Cart
0
Most households in the UAE have more gold and diamond jewellery sitting in a drawer than they'd ever think to add up — a wedding set, a few personalised pieces, something inherited from a mother or grandmother. Almost none of it is actually documented anywhere. If a piece is ever lost, damaged, or stolen, "I know roughly what it cost" isn't something an insurer, or you, can act on. Appraisal and documentation are the unglamorous part of owning fine jewellery, but they're what actually protects the investment once the piece leaves the shop.
Appraisal comes before insurance, not after
An appraisal is simply a written record of what a piece is — the metal purity, the diamond's carat and grade where applicable, and its current value. It's not a one-time formality; it's the document everything else gets built on.
Every piece from our High-End Jewellery line, and every piece across the wider collection, comes with an invoice that states the gold purity and the diamond specifications in writing — that's the starting point for any appraisal, and it's worth keeping safe from the day a piece is purchased rather than digging for it years later.
For older or inherited pieces that never came with paperwork, an independent valuer can issue one. Several operate out of Dubai's Gold & Diamond Park, and most jewellers, including us, can point you toward one for a piece that needs a first-time appraisal.
What a UAE insurer will actually ask for
- An itemised receipt or invoice — not a generic "jewellery" line, but each piece listed separately with its own value
- Clear photos of each piece from a couple of angles, including any engraving, hallmark, or maker's mark
- The certificate number, if the diamond or gemstone was independently graded by a lab
- For higher-value pieces, insurers often want a professional valuation rather than the original receipt alone, especially if the piece was bought some years ago
How this differs from authenticating a diamond
Appraisal and authentication get confused often, and they're not the same thing. Authentication confirms a stone is what it's claimed to be — our guide on how to tell if a diamond is real covers that side of it. Appraisal assumes authenticity and goes a step further, assigning a current monetary value for insurance or resale purposes. You generally need both documents on file, not one or the other.
Home insurance usually isn't enough on its own
Standard home contents policies in the UAE typically cap what they'll pay out per jewellery item, and that cap is often lower than people expect — sometimes a few thousand dirhams, regardless of what the piece is actually worth. Anything above that usually needs to be "scheduled" separately on the policy, or covered by a standalone jewellery insurance add-on.
This article is general information, not insurance advice — it's worth asking your own provider exactly how jewellery is treated under your specific policy before assuming it's covered, particularly for higher-value pieces like those in our necklace and ring collections.
Build a simple jewellery file
A folder — physical or digital — with the invoice, the certificate, and a few clear photos of each piece takes about twenty minutes to put together and is the single most useful thing you can do this week. Keep a running note of approximate current replacement value too, since gold prices move, sometimes significantly, year to year.
When to re-appraise
Every two to three years is a reasonable rhythm, and always after a piece has been resized or repaired, since that can affect weight and setting. A noticeable gold price swing is also a good trigger to update the file — a piece appraised a few years ago may be worth meaningfully more today than the number on its original receipt.
A few honest answers
- Does Piece of You offer insurance directly? No — we're a jewellery house, not an insurer. What we do provide on every purchase is the documentation a UAE insurer will ask to see.
- Is appraisal only for expensive pieces? No — even a modest everyday piece is worth having on file, since small claims add up and documentation costs little beyond the time it takes.
- Does a digital invoice count as proof? Generally yes, as long as it clearly lists the item, its specifications, and the price paid — keep a saved copy outside your inbox as well, in case the account it arrived in is ever inaccessible.
Ready to see it in person?
Explore the full Rings, Earrings, and Necklaces collections, every piece handcrafted in 18K gold with certified diamonds. Free UAE shipping, split payments with Tabby and Tamara, complimentary lifetime care, and a portion of every Soul Initiative piece given back — message us on WhatsApp if you'd like help choosing.
