Founder & Market Researcher
What Does a Jewellery Valuation Cost in the UK?
A professional jewellery valuation in the UK typically costs £50–£150 per item, depending on the complexity of the piece, the type of valuation you need, and whether you choose an independent valuer or a high-street jeweller. Simple items like wedding bands and stud earrings sit at the lower end, while intricate antique pieces, large gemstones or multi-stone settings are priced higher due to the additional expertise and time required.
The cost of a jewellery valuation varies significantly between providers. A high-street chain might charge £50 for a straightforward ring, while a Fellow of the Gemmological Association with decades of experience might charge £120 or more for the same item — but their report carries far more weight with insurers and solicitors. Understanding these differences helps you make the right choice without overpaying or cutting corners.
Below, we break down pricing by provider type, explain what drives the cost up or down, and share practical tips for getting the best value from your valuation.
Valuation Cost by Provider Type
The UK valuation market includes several types of provider, each with different pricing, expertise and target customers. Here is how they compare:
| Provider Type | Typical Cost | Best For | Credentials |
|---|---|---|---|
| High-street jeweller | £40–£75 per item | Simple insurance valuations on modern jewellery | Varies widely; check for FGA or DGA qualifications |
| Independent valuer (IRV) | £75–£150 per item | Insurance, probate and complex pieces | Institute of Registered Valuers member; fully independent |
| Auction house | Free–£100 per item | Pre-sale estimates and resale valuations | In-house gemmologists; may not issue formal certificates |
| Online valuation service | £25–£60 per item | Quick insurance estimates and initial guidance | Varies; look for qualified valuers behind the platform |
| Pawnbroker | Free–£50 | Quick cash estimates only | Rarely qualified; not accepted by insurers or HMRC |
| Insurance company panel valuer | £60–£120 per item | Insurance claims and policy requirements | Pre-vetted by insurer; typically FGA or IRV qualified |
| Antique dealer | £50–£100 per item | Period and antique jewellery | Specialist knowledge; may lack formal gemmological qualifications |
| Jewellery retailer (own brand) | Free–£50 | Valuations of their own brand's pieces | Potential conflict of interest; limited to their own stock |
For most people, an independent valuer registered with the Institute of Registered Valuers (IRV) or holding a Fellowship of the Gemmological Association (FGA) offers the best balance of credibility and value. Their reports are accepted by all major insurers, solicitors and HMRC, and their independence means there is no conflict of interest.
What Affects the Cost of a Jewellery Valuation?
No two valuations take the same amount of time or expertise. These are the main factors that push the price up or bring it down:
Complexity of the piece
A plain 9ct gold wedding band can be valued in minutes — it involves weighing, testing the metal and checking current gold prices. A Victorian brooch with twelve mixed-cut gemstones, enamel work and a complex clasp mechanism might take 30 to 45 minutes. The valuer's time is the biggest component of the fee, so more complex items cost more to value.
Materials and gemstones
Pieces containing diamonds, coloured gemstones or unusual materials (such as natural pearls or alexandrite) require specialist testing equipment and deeper expertise. A diamond engagement ring needs assessment of the four Cs — cut, colour, clarity and carat weight — which adds time compared to a simple gold chain.
Purpose of the valuation
The type of valuation affects the fee. An insurance valuation requires the valuer to research current retail replacement costs. A probate valuation requires knowledge of the second-hand market. A resale valuation may involve researching auction records and dealer margins. Some purposes require more detailed reporting than others.
Quantity discounts
Almost every valuer offers a reduced per-item rate when you bring multiple pieces. Discounts of 10–30% are standard for collections of three or more items. Some valuers charge a flat appointment fee — for example, £150 for up to five items, with each additional item at £25. If you have a collection, always ask about bulk pricing before you book.
Online vs In-Person Valuations
The rise of online valuation services has given consumers a new option — but it is not always a like-for-like alternative to an in-person assessment. Here is how the two approaches compare:
- Lower cost — typically £25–£60 per item
- No travel required; done from home
- Fast turnaround (often 24–48 hours)
- Convenient for straightforward modern pieces
- Good starting point before a full in-person valuation
- Cannot physically test gemstones or metals
- Relies on photos — quality varies
- May not be accepted by all insurers
- Less accurate for antique or unusual pieces
- Not suitable for probate (HMRC expects physical examination)
- Physical examination with professional equipment
- Accepted by all insurers, solicitors and HMRC
- More accurate for complex or antique pieces
- Valuer can spot damage, repairs and treatments
- Opportunity to ask questions face to face
- Higher cost — typically £50–£150 per item
- May involve travel to the valuer's premises
- Appointment availability can be limited
- Longer turnaround for the written report
- Less convenient for routine updates
For high-value items, antique jewellery, or any piece needed for probate, an in-person valuation is the safest choice. For routine insurance updates on straightforward modern jewellery, an online service can be a cost-effective alternative — provided the platform uses qualified valuers and your insurer accepts digital reports.
