Turn Your Divorce Jewellery Into a Fresh Start – With Fair, Respectful Valuations

We start by separating emotion from market reality in a way that still respects how significant the piece is to you. The valuation focuses on the intrinsic value of the diamond and metal – carat weight, cut, colour, clarity, brand, and gold or platinum weight – set against current wholesale and secondary‑market pricing. We explain why resale offers are typically a fraction of the original retail or insurance replacement value, outlining taxes, retail mark‑ups, and overheads that were baked into the original price. You see exactly how our offer is built, so it feels transparent rather than arbitrary.

Yes. All appointments are handled with strict discretion at our Rose Bay office, and there is no need to sit in a public retail environment or deal with strangers from online marketplaces. Documentation is provided professionally for your records or for your lawyer if required, but we do not share information with any third party without your explicit consent, except where required by law. The aim is to give you a safe, private space to make decisions without additional emotional exposure.

In many cases you physically can, but the smarter question is whether you legally and strategically should. Under Australian family law, higher‑value jewellery often forms part of the joint asset pool, meaning the court may treat the ring’s value as part of your share even if you have already sold it. Selling too early, or without disclosure, can create complications or “add‑backs” where the court pretends the money is still in your hands. We encourage you to speak with your lawyer and, where appropriate, obtain written agreement or clarity before selling; we can also help you understand how value and timing typically interact in these situations.

Insurance valuations reflect what it would cost to buy a brand‑new equivalent ring from a retail store today – including retail mark‑ups, GST, marketing, and showroom overheads. When you sell, buyers are paying for the underlying materials and resale potential, not the original retail experience. That is why resale offers are often 20–50% of the original retail price, depending on the diamond quality, brand, and metal weight. Our role is to explain this gap clearly so that a realistic, fair offer does not feel like one last insult from the relationship.

Feeling torn is completely normal. Many people experience a mix of guilt, relief, sadness, and even resentment at the resale price. We will never push you to sell on the day. Instead, we help you understand the legal and financial picture, then give you space to decide whether selling now, later, or not at all is right for you. Often, just having a clear valuation and knowing your options removes much of the anxiety, and you can choose to proceed when you feel ready rather than when you feel desperate.

Private marketplaces can sometimes yield higher prices but carry serious risks: scams, unsafe in‑person meetings, time‑wasters, and lack of legal documentation. Pawnshops may be fast but typically offer the lowest value. Specialist second‑hand jewellery buyers like Miller Hirsch strike a balance – combining security, professionalism, insured logistics where needed, and market‑aligned pricing. Our focus is not on the quickest possible transaction at your expense, but on a safe, transparent process that you can look back on without regret.