jewellers we had previously visited in Brighton South Lanes who made us feel like even looking out items was a waste of their time. The sale contract Vernon showed us very clear and easy to understand and the 10% sale fee seems very fair and reasonable, I have every confidence that should we choose to sell any items through Vernon he will get us a fair value for them. I highly recommend if you have jewellery that you wish to have valued you contact Vernon first.

Stephen Prunty - Sussex, Nov 2021

Wonderfully helpful advice from a very approachable and knowledgeable gentleman!

Vernon was very professional in his dealings, yet managed to set me at ease in a field of business to which I was completely unaccustomed. Due to his help and advice I was able to obtain a very good price for my item of jewellery within a week. I am a happy customer!

Catherine, London - March 2022

A real Gent and true expert

On contacting Vernon regarding antique jewellery I can't put into words what an extreme pleasure it's been. It's so refreshing to speak to someone who is so helpful, knowledgable and clearly in love with his profession. I've received outstanding advice and information which has been a great help. I can't thank Vernon enough and wouldn't hesitate to do business in the future. A true gent, Thank you Vernon.

Lisa Smith, Surrey - August 2023