Cost Differences: Insurance vs Probate vs Resale Valuations
The purpose of your valuation affects the price. Different types require different methodologies, research depth and reporting standards. Here is how the three main types compare on cost:
| Valuation Type | Typical Cost | What's Involved | Why the Price Differs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Insurance | £50–£125 per item | Full physical examination, gemstone testing, research of current retail replacement prices, detailed certificate with photographs | Requires extensive retail price research; most detailed report format |
| Probate | £25–£75 per item | Physical examination, assessment of open market value, report meeting HMRC requirements | Less research needed; second-hand market values are more standardised |
| Resale | £50–£100 per item | Physical examination, research of auction records and dealer prices, channel-specific pricing advice | Requires knowledge of current market conditions and selling channels |
If you need more than one type of valuation — for example, insurance and probate for inherited jewellery — most valuers can prepare multiple reports from a single appointment. This typically costs less than commissioning each separately, because the physical examination only needs to happen once.
Regional Price Variations
Like most professional services in the UK, jewellery valuation costs vary by location. The biggest factor is whether the valuer operates in central London or elsewhere.
London premium
Valuers in central London typically charge a 20–40% premium over the national average. Higher property costs, business rates and general overheads push fees up. Expect to pay £80–£180 per item for an independent valuer in zones 1–2, compared with £50–£120 in most other parts of England. Hatton Garden valuers often sit at the higher end due to the area's association with the diamond and jewellery trade.
Rest of England and Wales
Outside London, pricing is relatively consistent. Major cities like Birmingham (home to the Jewellery Quarter), Manchester, Leeds and Bristol have healthy competition between valuers, which keeps prices in the £50–£120 range for most items. Rural areas may have fewer options, which can mean higher prices due to limited competition — or the addition of travel fees if a valuer needs to visit your home.
Scotland and Northern Ireland
Pricing in Edinburgh and Glasgow is broadly comparable to major English cities outside London. In more remote parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland, mobile valuers who travel to your home may charge a travel supplement of £25–£50 on top of per-item fees. This can still work out cheaper than the cost of travelling to a city yourself, particularly if you have a collection to value.
Free Valuations: What You Actually Get
Several providers offer free jewellery valuations, from high-street retailers to online tools. Before you assume free means a good deal, it is important to understand what these services actually deliver — and where they fall short.
Why “free” valuations need caution
Conflict of interest. A jeweller who offers to value your piece for free is often hoping to sell you an upgrade, a repair, or a new setting. Their valuation may be inflated to make a sale seem like better value, or deflated if they want to buy the piece from you.
Not formally recognised. Most free valuations do not produce a formal certificate. Without a proper report from a qualified valuer, insurers may reject your claim and HMRC will not accept the figure for probate.
Limited examination. Free valuations are often quick visual assessments without professional testing equipment. Gemstones may not be properly identified, treatments may be missed, and the resulting figure can be significantly inaccurate.
Online estimates are not valuations. Free online tools that ask you to describe your jewellery and upload photos can give a rough indication of value, but they cannot replace a physical examination. Use them as a starting point, not a final answer.
Free valuations have their place — they can give you a rough idea of what your jewellery might be worth before you commit to paying for a full professional assessment. But for any purpose that matters — insurance, probate, divorce settlements, or selling — a paid valuation from a qualified, independent professional is the only option that carries real weight.
When a Valuation Pays for Itself
A professional valuation is an expense, but in many situations the return on investment is significant. Here are the scenarios where spending £50–£150 on a valuation can save you far more:
ROI examples: when the valuation fee pays for itself
Insurance claim. Without a valid, up-to-date valuation certificate, your insurer may only pay out based on their own estimate — which is often lower than replacement cost. A £100 valuation on a ring insured for £3,000 protects you against a potential shortfall of hundreds or even thousands of pounds.
