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.
In a trade made up of small, independent businesses, one uninsured loss can hurt far more than it would a large retailer. Coverage that matches the real value keeps a single bad shipment from becoming a crisis.
Who Should Check What on a Jewelry Shipment
A jewelry shipment involves at least two people, and both have a part to play. This table shows what each should confirm.
| Party | Before shipping | On delivery |
|---|---|---|
| Sender or seller | Invoice, photos, declared value matching the paperwork | Confirm the signature and keep the proof of delivery |
| Recipient or buyer | Be available to sign and know what is arriving | Inspect the package and the item, and note any damage before signing |
| Customer sending a repair | Written receipt of condition and agreed value | Check the returned piece against the receipt |
| Bench jeweler or workshop | Written note of the piece and its condition | Compare weight and details with the sender's paperwork |
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 Jewelers Row and the Loop
Chicago's Jewelers Row District runs along Wabash Avenue in the Loop, mainly between East Washington and East Monroe Streets. A Chicago Landmark since 2003, it has been the city's center of jewelry, silver and watch manufacturing, trade and repair for more than a century. Its businesses are typically small and entrepreneurial, working from ground-floor storefronts and upper-floor offices.
Chicago's central location also makes it a natural starting point for shipments to both coasts and across the Midwest. Typical shipments from the district include:
- Custom and bespoke pieces delivered to clients in other cities
- Wholesale orders sent to retailers in other states
- Loose stones sent to buyers and dealers
- Repairs and service pieces moving to and from workshops
Unival is headquartered in the Los Angeles Jewelry District and insures and tracks shipments to and from Chicago. Read more about our secure transportation or see our overview of insured shipping in Chicago. If you ship to a buyer on either coast, see insured jewelry shipping in New York and insured jewelry shipping in Los Angeles.
Custom Orders, Repairs and Memo Shipments
Custom work, repairs and memo goods all involve pieces that belong to someone else. Treat each leg of the journey as its own insured shipment, with a written receipt of the piece and its agreed value, so the cover follows the piece wherever it goes.
For memo and consignment work, itemize every piece, record its value and make sure the declared value matches the memo paperwork.
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.
