Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to some common questions

Q. Why use an NCJV Registered Valuer™?

The question should be: “Why risk using someone who is not registered?”

Only members of the National Council of Jewellery Valuers are entitled to call themselves an NCJV Registered Valuer™. This means they are experts in their profession and have completed extensive training in gemmology, diamond grading and valuing, and commit to ongoing professional development.

Accurate valuation is an exacting and demanding process that requires professional training and extensive experience.

Tertiary qualifications in jewellery valuation are not required under Australian law so there is no guarantee that valuers who are not NCJV members have received professional training.

Q. How do I know if a valuer is registered?

If you are not sure a valuer is a member of the NCJV ask to see a current membership certificate. Jewellery stores employing registered valuers may have an NCJV logo in their windows.

Your valuation certificate should be embossed with the NCJV seal which shows that the valuer is a member in the current year. Such proof carries weight with insurance companies if you need to make a claim.

Q. Why do I need to have my jewellery valued?

A professional valuation is a statement about the condition of an item and is an important safeguard if it is lost, stolen or damaged.

Valuations can include all types of jewellery, both modern and antiques, as well as other valuable items, such as watches and precious metal alloys.

There are many benefits:

  • Insurance companies are unlikely to provide full compensation for an expensive piece of jewellery unless you can prove its true value.
  • If your jewellery is recovered your valuation certificate provides proof of ownership.
  • When you want to sell your jewellery, an assessment based on a specific market value can be an effective means of ensuring you receive a fair price.
  • The valuation gives you a comprehensive description of the item, which is invaluable if you decide to have the piece remade.
  • An expert inspection can help prove if the piece you have bought is genuine or as valuable as the seller claimed. Deceived jewellery buyers have managed to recoup significant amounts after seeking early advice from an NCJV valuer.

Q. What does a valuation involve?

When your jewellery is inspected by an NCJV member it is scientifically examined using high-grade equipment and valued based on current market research.

After the appraisal, you receive an NCJV valuation certificate which contains a full description of your item, and a statement explaining the reason for the valuation and the intended market.

Only a valuation conducted by an NCJV member can be given a certificate stamped with our organisation’s seal. In the jewellery and insurance sectors, this is a recognised sign of integrity and carries important credibility.

This is because an NCJV Registered Valuer™ undergoes years of training to provide the service.

Q. How much does a valuation cost?

This will vary according to the size and complexity of the piece being valued. An NCJV valuer can give you an estimate of the cost before starting the valuation.

Professional valuation is not a case of simply looking at an item and guessing a price. It is a complex process that involves specialist equipment and a high level of expertise to determine the quality and value of each part of the jewellery piece.

NCJV Registered Valuers™ are trained to identify the tiniest details that can affect a valuation and they keep up to date with market fluctuations. Our fine arts members and specialist valuers also have many years of experience in their particular areas of expertise.

NCJV membership is dependent on years of training and a demonstrated ability to be able to represent jewellery and fine arts correctly to the public.

The valuation certificate you receive is recognised as a legal document produced by an experienced trained professional.

Q. Is it possible to have jewellery valued prior to purchase?

Yes, this can occur by arrangement with your jeweller and valuer and is a sensible safeguard to ensure you pay a fair price.

Advances in reproduction technology have resulted in increasing numbers of synthetic stones reaching the marketplace.

Synthetic rubies, for example, can be worth 95 per cent less than natural rubies but look identical to the untrained eye.

Unscrupulous producers are highly skilled at making everything from cheap antique jewellery to forged branded watches which can be very hard to pick from the originals.

NCJV Registered Valuers™ keep up-to-date with new developments in the industry and are trained to identify imitations.

If you are unsure about the seller or an item’s authenticity, have the items checked by an NCJV Registered Valuer™. It could end up saving you a good deal of embarrassment as well as a significant amount of money.

Q. How often should valuations be updated?

Values do fluctuate so it is important to have your jewellery and other valuables reassessed every two or three years to ensure the valuation is current.

You need to know if the value has increased so you are not under insured, or if it has suffered some damage or wear and tear and is over insured. An up-to-date valuation includes a report on the condition of your item.

Sometimes insurance companies request that you keep your valuations up-to-date, in which case it is wise to have your jewellery revalued to make sure you are fully covered.

Q. How important is diamond certification?

Diamond certification can be confusing because certification systems differ between various laboratories.

Diamonds sometimes come with a diamond certificate issued by an international agency such as the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), HRD Antwerp or the World Jewellery Confederation (CIBJO). Certification can also be offered by Australian laboratories.

However, there is no one standard system and they are not always comparable.

Also, a diamond certificate only provides information about the quality of the diamond. It does not include a value and it does not provide an assessment of the quality of the setting or any other precious gems.

As a result, diamond certification can be quite perplexing for an untrained person trying to establish the quality of their jewellery. An NCJV Registered Valuer™ can help interpret the certificate for you and provide a valuation of the entire piece and all its components.

Q. Should I have my jewellery photographed?

Photographing your valuables is an important safeguard in the event of loss or damage. It is particularly useful when making an insurance claim and for police trying to match recovered property.

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