I know this may be a totally obvious question like 'a jewellery shop!'!!

But I have some rings and necklaces and a bracelet that I would like to know if it is worth anything so I can insure it if needed.
I got the jewellery from my nan about 20 years ago, some of it looks quite expensive but then I am no expert!!! Me trying to tell whether or not a stone on a ring is a diamond or a plastic thing is like asking me what breed of cats are their!!! I DONT KNOW! :)

And I really dont want to embarrase myself and for the jeweller to tell me they are costume jewellery!"!

Really, the best place to go is a reputable jeweller, the 'old fashioned' type I like best but thats me, they won't make you feel a fool and some costume pieces that are old can be quite valuable these days.

A lot of high street jewellers will not value jewellery anymore - preferring to use a service which does this for the customer and costs (from memory) around £40-00.  You may find a small independent jewellers willing to carry out an insurance valuation for you but of course they may also charge for the service.

As to whether or not gem set jewellery is real or not your only true source for confirmation is a jeweller as far as I know although often the metal in which gems are set is a better indication of whether or not stones are of value.  If set in silver for eg it is unlikely that the gem stones fall into a precious or sem-precious category.  Likewise if set in 9k or better 18k gold it is more likely that they are, certainly with older peices :)  Newer pieces are often set in metals of fashion/taste rather than the case in days gone by!  The hallmarks (if any) should be visible and easy enough to read if you have very good eyesight or a magnifying glass :)

HTH a bit, regards, Teri

check with the jewellery shop first, some charge a percentage of the valued items, so if the items are of high value you will have a larger fee to pay.

I have some pieces I want to get assessed, but as I also have a diamond bracelet that needs repair, and a ring to be re-sized, so I will find a jeweller who can sort it all out I guess.

Good Luck :)

Thanks for the replys xx
I have a silver horse shoe shaped bracelet that has individual silver metal clusters holding each indivdual stone all the way around, we have looked to see if there is a haul mark but all we can see is something on the biggest stone but can't make out what it is, for all I know it is plastic stone!! but it does sparkle really well making rainbow effect colouring, I also have a necklace of similar style that looks as though it could be a matching set.

I have two rings, one that has three stones on the top in a line, fairly big stones of a whiteish colour then there is silver metal on the top half of the ring holding the stones and then the rest of the ring is gold.
The other ring, all gold with like a flat top to it with two letters ingraved on it, there is a haul mark on the inside of this ring and the ring is fairly heavy for it size (quite a small sized ring).

I also do have a broach that has individual clusters holding different coloured stones in like a flower design, but my husband seems to think this is pasted!

I will have to do a search on local jewellers and see whether I can pluck up the courage to have then looked at without looking like a wolly!!

if you can see any numbers on the gold, 375 is 9 carat gold and 750 is 18 carat

silver is usually 925, don't know re platinum

Roux the Jewellers on Marmion Road, Southsea have a valuation day from time to time.
They bring down a certified valuer from the Guild of Valuers,London and they give you the works: a report with photographs and a valuation certificate to send to your insurer. They also upload your details to their website which can be accessed by the Police if items are stolen.
You just need to book a place and I think it was last July I had mine updated.