The Difference Between Jewellery Valuation for Sale and Insurance Valuation

Jewellery shown on this page are examples of diamond, gold, emerald and pearl jewellery etc. valued and sold by Vernon Ward.

Signed pieces of Jewellery

Signed pieces of jewellery that are always sought after by private collectors are as follows:

  • Faraone
  • Harry Winston
  • Piel Fréres
  • Fabergé
  • Miriam Haskell
  • Marcus & Co
  • Mauboussin
  • René Boivin
  • Patek Phillippe
  • Raymond Templier
  • Butler & Wilson
  • etc
  • Boucheron
  • Bulgari
  • Garrard & Co Ltd
  • Cartier
  • Wartski
  • Beogoff Jewellery
  • Marina Bulgari
  • Boodle & Dunthorne
  • Van Cleef & Arpels
  • Tiffany & Co
  • Charles Ballin
  • etc
  • Mauboussin
  • Georg Jensen
  • Mogens Ballin
  • Chaumet
  • Trifari
  • Krementz
  • Asprey
  • Monét
  • Kutchinsky
  • Debacq a Cie
  • etc

Jewellery in general is mounted in gold, platinuim, white gold or silver.

It is always good that pieces of jewellery are signed by one of the makers listed above (to name but a few). Without a signiture &/or stamp etc, and the history or provenance of a piece of jewellery i.e. where is came from and who owned it prior to the seller, the piece in question will not have added value. For example a signed piece of Jewellery by Cartier  or Tiffany (etc) (with the provenance) will command a far higher value than unsigned pieces, whether it be an emerald brooch, a diamond bracelet, a sapphire ring or a diamond necklace and so on.


Insurance on Jewellery and Their True Values

Over the many years I have had clients who have shown me their private collections or singular items and more often than not the insurance placed on pieces of jewellery (be it signed or unsigned) have always been far higher insurance wise than is often necessary. An insurance report on jewellery, as a rule of the thumb, is two thirds more than  the  actual value of the piece plus VAT. One particular insurance  inventory I was shown by a client was valued at a figure seven times  higher than  the value of the collection, and with that came the  difficult task of  informing the client that the insurance value placed  was totally  inaccurate - which can be quite distressing for the  owner/seller - as they actually accept and believe their insured piece  or collection  should achieve a figure near to the insurance inventory. Unfortuantely, there is no law against high insurance values but time and time again I  have come across ridiculous insurance schedules.

The testimonials shown below are typical examples of clients who have had their antiques and/or jewellery overvalued. These particular reviews confirm exaggerated insurance valuations. It is wise to be cautious when insuring your jewellery, it is advisable to get at least 2/3 opinions before commiting yourself to an insurance report by a regulated insurance company or a reputable broker.

Vernon is passionate about his work and in my personal opinion there would be no who I recommend more to sell my jewellery than Vernon

I would like to thank Vernon and his team in selling a collection of inherited fine jewellery with pieces ranging from the 30s until the late 90s . It is always a difficult decision to know where to sell a range of items online ? auction house ? pawnbrokers or local jewellers? I am happy to say Vernon and team excelled . All items were sold within the time frame he allocated and for far greater prices than elsewhere. It was a bespoke service with no difference in service between higher and lower priced items , the commission is way below the going rate and it was a joy to meet Vernon and his team who were welcoming knowledgeable and always on hand to update myself with any changes to the item being sold . Vernon is passionate about his work and in my personal opinion there would be no who I recommend more to sell my jewellery than Vernon

Alex Morrel, Sussex - November 2023

Inheritance Jewellery valuation-Excellent advice given.

Where do I start? Vernon is such an approachable person who makes you feel completely at ease. My knowledge in antiques is extremely minimal, but whatever my question was I was not made to feel in anyway inadequate.Extremely professional service and I greatly appreciate the time Vernon spent in passing on his advice.Would not hesitate to contact again.

Jane W - February 2022

Highly recommended

I found Vernon on the internet purely by chance. Vernon’s website immediately made it clear - if you were not aware already - of the difference between valuations for insurance purposes and the actual value of items. It is a very important thing to be aware of when discussing your personal “crown jewels”. Vernon assessed and researched the pieces that I talked to him about and gave me some very sound advice. In fact, advice to his detriment - as he will not gain financially for it. But Vernon wants the best for his clients and the best for them, is not always the best for him. Highly recommended.

Liz McAllister - August 2021

What a wonderful experience from first speaking to him on the phone to visiting his premise’s

Visited Vernon with my mother-in-law with some jewellery and gold to get an idea of its value. What a wonderful experience from first speaking to him on the phone to visiting his premise’s. He made us feel very relaxed and he ran through our items giving us fantastic advice (he does not charge for this service either!). We decided to sell some items and within a week Vernon had sold the items at the value he had advised. We were so happy with the service provided by Vernon and his assistant valuator Hayley and cannot recommended them highly enough.

Sarah Turner - May 2022

Vintage Diamond Jewellery Sale

"Outstanding diamond sale. I took my vintage diamond jewellery to Vernon who after 3 days of constant and Meticulous research which he did completey for free, re-appaised the values far more accurately than any high street jewelers from the Laines in Brighton to high street jewelers in London I visited. I did not hesitate to go through Vernon where all business was conducted to the letter,very professionaly and private. Having gone to high street jewelers I would highly recommended going to a professional who knows exactly what he's talking about with many years of experience. (Vernon Ward) A personal one to one service! Having my mothers jewellery which is very sentimental Vernon was the only person who looked after me with compassion and understanding and not for financial gain. He encouraged me not to rush in to anything which is so rare in todays modern world. Which gave me total piece of mind when conducting my business with him from start to finish. Thank you Vernon"

Tracey - Brighton. September 2018

Incredible service from Vernon Ward

Several months ago I contacted Vernon to value a plethora of fine, varied antiques – gold watches, elaborate clocks, oil paintings, and period furniture – and to advise on their saleability. Living in a distant Scottish island proved no problem for Vernon, whose guidance and patience in assisting me resulted in an excellent outcome, potentially saving thousands of pounds of charges I would have incurred had I used the likes of established outlets such as Sotheby’s or Christie’s. I know this to be the case having checked the charges they would have placed on assessing my antiques.Vernon’s service was exemplary and his commission extremely reasonable. He gave freely of his time over a long period, and his knowledge was faultless. Anyone with interesting antiques would do well contacting Vernon Ward Antique Valuers first and foremost.

Mr A Bradley - Scotland

He was friendly, engaging, unhurried and professional

My sons had been left a large quantity of jewellery from their grandmother, nothing wildly valuable or exciting, and I went with them to meet Vernon and have them valued. We were all struck by Vernon's approachability, his kindness, the feeling that nothing was too much trouble and that we were in safe hands. He was friendly, engaging, unhurried and professional. It was clear that Vernon has alot of solid experience with antiques, jewellery, and people. Just as important. Vernon went through the items, gave a valuation and advice about options with regard to what to do with the different pieces. My sons will consider these options and make their decision. It was all in all a very positive experience. Thank you, Vernon

Christine Asphar - April 2021

For all jewellery valuations and sales advice contact Vernon Ward.

(+44) 01273 502 097

Contact Vernon

50 Years Experience

Worldwide database of buyers

Low Commission