Jewellery care: why regular checks and valuations matter for households
Jewellery care isn’t just about keeping pieces looking their best, it’s about protecting items that often carry deep sentimental and financial value. For many households, jewellery is worn daily, inherited across generations or collected over time, yet it rarely receives the same structured attention given to financial assets.
Over the years, both condition and replacement cost can shift quietly. Without regular checks and updated valuations, high value jewellery can become underinsured without anyone realising.
How jewellery changes over time
Jewellery naturally evolves through everyday wear. Settings loosen, clasps weaken, stones shift and metals react to chemicals. These changes often go unnoticed until something goes wrong, a stone is lost, a clasp fails or a piece becomes damaged.
“Exposure to chemicals and daily use can gradually affect metals and gemstones in ways owners may not immediately notice.”
— Helen Doyle, Doerr Dallas Valuations
This matters because insurance typically assumes an item remains in the same condition as at its last valuation. If deterioration hasn’t been documented, the settlement you expect may not match the reality when a claim is made.
Regular jewellery care helps:
- Reduce avoidable risk
- Keep condition aligned with insurance expectations
- Prevent surprises at claim stage
“Jewellery care isn't about keeping pieces pristine, it's about reducing avoidable risk.”
— Francesca Orme, Doerr Dallas Valuations
Why regular valuations are essential
The jewellery market moves quickly. Rising material costs, scarcity of certain stones and increased artisan labour prices mean that a piece bought even a few years ago may now cost significantly more to replace.
“Because we see jewellery sales and valuations across the market throughout the year, we have a strong view of trends and price movements across different categories.”
— Jennifer Tonkin, Bonhams
For luxury watches and bespoke pieces, relying on original purchase prices or auction values can be misleading. Replacement cost, not resale value, is what matters for insurance.
This is why many experts recommend updating valuations at least every three years.
The silent risk of underinsurance
Underinsurance rarely begins with a single oversight. Instead, it builds gradually through:
- Wear and tear
- Outdated valuations
- Missing documentation
- Market changes
- Assumptions about condition
For households where jewellery may be inherited, gifted or part of long‑held family collections, this risk can be even more pronounced.
Regular jewellery care and up‑to‑date valuations help ensure your cover reflects the true cost of repair or replacement.
“Insurance assumes jewellery remains in comparable condition unless documented otherwise. If a piece has deteriorated over time, that gap often only becomes apparent when replacement is required.”
— Francesca Orme, Doerr Dallas Valuations
How NFU Mutual helps protect high value jewellery
NFU Mutual Bespoke Home Insurance is designed for customers with high‑value possessions that require more specialist protection.
It offers:
- Worldwide cover for high‑value items
- Protection tailored around your collection
- Support from trusted valuation partners
- Confidence that your cover reflects real world replacement costs
This ensures your protection performs exactly as expected when it’s needed most.
Next steps: keep your jewellery properly protected
Speak to your local NFU Mutual Agent
Your local agent understands the importance of protecting sentimental and high value pieces as part of a wider portfolio of valuable possessions. They can help you review your Jewellery and Watch insurance and discuss valuation options. Start by contacting your local NFU Mutual agency.
Arrange a professional valuation
Regular valuations ensure your jewellery is insured on the right basis. Learn more about valuation support through NFU Mutual’s trusted partners.
