It’s a question most jewellers never expect to face. But it’s the right one to ask before the situation arises.
Many jewellers offer valuations as a client service, often for insurance purposes.
What they don’t always consider is that a valuation is a legal document. The person who signs it is accountable for every conclusion it contains. If it’s ever challenged, you may need to defend it in writing, under questioning, or in front of a judge.
The question isn’t whether you offer valuations. It’s whether yours would hold up.
If the honest answer is “I’m not sure,” the best place to start is with the right foundation.
Building the Expertise
Our 2½-day Gem and Jewellery Valuation Course is designed for jewellers who want to do this properly.
It covers gemstone identification, coloured stone grading and valuation, diamond grading, and jewellery valuation techniques. These are the core competencies that underpin a defensible, professional valuation.
Laboratory-grown diamonds deserve particular attention, because they remain a significant source of confusion in the trade.
Handheld testers don’t distinguish between natural and lab-grown stones. They identify Type IIa diamonds, which then require further laboratory testing to determine origin. Not all laboratory-grown diamonds are Type IIa either, so a negative screening result doesn’t tell the full story.
Correct identification requires the right equipment, the right procedures, and the experience to interpret what the results actually mean. Even our own advanced instruments occasionally produce overlapping results that require further testing before we can reach a conclusion. That’s not a flaw. It’s the reality of working at this level of precision.
A skilled surgeon doesn’t just know the procedure. They know what to do when the textbook answer doesn’t apply. Jewellery identification at this level is no different. The equipment matters. The interpretation matters more.
Let the Laboratory Carry the Weight
For jewellers who’d rather not invest in specialist equipment or spend time away from the sales floor, there’s a practical alternative: let us handle the valuations on your behalf.
We currently provide gem and jewellery valuations for many jewellers.
It works well for all of them. They offer a professional, credible service without the overhead, and because valuations bring clients through the door, they often lead to additional work: refurbishing pieces, replacing shanks, retipping claws, general repairs. The valuation becomes a gateway, not just a transaction.
As an independent third-party laboratory, our valuations are unbiased by nature.
If a valuation is ever questioned, we take responsibility. We explain our findings, field any challenge, and if necessary, appear in court on the jeweller’s behalf. That accountability transfers with the work.
Many jewellers add a margin to our valuation fee and generate a worthwhile income stream in the process. Others have taken out one of our laboratory retainers, gaining access to priority services and broader laboratory support.
If you’d like to attend the course or would prefer us to carry out valuations on your behalf, I’d be glad to hear from you. Please get in touch: jeremy@gemlab.co.za