Probate IHT savings. Using your existing insurance valuation for probate means reporting an inflated figure to HMRC. On a collection insured for £20,000, the open market value might be £12,000 — a difference of £8,000. At the 40% inheritance tax rate, that overpayment costs the estate £3,200. A probate valuation costing £150–£300 for the collection could save the estate thousands.
Selling at the right price. A resale valuation tells you what your jewellery is actually worth on the market. Without one, you might accept a dealer's lowball offer or set an unrealistic price that delays the sale. A £75 valuation could mean the difference between accepting £1,500 and negotiating £2,500 for the same piece.
Divorce settlement. Courts require accurate, independent valuations when dividing assets. An incorrect valuation — or no valuation at all — can skew the settlement by thousands of pounds. The cost of professional valuations is negligible compared to the assets being divided.
In each of these situations, the valuation fee is a fraction of the financial protection it provides. Think of it as an insurance policy for your insurance policy — or a small investment that prevents a much larger loss.
Hidden Costs to Watch For
The per-item fee is not always the final price. Some providers add charges that are not obvious when you first enquire. Ask about these before you book to avoid surprises on your bill:
Travel fees
If a valuer visits your home — common for large collections or elderly clients — expect a travel surcharge of £25–£75 depending on distance. Some valuers include travel within a certain radius (typically 10–15 miles) and charge a per-mile rate beyond that. Always ask whether the quoted price includes travel or whether it will be added.
VAT
Valuers who are VAT-registered must add 20% to their fees. Not all valuers are VAT-registered — those below the VAT threshold (currently £90,000 turnover) do not charge it. A valuation quoted at £100 plus VAT actually costs £120. Always confirm whether quoted prices include or exclude VAT.
Rush fees
Standard turnaround for a written report is typically five to ten working days. If you need the certificate urgently — for example, for an imminent insurance renewal or a court deadline — most valuers charge a rush fee of 25–50% extra. Planning ahead avoids this premium.
Photography charges
Some valuers include professional photographs of your jewellery in the report; others charge extra for images, typically £5–£15 per item. Photographs are valuable for insurance purposes (they help prove ownership and condition), so they are worth having — but confirm the cost upfront.
Revaluation and update fees
When your insurer asks for an updated valuation, some valuers charge less for a revaluation of an item they have previously assessed (since they already have the detailed notes), while others charge the same as a new valuation. Ask about revaluation pricing when you first commission a report, especially if you will need updates every few years.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much should I expect to pay for a jewellery valuation in the UK?
Most professional jewellery valuations in the UK cost between £50 and £150 per item. The exact price depends on the complexity of the piece, the type of valuation you need, and the provider you choose. Simple items like plain gold bands sit at the lower end, while complex pieces with multiple gemstones or period settings cost more. Many valuers offer discounts when you bring several items to the same appointment.
Are jewellery valuations tax deductible?
It depends on the purpose. Probate valuation fees are deductible as an estate administration expense, which can reduce the inheritance tax bill. Insurance valuation fees are not tax deductible for individuals, though businesses can claim them as a legitimate expense. If you commission a resale valuation as part of selling jewellery through a business, the cost may also be deductible. Always check with your accountant for your specific situation.
Can I get multiple items valued in one appointment to save money?
Yes, and this is one of the best ways to reduce your per-item cost. Most valuers offer bulk discounts — typically 10% to 30% off when you bring three or more items to the same appointment. Some charge a fixed appointment fee (for example, £150 for up to five items) rather than a strict per-item rate. Always ask about collection rates when you book.
How often do I need to pay for a revaluation?
Insurance valuations should be updated every three to five years, or sooner if precious metal or gemstone prices have moved significantly. Gold prices have risen substantially in recent years, meaning older valuations may seriously understate replacement cost. Probate valuations are a one-off requirement at the date of death. Resale valuations only need updating when you are actively planning to sell.
Is a free jewellery valuation as good as a paid one?
Generally no. Free valuations from high-street jewellers or online tools give you a rough estimate, but they rarely produce a formal valuation certificate that insurers or HMRC will accept. Free valuations may also carry a conflict of interest — a jeweller offering to buy your piece has an incentive to value it low, while one hoping to sell you an upgrade may value it high. For any legal, insurance or financial purpose, a paid valuation from an independent, qualified valuer is essential.
Do I need to pay separately for a valuation certificate?
With most reputable valuers, the certificate is included in the valuation fee. The certificate is the whole point — it is the formal document that your insurer, solicitor or HMRC will accept. Be wary of any provider who quotes a low headline price and then charges extra for the written report. Always confirm what is included before you book.
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