How much is your jewellery collection worth?
Most women of 40 have a jewellery collection worth a staggering £6,000, according to new research.
The findings revealed that many women are sitting on a hidden treasure trove of gold and diamonds.
The typical value of a woman's jewellery increases by £2,000 every 10 years as they reach middle age and add to their collections through gifts and their own purchases. So by the time she reaches 50, her jewellery is worth £8,000.
This will include up to 150 pieces with the most expensive item normally an engagement ring worth £3,000.
But what’s more surprising and upsetting really, only 33% of this jewellery is regularly worn. The remaining two-thirds are left neglected in a jewellery box because just 9% of women sell or remodel unwanted pieces.
Vashi Dominguez, founder of the jewellery brand Vashi.com who conducted the research, said: “Many women don’t realise their jewellery box is such a valuable treasure trove.
"These findings prove the continual popularity of jewellery. No matter her age, women love the feeling new jewellery gives them.
"They are consistently adding to their collections through their 30s and 40s. Women see fine jewellery as an investment they can enjoy for life.
"Many affluent 50-year-olds are sitting on jewellery collections worth more than £40,000 – far more than the average annual wage.
"You find that women are extremely reluctant to sell jewellery, even jewellery not worn for years. Of course, the jewellery brings poignant memories of a relative, lover or particularly happy period with their partner so women will hold on to it even if they don’t like the piece aesthetically anymore.
"Women also keep jewellery they don’t wear for lack of independent trustworthy quotes; it can be a challenge to receive fair and accurate jewellery valuations from the high-street.”
The typical woman in her early 20s has jewellery worth £2,000. This average figure rises to £4,000 by the time a woman hits 30 – with marriage likely to substantially boost the value of a woman's collection.
A 30-year-old will typically have 50 pieces of jewellery and at least one diamond - either in a ring or necklace. The value of her collection will increase on average by £2,000 over the next two decades, with women typically adding five new pieces each year. By the time a woman is 40, 54% reckon their jewellery is worth at least £6,000. One in five 40-year-olds have jewellery worth in excess of £25,000 - with engagement rings in this wealthier group averaging £11,000. And 16% of 50-year-olds are sitting on jewellery collections worth £40,000.
An engagement ring is the most valuable piece in 78% of women’s collections.