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.
Many businesses on Jewelers' Row have been passed down through generations. For a family business with a long reputation, a single uninsured loss can threaten more than one sale, and coverage that matches the real value protects both the stock and the name.
Insured Shipping Options by Type of Jewelry Shipment
Different shipments carry different risks. The table shows what typically matters most for each.
| Shipment | Main risk | What to prepare |
|---|---|---|
| Wholesale and trade orders | Many pieces, high combined value | Itemized invoice, declared value matching it |
| Sale to an out-of-town customer | Disputes over what was sent | Photos of each piece, invoice, signature at delivery |
| Repair and restoration | Customer property in your hands | Written receipt of condition and agreed value |
| Pieces sent for appraisal | Value disputes, one-of-a-kind items | Photos, description, declared value agreed in advance |
| Estate and heirloom pieces | Hard to value after a loss | Appraisal, detailed photos, provenance notes |
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
Philadelphia's Jewelers' Row is often described as the oldest diamond district in the United States. Its core is Sansom Street between 7th and 8th Streets, with more jewelers along 8th Street between Chestnut and Walnut Streets, and the wider district spans several blocks of Center City. More than 300 retailers, wholesalers, designers, craftspeople, appraisers and traders work there, many in historic row houses.
Typical shipments from the district include:
- Finished pieces and custom work delivered to customers in other cities
- Loose stones and wholesale orders sent to dealers and retailers
- Repairs, restoration and appraisal pieces moving to and from craftspeople
- Estate and heirloom pieces moving to and from sellers
Unival is headquartered in the Los Angeles Jewelry District and insures and tracks shipments to and from Philadelphia. Read more about our secure transportation or see our overview of insured shipping in Philadelphia. If you ship to buyers in the other major jewelry markets, see insured jewelry shipping in New York and insured jewelry shipping in Los Angeles.
Holiday Peaks and Seasonal Shipping
Jewelry sales peak around the holiday season and Valentine's Day, and so do the parcels leaving the shop. Plan ahead, ship early, and insure every shipment for its full value, because a busy season is when a delay or a loss costs the most.
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.
