Q: How long do you take to carry out the work?
A: This obviously depends on the number and complexity of your items, but
here is a general guide:
If you make an appointment at our office. Your items will be
returned to you before you leave the office and the documentation will
follow within a couple days once we have carried out the research and
valuation. In some instances you will leave with the report too.
If you send your items to us. Your items and documentation will
be back in your possession within 7 days. There are exceptions to
this rule. We do appreciate that sometimes a very quick service is required and where possible we do our utmost to oblige.
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Q: Is my jewellery insured whilst in your possession?
A: Yes. We are insured by the most highly respected specialist jewellery Insurance Company in the UK. From the moment we take
receipt of your pieces to the minute they are returned to you, they are fully covered by their comprehensive policy. In addition, we employ extremely stringent security
procedures for your protection and ours.
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Q:
Can you value a ring I bought from a jewellery shopping
channel?
A: We value all jewellery, irrespective of where it
was purchased but please be aware that we will value your ring at the
most appropriate market level for replacement. In this instance the
market level and value descriptor would be "New Replacement Value
at Internet or Shopping Channel Market Level". Simply put, the
value we place on your ring will be equal to the likely cost to replace
your ring with a one of similar a description and content and of equal
merit from a similar source, not necessarily the same channel
from which it was purchased.
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Q: What is an Independent
Valuer?
A: An Independent Valuer is a qualified individual whose sole business is the Appraisal and Valuation of jewellery, watches, clocks and silver.
We are not owned, employed by or affiliated to any Insurance company or broker, retail Jeweller or any company that may have a vested interest in the value placed on items.
Whilst we are happy to advise you on such matters, we do not sell or buy jewellery.
We are totally unbiased and independent.
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Q: Why should I use a
Certified Appraiser?
A: To qualify as an AJA Certified Appraiser, valuers have to meet the highest professional standards, in terms of experience, qualifications, integrity, knowledge, equipment, procedures and presentation. Every schedule is composed under very stringent guidelines laid down by the
AJA (Association of Jewellery Appraisers) and their work is scrutinised by the
AJA to ensure that these guidelines are being met.
Adrian Smith was one of the first Appraisers to qualify as a Certified
Appraiser in the UK.
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Q: Why does it cost so much to have an Appraisal and Valuation carried out?
A: There is a popular misconception that appraisals are carried out "like on the Antiques Road Show". The hours of examining the items, researching the facts and compiling the information for broadcasting are not shown, as it would make for poor entertainment. The viewer merely sees the result of the work, not the work itself.
When you hire the services of an appraiser you are seeking professional advice, you must expect to pay a reasonable price for an expert opinion and evaluation. The fee you pay covers not only the time it takes to prepare an
appraisal report in which you can have confidence, but also the investment in the training, equipment and other resources that are necessary to do the job well and for the responsibility associated with the finished schedule. In this, as in most cases, the cheapest is not the best!
You will be pleased to know that we DO NOT charge a fee based on a
percentage of the value (in fact, we consider it unethical to do so). In the vast majority of cases, you will know exactly how much we
will charge you before you agree to have the appraisal and valuation
carried out. We don't give our clients unwelcome surprises with our
fees.
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Q: Can you appraise and value my jewellery in my home?
A: Yes we can carry out this work in your home, but we much prefer
examining your items in our office/laboratory. Consistent, controllable surroundings and lighting conditions are very important, particularly when colour grading
diamonds and gemstones. It is also impossible to bring all the necessary equipment and research material to your home. We do appreciate that in certain situations carrying out our work on site is necessary, under these circumstances, all fees will be
time based and reference will be made within the documentation that the work was carried out under less than ideal conditions.
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Q Can
you collect my pieces from me and what areas do you cover?
A: A Collection and delivery service is available from your home, business or place of work. The principal
cities covered on a continual basis are Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Perth and Dundee. Other areas by arrangement.
There is a charge for this service. We also accept work via the Royal Mail's Special delivery
Service (please note the different address for sending valuables).
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Q: Why should I have my
jewellery valued for Insurance purposes?
A: A valuation and appraisal of your treasured items is so much more than a listing of their values. It provides you with peace of mind that in the event of a loss, the detailed description of the missing item will allow a fitting replacement to be supplied. The schedule provides proof of ownership. This is useful when a claim is made against any unspecified items on your policy.
It ensures that you will not be charged Duty and VAT on pieces that you already owned prior to leaving the UK on holiday.
With the detailed description and images, it helps the Police to trace your items should you suffer loss or burglary. If they are located, you can easily prove that you are the rightful owner. Did you realise that if you cannot prove that the items belong to you, they could, in some cases, be returned to the suspected burglar?
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Q: My Insurance Company automatically covers items below £2,000 without an Appraisal and Valuation.
A: Most Insurance companies do cover unspecified items up to a certain figure (usually between £1,000 and £2,500). However, in the event of a claim, problems can arise in establishing where in the range of £20 to £2,000 your item falls. This can lead to delays, stress and an unsatisfactory settlement for you. Most insurance companies are very fair in these situations, but you must realise that there are some policyholders that view a claim as an opportunity for betterment, your Insurance Company will bear this in mind when trying to establish the value of the lost item. The way to ensure a swift, trouble free and fitting settlement is to have an accurate and up to date Appraisal and Valuation of your unspecified items as well as your specified pieces.
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Q: My policy is index linked, surely there is no need to have my valuables re-valued.
A: Index linking is one way that the Insurance Company attempts to keep your sum assured in step with what is happening in the market place. Jewellery, does not stick to these rigid rules, our job would be so much easier (but not as interesting) if it did. Jewellery is composed of precious metals and gemstones, both commodities are very subject to changes in prices on a worldwide and local level.
