Why Jewelry Needs More Than Standard Carrier Coverage
Jewelry holds a great deal of value in a small parcel, which makes it easy to lose and attractive to thieves. Carriers usually cap their liability for jewelry far below its real value, and many add extra restrictions for loose stones and precious metals.
A declared value is not the same thing as insurance. It states what you say the shipment is worth, but the carrier's own limit can still decide what is paid. With full-value insurance, the declared value of the shipment is covered, up to $150,000 with Unival.
For a wholesaler shipping a showroom's worth of stock, or a boutique delivering a client's order, the difference decides whether a lost parcel is replaced or absorbed as a loss.
Insured Shipping Options by Trade Channel
Wholesale and retail shipments carry different risks. The table shows what typically matters most for each.
| Shipment | Main risk | What to prepare |
|---|---|---|
| Wholesale orders from a showroom | Many pieces, high combined value | Itemized invoice, declared value matching it |
| Samples and line pieces for buyers | Several legs, repeated handling | Itemized list, photos before and after each leg |
| Retail orders to out-of-town customers | Disputes over what was sent | Photos of each piece, invoice, signature at delivery |
| Special orders and repairs | Customer property in your hands | Written receipt of condition and agreed value |
| Estate and consignment pieces | Hard to value after a loss | Appraisal, detailed photos, consignment agreement |
Whatever you ship, the declared value should match your paperwork. A value that is too low can reduce what is paid out if you need to make a claim.
Shipping Jewelry From Buckhead and AmericasMart
Atlanta's luxury jewelry retail is centered on Buckhead, where Lenox Square, Phipps Plaza and the Buckhead Village District bring together high-end jewelers and boutiques. On the wholesale side, AmericasMart Atlanta is a major wholesale marketplace with permanent fine jewelry showrooms that are open year-round and serve retailers across the region.
Typical shipments from the Atlanta jewelry trade include:
- Wholesale orders sent from showrooms to retailers in other states
- Samples and pieces sent to buyers and markets and returned afterwards
- Client orders delivered from boutiques to customers in other cities
- Repairs and special orders moving to and from workshops
Unival is headquartered in the Los Angeles Jewelry District and insures and tracks shipments to and from Atlanta. Read more about our secure transportation or see our overview of insured shipping in Atlanta. For other Southeast and West Coast shipments, see insured jewelry shipping in Miami and insured jewelry shipping in Los Angeles.
Samples, Memo and Market Shipments
Samples, memo goods and pieces sent to a market belong to the sender until they are sold. Ship the outbound parcel and the return parcel as separate insured shipments, each with its own itemized list and declared value, so nothing is left uncovered on the way home.
Photograph the pieces before they leave and again when they return. Any difference is easier to resolve when both sets of photographs exist.
What Affects the Cost of Insured Jewelry Shipping?
The price has two parts: the shipping and the insurance on the declared value. Insurance follows the declared value, so a single high-value stone costs more to cover than a box of lower-value pieces. The shipping price depends on the destination, delivery speed and handling requirements.
We quote each shipment before it moves. Get a quote with the item type, declared value, pickup location and destination.
How to Pack and Document Jewelry for Shipping
Careful packing and good records prevent most claim disputes. Before you ship, check the following:
- Keep the invoice, appraisal or grading report for every item.
- Photograph each piece, including any inscriptions, serial numbers or certificate numbers.
- Place loose stones in sealed packets and pad them inside a rigid inner box.
- Pack finished pieces so they cannot move or scratch each other.
- Use a plain outer box with no jewelry branding or description of the contents.
- Include an itemized packing list and keep a copy for your records.
