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.
Houston's jewelry trade is spread across the city rather than packed into one district, so shipments start from offices, showrooms and workshops in many places. Consistent paperwork and consistent coverage matter even more when every sender works differently.
Insured Shipping Options by Type of Sender
Different senders ship different things. The table shows what typically matters most for each.
| Sender | Typical shipment | What matters most |
|---|---|---|
| Wholesale and trade dealers | Loose stones and parcels | Weight and count records, declared value matching the invoice |
| Independent jewelers | Orders to out-of-town customers | Photos of each piece, invoice, signature at delivery |
| Custom studios and designers | Commissions and repairs | Written receipt of condition and agreed value |
| Luxury retailers | Client deliveries and transfers | Itemized list, declared value matching it |
| Estate and consignment dealers | Appraised and one-of-a-kind pieces | 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 Across Houston's Jewelry Trade
Houston's jewelry trade is spread across several clusters. Luxury retail is centered on the Galleria and Uptown along Post Oak Boulevard, and on River Oaks District. Independent jewelers, custom designers and small trading companies work west of the Galleria along Westheimer and Richmond, wholesale dealers operate downtown along Main Street, and the suburbs of Sugar Land and Katy add more jewelers.
Typical shipments from Houston jewelers include:
- Orders and client deliveries to other cities and states
- Loose stones sent between dealers and buyers
- Custom pieces and repairs moving to and from workshops
- Estate and consignment pieces moving to and from sellers
Unival is headquartered in the Los Angeles Jewelry District and insures and tracks shipments to and from Houston. Read more about our secure transportation or see our overview of insured shipping in Houston. For other Texas and West Coast shipments, see insured jewelry shipping in Dallas and insured jewelry shipping in Los Angeles.
Custom Work, Repairs and Consignment
Custom work, repairs and consignment 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.
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.
