Why Jewelry Needs More Than Standard Carrier Coverage
Jewelry packs a lot of value into a very small parcel, which makes it easy to lose and easy to target. Carriers know this. They usually cap their liability for jewelry well below its real value, and they often 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 jewelers in Los Angeles, that difference decides whether a lost shipment is replaced or absorbed as a loss.
Shipping Loose Diamonds vs Finished Jewelry
Loose stones and finished pieces carry different risks, so they need different preparation. This table shows what to focus on for each.
| Item | Main risk | What to prepare |
|---|---|---|
| Loose diamonds and gemstones | Very small, easy to lose or swap | Grading report, sealed stone packets, photos of each stone |
| Finished jewelry | Damage in transit, high retail value | Invoice or appraisal, photos, rigid padded box |
| Memo and consignment pieces | Value disputes between parties | Itemized memo, declared value matching the paperwork |
| Repairs and custom orders | Customer property in your hands | Written receipt of condition and agreed value |
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 From the Los Angeles Jewelry District
The Los Angeles Jewelry District is one of the largest jewelry trade districts in the United States, with a reported total of nearly 5,000 jewelry businesses. Much of the trade is centered on Hill Street, Olive Street and Broadway, roughly between 5th and 8th Streets.
Many dealers, wholesalers and manufacturers work from multi-tenant jewelry buildings such as the International Jewelry Center, St. Vincent Jewelry Center and the Los Angeles Jewelry Center. Unival is headquartered in the same district, so pickups, hand-offs and questions are handled by a team based right there. Read more about our secure transportation.
Typical shipments from the district include:
- Wholesale orders sent to retailers in other states
- Loose stones sent to buyers, dealers and labs
- Finished pieces shipped to online customers
- Return shipments after trade shows and appointments
Unival also ships other valuables from the city. See our overview of insured shipping in Los Angeles for art, watches, metals and equipment.
Memo, Consignment and Trade Show Shipments
Memo and consignment are part of everyday business in the jewelry trade, and they create shipments that belong to someone else. Treat them like any other high-value parcel: itemize every piece, record its value and make sure the declared value matches the memo paperwork.
The same applies to trade shows such as JCK Las Vegas. Ship the outbound parcel and the return parcel as separate insured shipments, each with its own list of pieces and values, so nothing is left uncovered on the way back.
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 diamond 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 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 stone 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.
