Gem and jewellery valuer, by appointment

Private owners, families dealing with an estate, jewellers, antique dealers and solicitors who need a written appraisal.

A fee per item or per hour, with extra for longer written reports. Repeat work comes from trade contacts and referrals from solicitors and jewellers.

• A recognised gemmology qualification
• Careful, methodical examination
• Clear report writing
• Building trust with clients

• Professional indemnity insurance, because a wrong identification or value can lead to a claim
• Insurance cover for clients' valuables while they are in your care
• Check whether your home insurance, landlord or mortgage lender allows clients to visit
• Anti-money laundering rules may apply if you also buy or sell high-value items, so check with HMRC
• Treated and synthetic stones can be hard to tell apart, so be honest about what you can and cannot confirm

Startup costs are typically around £3,000 to £12,000, depending on the testing equipment you buy, your insurance and how you set up your workspace. These are estimates, and any qualification costs should be checked separately.

Estimated monthly revenue is typically around £300 to £2,500, depending on how many appointments you take and what you charge per report. Hours per week are low at the start, so check what fits your own plans.

Check professional indemnity insurance and cover for clients' valuables in your care. Check whether your home insurance, landlord or lender allows client visits. If you also buy or sell high-value items, check anti-money laundering rules with HMRC.