Valuations

A typical jewellery or fine arts valuation involves examining each item to assess the quality and arrive at a value judgement based on current market conditions. While two items may appear identical to the untrained eye, each has qualities that can effect the final valuation.
Different markets may vary enormously and this factor is taken into account by the valuer.

Consumers should only accept valuation certificates that clearly state the purpose of the document – eg insurance, deceased estate, auction, private sale or divorce settlement – and the type of market on which valuation is based. The different markets and reasons for a valuation include:

• Insurance Valuations

  A detailed assessment that estimates the likely replacement price at a traditional shop. This type of valuation is often used by insurance companies.

• Auction Reserve

  The minimum hammer price achievable in an ideal auction market, where time is not a factor. This figure does not include premiums or commissions which can vary at each auction.

• Non Forced Sale

  An estimate of a reasonable second-hand price between a willing buyer and seller in a fair or specialised market without time constraints.

• Forced Sale

  The price that can be expected when an article must be sold within a short time frame in potentially non-ideal market conditions.

• Second Hand

  A value for used items that takes into account the condition, desirability and collectability of the item.

• Private Sale

  A fair and reasonable second-hand price when someone wants to sell an item to a member of the public. In such cases, the valuer acts as an unbiased expert and GST, sales tax or duty is not included in the valuation.

• Divorce property settlement

  The Family Court may require a valuation of jewellery in a divorce settlement. Written directions are provided by the solicitors with the valuation usually based on “fair market value”, although this may vary.

• Deceased estate

  Again, written directions are provided by the lawyer or executor of the will, with the valuation reflecting the current market value or the requirements of the will.

• Quality assessment

  A quality assessment report is prepared for people who require an accurate appraisal of jewellery without a value statement.
  Such reports contain detailed technical information, with the assessments conducted in the same way as a full valuation. They are useful for people wanting to:

  • Prove ownership of an item that has been recovered after being stolen or lost.
  • Have their jewellery fully assessed but not for insurance purposes.
  • Differentiate between two pieces of jewellery that look identical.
  • Verify the authenticity of items.
  • Assist police with a description in the event of loss or theft.
  • Provide jewellery of similar quality to different people.
  • Assess jewellery that has been damaged.

Need to know more?

Please feel free to contact us if you’d like to have a chat about what sort of valuation is right for you.