Deceased estate jewellery. Written valuation, handled with care.
When jewellery forms part of a deceased estate, those administering it — whether executors, administrators or family members acting informally — often need more than an approximate figure. They need written documentation: a record of what exists, what it is made of, and what it is worth.
Fair Vintage provides written assessments of jewellery from deceased estates across the UK. Our postal service means you do not need to travel. Our documentation is clear, itemised and suitable for use in estate administration. And our process is designed to be as straightforward as possible during what is often a difficult time.
Concerns we hear from executors
"I need documentation for probate but I don't know what the jewellery is worth or who to trust."
We provide a written, itemised assessment of each piece — metal type, condition, our valuation, and the basis for it. You can share this with your solicitor or probate specialist as supporting evidence.
"Some beneficiaries want to keep pieces. I can't sell everything — I need to know what the estate holds."
Our written valuation documents every piece we assess. Each item receives an individual written purchase offer, so beneficiaries can choose which pieces to retain and which to sell. Nothing is treated as a bulk lot.
"I'm worried about sending valuable items through the post — what if something goes wrong in transit?"
We provide specialist packaging and arrange full insurance cover for the declared value of all items sent to us. The return journey is also fully insured at our cost. You are not at risk at any stage.
"I'm not sure if some pieces are genuine gold or silver — could we be misled about what we have?"
Physical assessment allows us to identify hallmarks and test metal composition accurately. We will tell you precisely what each piece is — including if it is not what it appears to be — and our valuation will reflect the facts rather than assumptions.
What our written valuation includes
| Field | What we document |
|---|---|
| Item description | Type of piece (ring, brooch, necklace, etc.), design, period style if determinable, any maker's marks or signatures |
| Metal composition | Metal type (gold, silver, platinum, base metal), hallmark details including carat, assay office and date letter where present |
| Stones or features | Visible gemstones identified by type and approximate size; condition of settings; any notable features |
| Condition assessment | Honest description of wear, damage, missing elements, or repairs — nothing is concealed |
| Market value | Our assessment of current open-market value for estate administration purposes |
| Purchase offer | A separate written figure representing what we are prepared to pay — this may differ from market value and is always clearly distinguished |
| Date of assessment | The date on which the physical assessment was carried out, relevant for probate valuations |
If you are acting as an executor and require a valuation for probate purposes without necessarily intending to sell, please contact us directly to discuss your specific requirements. We can adapt our documentation to serve your needs, though we always recommend confirming with your solicitor what standard of evidence is required in your case.
The process, step by step
-
Contact us with photographs and a brief overview Email support@fairvintage.co.uk or call 01234 815116. Tell us briefly what the estate contains, whether you have a probate timeline to work to, and what you need from the valuation. Photographs help us give an initial indication of scope and value before anything is posted.
-
We send specialist insured packaging Once we have agreed to proceed, we dispatch specialist padded jewellery packaging with full insurance documentation. Everything is arranged and paid for by us.
-
Items arrive and are logged on receipt Every item is individually logged on arrival, cross-referenced against any inventory you have provided. You receive confirmation of safe receipt.
-
Physical assessment and written documentation Each piece is assessed: hallmarks read, metal tested where required, stones identified, condition noted. We produce a written document itemising every piece with the details listed above.
-
Written valuation and purchase offers delivered You receive the written valuation and individual purchase offers. You can accept all, some, or none. Anything not purchased is returned fully insured at no cost to you.
Common questions from executors
Is your written valuation suitable for probate purposes?
Our written valuation documents each item with a description, our assessment of its composition and condition, and a market value figure. Many executors use this documentation as supporting evidence in estate administration. However, we always recommend confirming with your solicitor or probate specialist what standard of documentation HMRC or the probate registry requires in your specific circumstances, as requirements can vary. Our probate collection guide has further detail on this.
Do you value pieces even if the estate does not intend to sell them?
Yes. If you require a written valuation for probate or estate administration purposes only — with no intention of selling — we can provide this service. Please contact us directly to discuss, as the process differs slightly from our standard buying assessment.
What if beneficiaries wish to keep some pieces and sell others?
This is very common. Our written valuation covers every piece we assess. Beneficiaries can then decide which items to retain and which to sell to us. We make individual written purchase offers on each piece, so there is no obligation to sell the whole collection. See our estate jewellery service for more on partial sales.
How is jewellery insured while in transit to you?
We provide specialist padded jewellery packaging with full insurance cover for the declared value of the items. The package travels on a tracked, signed-for service. Insurance is arranged and paid for by us — there is nothing for the executor to arrange or pay. The same applies to the return journey if items are not purchased.
We handle estate jewellery with the care it deserves.
Get in touch to discuss your specific situation. We work at your pace and understand that estate administration has its own pressures and timelines.
support@fairvintage.co.uk · Free insured postage both ways