What Happens During a Buy Appraisal at Miller Hirsch?

Before You Arrive

You don't need to prepare extensively. You don't need to have your jewellery cleaned, repaired, or presented in any particular way. You don't need documentation, though if you have insurance certificates, grading reports, or original receipts, bring them — they can occasionally provide useful context.

Most importantly, you don't need to have made any decision about selling. Many of our clients come to a buy appraisal simply to understand what they have. That is entirely valid and entirely welcome.

Book an appointment at a time that suits you. The appointment is private — you won't be assessed alongside other clients, and your visit is entirely confidential.

When You Arrive

You are greeted in a calm, professional environment. There is no showroom floor, no sales pressure, and no atmosphere designed to hurry you. You are here to receive information, and we treat that with the seriousness it deserves.

You'll be invited to sit and take your time. If you've brought multiple pieces, there's no rush to work through them all at once. If you want to talk through the background of a piece — where it came from, what it means to you, why you're considering selling — we listen. Context is sometimes relevant to the assessment, and in all cases it helps us understand your situation so we can be genuinely useful to you.

The Assessment

Once you're ready, the assessment begins. Lonn or Craig will examine your piece carefully and systematically, explaining what they're looking at and why at each stage.

For gold and metal items, this includes testing purity, assessing weight, and checking condition. You'll hear exactly what the current spot price is, what purity your piece is, and how both factors combine to produce the figure we arrive at. Nothing is withheld. If there are factors that affect the value — wear, damage, solder repairs, or mixed metals — they'll be pointed out and explained.

For diamonds, the assessment goes further. The stone is examined under magnification for cut quality, colour, and clarity. If you have a GIA or other laboratory certificate, it will be reviewed alongside the stone. You'll be told which aspects of the grading most affect the current market value, and — importantly — which aspects of the current market affect the price regardless of the grading. This includes the current wholesale market, the liquidity of the specific stone, and, where relevant, the presence and pricing of lab-grown alternatives.

For coloured gemstones — sapphires, rubies, emeralds, and others — the assessment considers colour quality, origin indicators, treatment status, and current buyer demand. Coloured stones require the deepest expertise of any category, and this is where the assessment takes the most time. You'll be walked through each factor clearly.

Throughout the assessment, you are encouraged to ask questions. If something isn't clear, say so. A good buy appraisal is one you understand, not just one you receive.

The Figure

At the conclusion of the assessment, you receive a figure. Not a range. Not a starting point for negotiation. A clear, specific number representing what Miller Hirsch will pay you for your piece.

Alongside that figure, you receive a written breakdown — a document that explains how each component of the assessment contributed to the total. Metal type and weight at current spot price. Stone quality and market factors. Condition and any relevant adjustments. Every element is documented and explained.

This written buy appraisal is yours to keep, regardless of what you decide to do next.

After the Assessment

Here is what does not happen: you are not pressured to make a decision. You are not told the offer expires in an hour. You are not given a pen and quietly expected to sign.

You are given your written buy appraisal and invited to take as much time as you need.

Some clients accept the offer on the day. They came ready to sell, they received a number they understand and trust, and they leave with immediate, same-day payment. Others take the document away, think it over, discuss it with family, or compare it with another offer. That is completely fine.

Some clients decide not to sell at all. Perhaps the number, while fair, doesn't suit their circumstances right now. Perhaps the process simply confirmed they weren't ready. They leave with a written assessment of what their piece is worth — useful information regardless — and with no pressure, no obligation, and no awkwardness.

The buy appraisal belongs to you. The decision belongs to you. The timeline belongs to you.

Answers to Questions You Might Have

Do I need to bring identification? For transactions that proceed to a sale, yes — we are required by law to verify the identity of sellers. A driver's licence or passport is sufficient. For the buy appraisal itself, no identification is required.

How long does the appointment take? Most buy appraisals take between 30 and 60 minutes, depending on the number of pieces and the complexity of the assessment. We don't rush.

Can I bring someone with me? Absolutely. You are welcome to bring a friend, family member, or adviser. Some clients find it helpful to have a second person present — for support, for a second opinion, or simply for company.

What if I have a lot of pieces? That's fine. We'll work through them at a comfortable pace. If you have a substantial estate or collection to assess, contact us in advance and we can ensure adequate time is allocated.

What if I've already received an offer elsewhere? Bring it. We'll review it alongside our own assessment and give you an honest view of how they compare. Our goal is for you to make the best decision for your circumstances, not simply to secure your business.

If you've been thinking about selling jewellery, gold, diamonds, or gemstones — or if you simply want to understand what you have — a buy appraisal at Miller Hirsch is the clearest, most honest starting point available to you.

Book your free buy appraisal with Miller Hirsch today — no obligation, no pressure, and a written explanation of every figure.