Here are a few questions and answers:

Why do I really need a valuation?
As stated above, the value(s) are written and adjudged by the appraiser (valuer), and therefore will be accepted by the Police, legal profession, loss adjusters, insurance companies etc. There can be no dispute. It also proves ownership, very useful if you happen to go abroad with that nice diamond ring, and then Customs ask you if you bought it whilst  away!
What do I get for the fee you charge?
Firstly, each item is carefully examined. All will be described  in full; size, carat, shape, style, weight, hallmarks etc etc. Then a value is placed onto the item, and this is written to the appraisal. A photograph is then taken and attached to the schedule. A copy of the written part is made for your insurers, and placed into a folder.
I worry about security, are you insured?
Yes. Your goods are firstly taken in by highly trusted staff, and a brief description is made of each item. Items are held in safes and are secured. We also do not take addresses, as we feel that this may breach your security.
What happens if I have to make a claim?
Firstly, don't panic. Each appraisal comes with full instructions on what you should do. Ring us should you be worried, your valuer is always available to give you sound advice. 
I have some items that have purchased abroad, can you value them?
Yes, but we do ask to see the receipt and a valuation if provided. Some customers bring items to us to be valued and believe that the onus is on the valuer to ascertain a value without any provenance. However, this should not be the case. It is the responsibility of the owner of the goods to provide receipts (whatever the age) past valuations, or any other relevant information, indeed insurers may refuse to settle a claim if it is discovered that you did in fact have this information but did not offer it to the appraiser.  Any valuation we provide is null and void should any information appertaining to the item(s) valued subsequently be discovered or profferred.
I have some various items of jewellery that I am unsure if the stones are real or not, can you test them?
We are not a gem laboratory. We can indeed look with various equipment at our disposal to try to determine how genuine a stone is. The appraiser will take great care to give you the advice you require. However, most stones are difficult to test whilst in their settings, and if you need this to be a 100% guarantee, then the stone should be sent to a gem lab, and removed from its setting. There is an extra cost for this service. Any valuation given by our appraiser comes with a disclaimer that all stones are untested, and therefore any stone examined can only be the appraiser's opinion.  Please read carefully notes that are enclosed with all valuations undertaken, they are very important.
What happens if I am unhappy with my valuation?
If you have read the document and you are not satisfied with it, immediately contact the appraiser, this must be done within five days of the document date. Explain the points you are unhappy with, and he will usually discuss in full your queries.  If you are still unhappy, then you should put your complaint in writing to Mr Christopher Hart, and again this will be dealt with hopefully to your full satisfaction.  Simply, whats the worth of an item when someone has died and you need a value for the Inland Revenue to add the total worth to the value of the estate. This is up to five times less than the Insurance Value, so when its valued, do not use this as a basis for insurance. We examine the items in the same way, and a value at the time of the death of the person is made. Basically its a value that is the lowest realisable, possibly at auction.

VALUATION FOR PROBATE 

WE HAVE A USEFUL LEAFLET WE CAN SEND YOU, PLEASE CONTACT US AND WE WILL GLADLY SEND IT TO YOU, WITH A LIST OF CHARGES

OTHER VALUES

We are often asked by a customer 'whats this worth', and an item is thrust in front of us and we magically have to give them a value there and then. This just cannot be done, its un-professional and frankly not worth the figure we give. Mostly, when we are asked this, they are wishing to know how much they can sell it for. A rough idea for a modern piece is that something one has purchased in the past ten years for say £100 in a shop, well its worth about £30. Not always the case, but a rough guide. Older pieces, antique pieces, or items bought many years ago will have a different formula. A pair of shoes, a dress or a car, anything, very many items are worth a fraction of what was paid for them new, why should  jewellery be any different? Its bought to be worn, loved, enjoyed, any value is a bonus.
A new thing we are now asked is the value of items bought via such companies as shopping channels. These items come with highly inflated start prices, this is not the actual value. Yes many items offer good value, but nothing like the start value they give, and one should be a little wary of these figures. In essence, most things are worth what you have paid for them.

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY NEED TO ASK US ABOUT A VALUATION, THEN PLEASE CONTACT US AT THE TELEPHONE NUMBERS GIVEN, OR E MAIL enquiry@charleshart.co.uk

SOME OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING A VALUATION

Contact your insurers and send them a copy of the valuation should you lose an item

We keep copies of your valuation, however copies of photographs are not always held by us so we do advise that you keep your valuation in a safe place.

With stone set jewellery you should have it checked annually to ensure that gems are set safely and are not loose.

We do not advise that you sleep with your necklets or bracelets on as this increases wear and tear.

When taking items abroad, it is a good idea to take a copy of a relevant valuation.

Be aware however that you may not be covered at all for the loss! So many customers come to us for a post loss valuation only to discover that they only have contents insurance. This is in fact not much good if you have lost or damaged the goods outside of your home, and indeed insurers may not even cover you for theft. A good ALL RISKS policy is the only answer, speak to your insurers, and make sure that your values are up to date. Do not rely of cost of living index to cover the cost to replace your items. Cheese and butter do not go up and the same rate as gold and diamonds. 2006 has seen a 30-40% rise in metal prices alone, diamonds and coloured stones by up to 25%. Most valuations even a year old are well down on the value it would be to replace today, so ensure your valuation is re-typed as soon as possible. We offer a reduced rate for this service if we have valued previously

INSURANCE

We are now able to offer a full range of insurance for jewellery and watches. We will shortly be placing full details here, but should you wish to insure your valuables and you qualify as the list below, then please ring us for full details on 01373 462090 or email chart.astins@btopenworld.com We can insure ANY item of jewellery/watch/valuables (not pictures or works of art) up to a total value of £10,000
There is a single item limit of £5000 for an item of jewellery etc, £1500 for a watch.
We can arrange insurance immediately, and there are no proposal forms.
Cover is ALL RISKS, and you are covered for ANY loss or damage, whether accidental or not
In the event of a claim, there is NO EXCESS to pay. However claims must be made via Charles Hart, and replacement/repairs are also via Charles Hart. To give you an idea of cost, this works out at £2.75 per hundred pounds (incl tax), minimum sum insured is £100. You can only purchase increments of £100, so should you item be worth £175, it will cost you £5.50, and item worth £1175, would cost you £33.00 pa.
We can also offer you at a reduced rate, THREE years cover, please enquire.

Should you however not be able to qualify for the above, then we can arrange special cover for items over £5000, watches over £1500, or totals exceeding £10,000 via our insurers, TH March (www.thmarch.co.uk).

REMEMBER, YOUR VALUER IS YOUR JEWELLER. His advice is always available and very often given free. If you use your jeweller he will always be there to assist you...use it or lose it!