Jewellery Workshop & Goldsmith Insurance UK
Jewellery workshops and goldsmiths in the UK need a combination of block cover for precious metal, stones and customers' goods, and liability cover for the work they do. The block section protects your own metal, scrap and findings, and customers' rings, watches and heirlooms left for repair, on an all-risks basis in the safe, at the bench and in transit, including send-outs to the assay office. Liability cover protects you if a customer's piece is damaged during stone-setting or engraving, if a product you made causes injury, or if an employee is hurt. Underwriters also want to know about hot work, gas torches, pickling and plating chemicals, casting and polishing machinery, how you secure stock overnight, and how much work is out with outworkers at any one time. Cover is usually placed with Lloyd's syndicates and specialist MGAs that understand bench jewellery, because standard shop or tradesman policies rarely deal properly with customers' goods.
Need jewellery workshop insurance?
Cover for customers' goods, metal stock, assay send-outs and workshop liability. Get a quote online or speak to a specialist broker directly.
Key facts at a glance
- Customers' goods are your biggest exposure. As bailee, you are responsible for pieces left for repair.
- Scrap counts as stock. Filings, lemel and offcuts hold real value and must be insured and secured.
- Hot work is rated. Torches, kilns and gas cylinders affect fire terms and conditions.
- Assay send-outs are transit. Pieces travelling to and from the assay office need transit cover.
- Workmanship damage needs care. Check how the policy treats damage while setting or engraving.
How are customers' goods left for repair insured?
Many claims arise from repair items, partly because sentimental pieces are often worth more than their owners realise. Issue a numbered repair receipt for every job, record a description and photograph, and agree a value in writing on higher-value pieces. Your terms should say what happens if work is uncollected. Keep customers' goods locked away overnight in the same graded safe as your stock, and count them within the safe limit.
Is precious metal stock and scrap covered?
Scrap is easy to overlook. A well-run workshop collects bench sweepings, polishing dust and filings for refining, and that material can build up to a meaningful sum. Insure it, store it securely and record when it is sent to a refiner.
What do underwriters ask about hot work and chemicals?
| Hazard | Typical underwriter question | Good practice |
|---|---|---|
| Torches and gas | Type of gas, cylinder storage, shut-off | Cylinders secured, valves closed at day end |
| Kilns and casting | Location, clearances, unattended running | Non-combustible surround, never left unattended |
| Pickling and plating | Chemicals held, ventilation, storage | Labelled, locked store, extraction where needed |
| Polishing machinery | Dust extraction, guarding, training | Extraction fitted, guards in place, staff trained |
Machinery such as polishing motors, rolling mills and laser welders can be covered for damage and, if needed, breakdown. Employers' liability is a legal requirement if you employ staff, and underwriters will ask about training and protective equipment.
Are items sent for hallmarking covered in transit?
The same applies to send-outs to stone setters, engravers, platers and refiners. Your policy should cover your stock and customers' goods at those trade premises and in transit, with limits that reflect how much is out at any one time.
What if a stone breaks during setting or engraving goes wrong?
Stones with inclusions, older settings and fragile materials such as emerald and opal carry more risk. Practical steps help:
- Inspect the piece with the customer and note existing damage on the receipt.
- Explain the risk to fragile stones and get written acceptance before work starts.
- Photograph the item before and after work.
- Confirm with your broker how the policy responds to damage while working.
Do goldsmiths need public and products liability?
If you also sell from a shop, read our retail jeweller insurance guide. The jewellers block insurance pillar explains the stock cover in more depth, and our bullion dealer insurance guide covers holding larger quantities of metal.
Frequently asked questions
Often yes, if stock is modest, there is a graded safe and an alarm, and hot work is managed safely. Home insurance will not cover the business.
Usually while they remain in your care, but set a clear collection policy in your terms so they do not sit indefinitely.
Tools and equipment are normally covered under contents or business equipment, with separate cover if you take them off site.
Yes. Tell your broker, because students using torches and tools changes the liability risk.
It can be, under a section for stock at trade premises and in transit. Check the limit and the refiner's own responsibility.
Specialist markets can still help. See our guide to insurance after a robbery or theft claim.
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