Jewellery, documented
Documenting fine jewellery: certificates, hallmarks and appraisals
Fine jewellery is easy to describe badly and hard to replace without a good record. The metal, the hallmark, each stone and the certificate behind it are the details that let anyone identify a piece later.
Updated 10 October 2026
The details worth writing down
Start with what the piece is and what it is made of: the type, the metal and its fineness, the hallmark, and the weight if you have it. For a ring, note the size.
Then record each stone: what it is, its carat weight, cut, colour and clarity where they are known, and how many there are. A description that would let a jeweller pick your piece out of a tray is the standard to aim for.
Lab certificates and hallmarks
A lab certificate, such as one from GIA or IGI, gives a stone’s grades and a certificate number. That number is the most useful single fact you can record, because it lets an insurer or jeweller check the stone against the laboratory’s own record.
A hallmark is the stamp that shows the metal’s fineness, for example 750 for 18 carat gold or PT950 for platinum. Copy it exactly as it appears.
Why appraisals go out of date
An appraisal describes a piece at a point in time. Metal and stone prices move, and an appraisal that is several years old can describe the piece well but understate what it would cost to replace. Many owners renew theirs every few years.
loupe keeps your jewellery as a complete record, holds the appraisal and certificates in your documentation vault, and reminds you when an appraisal is three years old. It does not estimate what jewellery is worth.
Common questions
- Does loupe value my jewellery?
- No. loupe keeps jewellery as a record: the details, the stones and the papers behind them. An independent appraisal is the figure to rely on for insurance or sale, and you can keep it in your vault.
- What if my piece has no maker’s mark?
- Record it as unsigned and describe it carefully. A good description and photographs matter even more when there is no maker to refer to.
- Where do I find a certificate number?
- On the lab certificate itself, and often laser-inscribed on the stone’s girdle, which a jeweller can read under magnification.
loupe provides a market-value estimate, not a certified appraisal or financial advice, and is not an insurer. This guide is general information and may not reflect your circumstances.
Keep every piece worth knowing.
An ongoing market-value estimate and complete documentation for your whole collection.