Valuation Process

The valuation process

There can be many reasons why you require a valuation. I have experience in all areas including insurance, probate (confirmation of will), family division and guardianship, marital dispute and executries. Please contact me if you require a valuation for any other purpose. I also have experience as an expert witness.

I provide a friendly and professional home visit service. Your valuation can also be carried out at a secure location of your choice like a solicitors office or your bank if more suitable. This gives you peace of mind your valuables are safe at all times and I can visit at a time most convenient to you. My main areas of operation are Glasgow, Renfrewshire, Lanarkshire and Edinburgh but further travel can be arranged.

By appointment, I can also value your items at the my office in Glasgow Merchant City if this is more convenient. Your valuables will remain with you at all times.

Your items will be cleaned using an ultrasonic machine where applicable. Some gemstones cannot be cleaned in this way but as a gemmologist, I have full knowledge of gemstone care. I will also check all claw work and any clasps or fittings. This is an important part of your valuation as your insurer must be advised if your jewellery is in insurable condition. If your jewellery requires repair, I can provide details of local workshops who can help.

I will weigh each item individually, note hallmarks and other metal marks or test the metal where the metal is unmarked. I will take all necessary measurements of items and their gemstones. Carat weights are then estimated and I will provide gradings on diamonds and gemstones. If your diamond has a lab report, I will check this against the diamond. As a certified diamond grader, I have experience in grading colourless and fancy coloured diamonds. I'm also one of the few experts in this area who has a synthetic diamond screener.

It is very important to have clear images of your jewellery and watches. I will provide detailed photographs using high quality equipment. Your schedule will contain full colour photographs.

I will complete your schedule from my office and send this to you in a PDF format by email often as soon the next day. This can be sent directly to your insurer, speeding up the process of sending paper copies. I will then send your schedule, in a beautifully presented folder to your home by Special Delivery if requested. I understand that clients may wish to be more environmentally friendly, so I offer a paper free service as noted in my fees.

Your insurer will advise when you are required to update your valuations, usually this is every 3 to 5 years. The fee for this service is the set up fee and 50% of the original valuation fee.