Precious metal prices are rising – is it time to revalue your jewellery?

Gold and silver have enjoyed an exceptional year, with both metals reaching record highs. In January, gold valuations were 75 per cent higher than they were at the same time last year, while silver rose by more than 130 per cent over the course of 2025. For jewellery owners this is welcomed new – the pieces you already have could now be worth significantly more than you realise.

Whether you own heirloom items passed through generations, pieces purchased to mark special occasions, or a treasured collection built over time, the value of your jewellery may have increased alongside the surging price of precious metals. But unless your items have been professionally valued recently, your insurance cover may no longer reflect their true worth.

Why revaluing now matters

As gold and silver prices increase, the cost of replacing items made from these metals rise as well. A professional valuation ensures your insurance reflects their current worth, rather than outdated figures from years ago.

Regular valuations every two to three years or more, often during periods of rapid market growth, reduce the risk of underinsurance and provide important documented proof if you ever need to make a claim. High-value insurance providers frequently offer agreed value protection, giving clear certainty in the event of a loss. Keeping valuations up to date, alongside proper storage such as well-graded safes, help ensure valuable items remain both protected and well cared for. A well-graded safe is one that has been independently tested and certified to protect contents up to a specific value, often a requirement of specialist insurance policies.

Revaluation also offers a timely opportunity to reassess your insurance arrangements. Some items may now be valuable enough to need listing individually on your policy, rather than being covered under your general contents.

Looking after what’s valuable

With jewellery increasing in value, caring for each piece becomes even more important. Everyday wear can subtly dull gold or tarnish silver, affecting both appearance and long term condition. Regular, gentle cleaning helps maintain their beauty and preserve value.

For practical tips on how to care for your jewellery at home, you can read our detailed jewellery guide here.

Increased security

As the value of gold and silver continues to rise, it’s a great opportunity to take another look at how your treasured pieces are stored and protected. Higher replacement costs simply mean your jewellery is now even more precious and ensuring the right level of security helps safeguard that increased value. Reassessing where items are kept, or whether existing safes and alarm systems still meet recommended standards, can provide confidence that your cover remains fully effective.

It’s also critical to be mindful about how visible your jewellery can be. Social media posts can unintentionally showcase expensive pieces, while entertaining at home or even contractor access can unintentionally increase awareness of high-value items. A thorough check of who has household access and how and where pieces are kept can provide added reassurance. For those who regularly wear jewellery outside the home or take pieces overseas, rising values are a reminder to check that policy conditions are still being met. Some insurers apply additional requirements once items exceed certain thresholds, such as storing them in a specific type of safe when not worn. As values increase, pieces may cross these thresholds sooner than expected, so a quick review ensures protection remains seamless.

A perfect moment to reassess

The rise in precious metal prices is good news, but it also makes now the ideal time to take stock of what you own. Even within recent weeks, the price has swung by hundreds of pounds, driven by global events such as geopolitical tensions and shifting currency values. Given the market’s volatility, it is well worth making a diary note to check prices regularly.

A quick review of your jewellery box, followed by an up to date valuation, can ensure your treasured pieces remain properly protected for the future.

Sources:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c87r2700dq8o
https://www.jpmorgan.com/insights/global-research/commodities/silver-prices
https://www.lycetts.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/19022026-Vintage-Jewellery-Guide.pdf
https://www.imf.org/-/media/files/publications/weo/2026/april/english/ch1.pdf