What Actually Happens at a Jewellery Valuation Appointment? (Step by Step)

What Actually Happens at a Jewellery Valuation Appointment? (Step by Step)

Diamond Loupe | Melbourne Gold & Jewellery Buyers

For most people, selling jewellery is a once-or-twice-in-a-lifetime event — so it's completely normal to feel a bit unsure about walking into a valuation. What happens? What should you bring? Will you be pressured? Here's exactly what to expect at a Diamond Loupe appointment, start to finish, so there are no surprises.

Before you come in: the photo estimate

You don't have to start with an appointment at all. Most of our customers begin by sending photos of their pieces through our online form or WhatsApp — close-ups of the pieces, plus any stamps, hallmarks or paperwork. From that we'll give you an initial estimate: a genuine, informed starting point (not a bait number), always with the caveat that the final figure depends on inspecting and testing the actual pieces.

If the estimate sounds worth pursuing, you book a time. If not, no harm done and no follow-up hassle.

What to bring

• The jewellery — including the broken, mismatched and mystery pieces. Bring the lot; sorting what's valuable is our job.
• Any paperwork — certificates, receipts, old insurance valuations, original boxes.None of it is essential, but all of it helps.
• Photo ID — required under Victoria's second-hand dealer laws for any sale. It protects you as much as anyone; legitimate buyers always ask.
• Your questions — all of them. An unhurried appointment exists precisely so you can ask.

The appointment itself

It's private. No queue behind you, no strangers listening in. You sit down with an experienced valuer at our Melbourne office and take the time the pieces deserve.

Everything happens in front of you. Each piece is examined, weighed on visible scales, and tested for purity while you watch. Diamonds are assessed under the loupe — and yes, we'll happily hand it over so you can have a look at your own stone the way we see it.

The maths is shown, not hidden. For gold, you'll see the equation plainly: this purity, this weight, today's rate per gram. For diamonds and designer pieces, we'll explain what lifts the value beyond metal weight — the stone's qualities, the maker, the era, the demand.

You get your options, with real numbers. Depending on your pieces, that might be a straight sale offer, a trade-in towards our designer collection, a consignment proposal

through our dealer network — or a mix across different pieces. We'll give you an honest steer on which path suits what.

Then the most important part: you decide

Accept on the spot and be paid the same day. Take the written offer home and sleep on it.Compare us against other buyers — genuinely, go ahead. Or decide the sentimental value wins and keep the lot. Every one of those outcomes is fine by us, and none of them will earn you a pushy follow-up call.

We built the business on private, pressure-free appointments for exactly this reason: people make better decisions with time and information, and better decisions make for customers who come back and tell their friends.

Common worries, honestly answered

"My pieces probably aren't worth bothering with." Let us be the judge — people are routinely surprised. A sandwich bag of broken chains can add up to a proper sum at current gold prices.

"Will you think less of me for selling family pieces?" Not for a second. Jewellery is meant to be worn and enjoyed; turning unworn pieces into something useful honours them more than a dark drawer does.

"What if I say no after you've done all that work?" Then you say no. The assessment costs you nothing and obliges you to nothing. That's the whole point.

Ready when you are

Start with photos through our online form or WhatsApp, or go straight to booking a private appointment at our Melbourne office. Either way, you'll leave knowing exactly what your jewellery is worth and exactly what your options are — which is more than most people ever find out.

Book a private appointment →

Diamond Loupe is a trusted Melbourne gold and jewellery buyer with 20 years of international jewellery experience and membership of GIA, IGI and the JewellersAssociation of Australia.