Jewellery valuations in Horsham
Insurance and probate valuations, with written certificates
Most people don’t think about getting jewellery valued until something forces the issue – an insurance renewal, a bereavement, a solicitor asking for paperwork. At Sakakini on the Carfax we carry out professional valuations for insurance and probate purposes, and we issue written certificates that insurers and solicitors will accept.
Bring your pieces in and we’ll assess them properly. Metal, stones, hallmarks, condition, current market, examined carefully, not eyeballed and guessed at.
Insurance valuations
An insurance valuation establishes the replacement value of a piece – what it would cost to replace it with something equivalent today. That figure is usually higher than what you paid, higher than resale value, and definitely higher than whatever someone offered you at a car boot sale. It has to account for retail prices, current labour costs, and where metal and stone prices are right now.
If your jewellery isn’t properly valued on your policy, you’re either underinsured and a claim won’t cover the actual loss, or you’re paying premiums on a number that made sense a decade ago. Neither is great.
We issue written certificates you can give directly to your insurer. Insurers generally recommend revisiting jewellery valuations every three to five years, metal and stone prices move more than most people realise.
Probate valuations
When an estate needs to be administered, HMRC requires an accurate valuation of assets including jewellery. A probate valuation is based on open market value at the date of death, which is a different figure from insurance replacement value, calculated differently, and needs to be documented separately.
If you’re dealing with an estate and need to work out what’s there and what it’s worth, bring the pieces in. We’ll go through them carefully and provide the written documentation the solicitor or HMRC needs. We know this usually comes at a hard time, so we keep it as straightforward as we can.
Written valuation certificates
For both insurance and probate we provide formal written certificates covering each piece – metal, stones, weight, condition, hallmarks where present – along with the valuation figure and the basis for it. That’s the paperwork your insurer or solicitor is asking for.
Common questions
How much does a valuation cost?
We charge a fee for written certificates, based on the number of pieces. Come in or give us a call and we’ll quote you before you commit to anything.
How long does it take?
Most valuations are done while you wait or ready within a few days, depending on how many pieces there are.
Do I need an appointment?
For valuations it’s worth calling ahead, we need to set aside the right amount of time. If you just want to talk through what’s involved first, come in any time.
Can I leave the jewellery with you?
Yes. If you’d rather not wait, we’ll take in the pieces, give you a receipt for everything, and agree a date to collect.
My jewellery was valued years ago, is that still valid?
For insurance purposes, probably not at the right figure. Metal and stone prices have moved a lot in recent years and an old valuation is likely to understate what it would actually cost to replace. Worth refreshing.
Come in and talk to us
Twenty years on the Carfax. Family-run, independent, no scripts. If we can’t help, we’ll say so and tell you who can. Monday to Saturday, no appointment needed for most things.
45 Carfax, Horsham, West Sussex, RH12 1EQ
Open Monday to Saturday
9am - 5pm
