Every piece of jewellery tells a story…

…do you know the plot (and value) of what’s in your jewellery box?

Fact not fiction

Just recently a ring of over 350 years old was found on the Isle of Man¹. Known as a mourning ring it is thought to have connections to the Lord of Mann²during the English Civil War. Dating from the 1600’s it is likely to have been distributed at the funeral of the 7^th Earl of Derby to commemorate his life. It is yet to be valued, but an inquest has officially declared it as treasure, and it will now go on display in the medieval gallery within the local Manx museum³.

We are not suggesting the items within your jewellery box have such an historical tale of national importance behind it, but inherited pieces can pass through several generations and as time goes by, the sentimental value will be at the forefront leading us to overlook the monetary value of such items.

The moral behind this story

Internationally recognised valuers, Doerr Dallas⁴ are keen to remind you the importance of revisiting the value of your jewellery. For example, Annabelle Parry’s recent webinar about rubies suggests that the value of this gem in particular, continues to climb and valuations have altered over the past year or so. ‘There are more diamonds than good quality rubies, fine rubies are few and far between, so the prices continue to go up.’

After many years of valuation experience Doerr Dallas states that more than 78%⁵ of their clients are under-insured with the consequent risk that any insurance claims for damage or loss might only be partially met.

The inside story

Jewellery isn’t easy to replace. Luxuries like these aren’t bought or gifted every day and by its very nature jewellery can acquire value overtime. Insurance can also be a challenge; are there penalties if you’re underinsured? Is it compulsory to get regular valuations? How can you keep the premium down? Do you have to increase your security? If you haven’t had your jewellery valued in recent years or you are concerned about questions such as these, please do get in touch. We can provide expert and independent guidance as to how you can insure your most treasured pieces in the most flexible and economic manner.