Gemstone prices can fluctuate enormously, depending on worldwide stability, economics, supply, demand and politics. Media coverage, fashion and demand in one part of the world can cause prices to sharply fall or rise in another country.
There are many factors that govern the value of jewellery. Jewellery can decrease in value as well as increase, by applying the Insurance company's' annual percentage you may well find that you are paying premiums far in excess of what they should be or that you are hopelessly under insured.
Once a full Appraisal and Valuation has been carried out on your valuables, the hard work has been done. All future re-valuations carry only a nominal fee for cleaning and checking all the pieces, recalculating the value and producing a new schedule for your Insurance Company.
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Q: Why have I been asked for previous documentation?
A: We usually ask you to supply any previous
appraisals, receipts, certificates, grading reports or other documentation. The reasons for this
are simple. There may well be information contained in these documents that we cannot normally be expected to know. For instance, it may well be that a sales receipt may state the un-mounted weight of a gemstone. We can calculate what we would expect a gemstone of certain proportions to weigh, but it is always better if we have a reliable un-mounted weight to work from.
Perhaps the piece has some provenance that affects its value, its very often additional documentation that provides the evidence that this provenance exists.
It is important that we see any Diamond Grading Reports from grading
laboratories, we need to establish that your diamond is indeed the stone
detailed in the Grading Report. Diamonds graded by a respected Grading
Laboratory carry a premium value, it is critical that these premiums are
included in the value. Also, if we are unaware of the existence of a
Grading Report on a diamond over 1.00ct, we will create a plot diagram
for your diamond in our valuation. This would then involve you an unnecessary
additional expense.
Sometimes, we simply don't agree with previous assessments, in which case, it is better that we are aware of a potential problem and discuss these differences of opinion with you before our documentation is prepared
for you.
In addition, we like to scan all relevant documentation and include it
on the data disc that forms part of your report.
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Q:
What is your "Client for Life Service"?
A: We believe in looking after our clients on an ongoing and open
ended basis. Once you have a valuation carried out by us, you are
automatically included in this service. The main benefits are:-
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Q:
What services to you offer for the partially sighted?
A: On request, we are happy
to provide a large plain text version of the report. In addition, this
contains large images and the CD contains an audio transcript of the
report for your convenience.
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Q: What should I do if I am considering having my items valued by you?
A: In the first instance you should contact us so that we can discuss your exact requirements
together or book an appointment
online.
Once you are happy to employ our services at the agreed fee, we can make
an appointment for you. We try our best to make you comfortable while
you are with us.
If you decide that you would like the work carried out in your home or
business, we will set dates for the appraisal and delivery of the documentation.
If you wish to use the Royal Mails secure "Special Delivery Service" please contact us prior to sending so that we may advise you on a suitable method of packaging (we can supply this for you, if need be).
Please note the different address for posting valuables (see Contact
Us).
We also have a delivery and collection service. If you decide to take
advantage of this service, we will arrange a mutually agreeable date and
time to collect and return your items.
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Q:
Can my jeweller provide one of your valuation reports?
A: We appreciate that you may prefer to deal with your family
jeweller and would encourage you to maintain this relationship. The
flexibility of drop-off and pick-up times may also suit your needs
better. If so, our reports are available through selected
participating jewellers. Please see Retailers
Participating retailers are present in Perthshire, Fife, Lothian,
Aberdeenshire and Angus.
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Q:
I collect several pieces of jewellery per year. How can I avoid having
to pay for several single item reports?
A: Use our "Collectors Service". This service is
specifically designed for clients who add to their jewellery collection
on a regular basis. (say four or more pieces in a 12 month period)
As each normal item is acquired, £50 is charged and a PDF format report
is emailed to the client.
At the end of each 12 month period a full report is produced for all the
items collected in previous 12 months. A single set-up fee is charged,
thus making significant savings.
Our thanks are
due to our client Mrs. J. M**** of Dundee whose feedback comments
prompted us to develop this service. To see other implemented client
suggestions, click
here
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Q:
What does "Appraisal" and "Valuation" actually mean?
What is the difference?
A: These terms can cause confusion as in the UK we tend to use the
terms "Valuer" and "Valuation" to cover the whole
area covered by Appraisal and Valuation.
Strictly speaking, an appraisal is the judgement, assessment and
quantification of the piece of jewellery and its component parts.
This would include things like the quality and weight of the gold or
platinum, the workmanship, the quality of the gemstones, their weight
and dimensions etc etc.
Valuation is the calculation of the item's financial value.
It can be seen that it is impossible to have an accurate valuation
without an accurate appraisal, the appraisal is the foundation on
which the value is calculated. This is why we place a great importance
on the appraisal part of our reports.
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Q:
I work 9 to 5, Monday to Friday. Can you help?
A: We appreciate that if you work or run your business 9am until 5pm
attending an appointment can be difficult. We are happy to offer an
"Out of Hours" service. If it is more convenient for you, we
can offer appointments from 6.45 in the morning. If evenings suit you
better we can usually accommodate any reasonable request. Weekend
appointments can be arranged too if you cannot make any other time.
Normal charges apply plus an "Out of Hours" charge of £25
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Q:
I have doubts concerning the authenticity of a document bearing your
name, what next?
A: Only reports dated after March 2003 are affected. There are a number of Internet Traders that are using our name to
help sell their misrepresented jewellery by stating that the item is
supplied with one of our valuation reports. This scam is used
extensively on E-Bay but has also been used on websites that at first
glance look respectable. You can check your report by clicking here.
If you still have any doubts regarding the
authenticity of documentation that was allegedly supplied by us please contact
us as soon as possible. Do not part with any money until you have
spoken to us.
We have tried to answer the most commonly asked questions. If you
feel we have missed one, we would be grateful if you could contact
us and let us know, so that we can include it in this section. Thank
you.
