Cost of Antique Jewellery
across the UK

# Antique Jewellery Trade Body Accreditation

The main UK trade bodies relevant to antique jewellery dealers and valuers include the British Antique Dealers' Association (BADA), which sets strict ethical standards and requires members to carry professional indemnity insurance, and the Antiquities Dealers' Association (ADA), which similarly enforces a code of practice and conducts regular audits. For jewellery specifically, the National Association of Goldsmiths (NAG) and the Assay Office network are important for verifying precious metal content and hallmarking compliance. The Gemological Association of Great Britain (Gem-A) provides qualifications for those assessing gemstones, while the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) accredits valuers who may handle high-value pieces for insurance or probate purposes. These accreditations mean a provider has met rigorous professional standards, maintains ongoing training, and adheres to strict codes of conduct designed to protect consumers.

To verify a provider's credentials, check their membership directly on the relevant trade body's website—BADA and ADA maintain searchable registers of accredited dealers, while Gem-A and RICS provide similar directories. Ask the dealer or valuer for their membership number and certificate, and confirm they carry professional indemnity insurance, which is typically a requirement for accredited members. It matters because accreditation provides you with a formal complaints procedure and financial protection if something goes wrong; if an accredited member acts dishonestly or provides a negligent valuation, you have recourse through the trade body's ombudsman process. Non-accredited providers may be perfectly honest, but you lose this layer of consumer protection and have fewer remedies if disputes arise.

Accredited antique jewellery providers typically charge 10–20% more than