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Registered Valuer
As a registered valuer, you are a member of the Institute of Registered Valuers (IRV) or the Jewellery Valuers Association (JVA) for authenticity and insurance. It’s most likely you have certification to acknowledge your registered status.
In the jewellery industry, ‘valuer’ is its own profession, with valuation, gemmological and diamond grading education and training as well as qualifications. After the training and before becoming registered, you generally build experience over five years.
You might work in a retail jewellers, an auction house or as an outsourced freelance valuer or simply with your own clients.
Your job is to identify and assess metals, gems and diamonds to a fine degree and place a value on them for resale or insurance. You might work with antiques, family heirlooms and designer and bespoke pieces of jewellery.
Jewellery valuers assess jewellery for several reasons, most usually:
- to insure items of jewellery
- for HMRC probate
- for a divorce settlement
- for a family dispute
Length of Training
5 years minimum to reach registered valuer status
3 years minimum performing valuations
Salary Expectations
£30,000-45,000
Qualification Requirements
Experience
You have history in retail, auction house or re-commerce sector (in secondhand, antiques or pawn shops).
To become a registered valuer, you need gemmological qualifications or qualifications in diamond grading or sorting. Ideally, you have applied your skills and knowledge in the jewellery industry for 5 years.
After building your experience, you can become a member of the Institute of Registered Valuers (MIRV) or a fellow of the Institute of Registered Valuers (FIRV).
Knowledge
You stay up to date with market rates for stones, metals and styles. You also keep your eye on trends and understand the wholesale and retail costs of pieces.
Skills
• Able to record and relay assessment results professionally manner
• Knowledgeable, skilful and experienced to value, assess and grade jewellery
• Diplomatic and able to manage emotive discussions
• Discreet – you are privy to confidential information
• Empathetic as subjects and conversations can be sentimental
• A good head for business and understand maths for profitability
Personal Attributes
• A people person
• Take pride in your appearance and have a professional demeanour
• Reliable and trustworthy – you handle other people’s valued items
• Organised and methodological
• Understanding geology, base compounds and material make up to verify authenticity
Qualification Requirements
You need at least 5 years’ experience in the jewellery industry, as well as gemmological and diamond grading qualifications and your recognised valuation appraisal qualification from the Institute of Registered Valuers or the Jewellery Valuers Association.
To register as a valuer, you complete a suitable valuing qualification, such as the ATHE Level 3 JET Foundations of Appraisal Practice. You were likely either a qualified gemmologist or a qualified diamond grader / assessor before you took the qualification.
As a registered valuer, you can continue your professional development with qualifications like ATHE Level 3 JET Certificate and Foundations of Appraisal Practice Qualification.
Role also Called
Valuer, Registered valuer, Jewellery appraiser, Gemmologist, Diamond grader, Diamond assessor
