Missing Diamond Claims Surge in Value and Frequency
New data from insurance giant Aviva reveals a concerning trend: the average value of missing diamond claims has skyrocketed by a third, rising from £7,618 in 2024 to £10,157 in 2025. This increase of over £2,500 annually highlights growing financial risks for jewellery owners across the UK.
Sentimental and Financial Stakes Are High
Ann Owen, Managing Director of Aviva Private Clients, emphasised the dual importance of engagement jewellery. "Engagement jewellery, whether a ring, bracelet or other treasured piece, carries huge sentimental value, which is why having the right level of cover is so important," she stated. The analysis, drawn from Aviva Private Clients claims data, specifically examined losses where "diamond" was noted in the description, targeting high net worth individuals.
Alongside the value surge, Aviva recorded a 13% increase in missing diamond claims from 2024 to 2025. This uptick underscores the need for vigilant protection of precious items.
Insurance Recommendations for Jewellery Owners
Aviva advises that high-value items can often be covered under the valuables section of standard home insurance policies, which typically include loss, theft, and damage. However, for particularly expensive pieces, listing them separately on a policy may be necessary to ensure full coverage, often for a modest additional cost.
Ms Owen added a crucial warning: "If you own a high-end piece of jewellery, keeping the valuation up-to-date is essential, especially for items that have been passed down through your family. The value of gold and diamonds, for example, has fluctuated significantly in recent years." She suggested that owners with multiple expensive items consider specialist high net worth policies for comprehensive protection.
Practical Tips to Protect Your Jewellery
Aviva has issued a series of practical suggestions to help safeguard high-value jewellery:
- Remove jewellery during everyday activities: Swimming, cleaning, gardening, exercising, or applying lotions can expose items to chemicals, knocks, and slippery conditions. Claims data shows multiple diamonds lost during gardening alone.
- Clean jewellery carefully: Avoid harsh methods that might loosen stones.
- Be mindful of when and where you wear jewellery: This can reduce the risk of opportunistic theft, such as grab-and-run incidents.
- Avoid over-sharing on social media: Thieves may target individuals who post photos of rings and other valuables online.
- Store items securely: Use high-quality safes, keep pieces separate to prevent scratching, and consider distributing items across multiple safes for extensive collections.
- Avoid extreme temperatures: Sudden changes can crack gemstones; do not leave jewellery in cars or conservatories.
- Obtain regular valuations: Updates ensure items are insured correctly. Keep records with details like weight, size, colour, and clarity of gemstones.
- Consider specialist cover: High net worth policies may offer higher limits than standard home insurance for valuable collections.
Survey Highlights Popular Engagement Stones
In a related survey commissioned by Aviva and conducted by Censuswide in March, more than 2,000 UK respondents ranked their top stones for engagement rings:
- Diamond
- Sapphire
- Emerald
- Ruby
- Pearl
This insight into preferences further underscores the widespread ownership of diamond jewellery, making the rise in claims a significant issue for many households.
