Events & AwardsMay 22, 2026
Instore Buys JA New York ShowThe deal closed this week, which means Instore will produce the JA NY show slated to take place this fall.
IndependentsApr 26, 2018
What Should Retailers Do with Unclaimed Jewelry?
Experts weigh in on best practices to follow when a customer doesn’t come back for their piece.
New York--A customer drops off a piece of jewelry for repair and, months later, she or he still hasn’t come back for it.
What can, and should, the retailer do with this unclaimed property?
The issue is all too common in the jewelry industry. To help retailers handle it, National Jeweler pulled together tips and suggestions from the Jewelers Vigilance Committee’s legal intern Morgan Cline and attorney Paul Mitassov.
Here are 5 things to keep in mind when dealing with unclaimed property.
1. Know the local laws.
Guidelines vary by state, so it’s important for each retailer to find out what the laws are for where they are located; there’s no central database of lost property law to which retailers can refer.
Some states require storeowners to hold unclaimed property for a certain period of time before they can get rid of it. Cline said these states also give specific procedures for disposal, which could include reporting the property to the state controller’s office before a sale or public auction legally can occur.
In most states, even if one follows all procedures and disposes of an item, businesses are only allowed to keep either the cost incurred when disposing of the item or the fees to which they’re entitled, such as for a repair, she added.
Anyone with more specific questions, or who needs help finding the laws in her or his state, can go directly to the JVC.
2. Have an unclaimed property policy in place.
The policy needs to explicitly outline what will happen to items that are not claimed, the time frame, and any return or credit policies.
For jewelers in states guided by specific laws, a store’s policy will be subject to the state’s established time frame and guidelines for handling unclaimed property. For retailers in states where there aren’t specific rules, the store should create a policy and timeframe of their own.
Mitassov suggested also including a clause making the client responsible for any resulting storage or administrative costs.
3. Make sure customers can see and have signed the policy.
The policy should, according to the JVC, be posted in a location visible and obvious to customers. It also should be printed on the store’s receipts or anywhere else a customer might think to look for the information—catalogues, brochures or the business’ website, for example.
It’s also important to have a written agreement signed by
each customer. This should be provided at the time the store takes possession of the item, the JVC said, and needs to be securely filed away.
The JVC and Mitassov both stressed the importance of gathering all pertinent contact information for clients, including addresses, phone numbers and email addresses, when they drop off an item.
4. Try to stay ahead of the issue.
Reach out to the customers as soon as the repair, sale or consignment contract is complete; don’t wait for the time period stated in the policy to get close to expiring.
If the customer can’t be reached at first, keep trying on a regular basis, Cline said.
Mitassov said when a significant amount of time passes with no reply, it’s important to clearly state the issue and provide a list of steps the client needs to take to avoid property disposal, when applicable, and state the deadline again.
He recommended sending certified letters, particularly for high-value items, to provide the best legal protection for the business.
5. Keep proper documentation.
The JVC said when a customer doesn’t pick up their item, having all of the proper paperwork will help prove due diligence in contacting them: copies of sent letters, the time and day telephone calls were made as well as whether a voicemail was left, any attempts to track down new contact information and any ads placed in public places.
For businesses in which disposal after a certain period of time is a part of the policy, Mitassov advises keeping detailed records of the method of disposal and the price received, if any, for the item.
He also suggested getting a third-party appraisal before the sale, particularly for high-value property.
The JVC and Mitassov both stressed the importance of gathering all pertinent contact information for clients, including addresses, phone numbers and email addresses, when they drop off an item.
4. Try to stay ahead of the issue.
Reach out to the customers as soon as the repair, sale or consignment contract is complete; don’t wait for the time period stated in the policy to get close to expiring.
If the customer can’t be reached at first, keep trying on a regular basis, Cline said.
Mitassov said when a significant amount of time passes with no reply, it’s important to clearly state the issue and provide a list of steps the client needs to take to avoid property disposal, when applicable, and state the deadline again.
He recommended sending certified letters, particularly for high-value items, to provide the best legal protection for the business.
5. Keep proper documentation.
The JVC said when a customer doesn’t pick up their item, having all of the proper paperwork will help prove due diligence in contacting them: copies of sent letters, the time and day telephone calls were made as well as whether a voicemail was left, any attempts to track down new contact information and any ads placed in public places.
For businesses in which disposal after a certain period of time is a part of the policy, Mitassov advises keeping detailed records of the method of disposal and the price received, if any, for the item.
He also suggested getting a third-party appraisal before the sale, particularly for high-value property.
More on Independents
The Latest
FinancialsMay 22, 2026
Richemont’s Jewelry Brands Lead the Charge in Q4The company’s jewelry sales were up in Q4 and the fiscal year, with Richemont raising prices in part because of the cost of gold.
CollectionsMay 22, 2026
Leigh Maxwell Celebrates 5 Years at Couture With ‘Bauble’ CollectionThe “Bauble” capsule collection of colorful one-of-a-kinds includes our Piece of the Week, the “Bauble” earrings, featuring rose zircon.
Brought to you by
All Eyes on Gold Prices. Alternatives to Look For. And What to BEWARE of in VegasAs gold prices rise, today’s retailers are looking for alternatives at prices that will appeal to wider audiences.
MajorsMay 22, 2026
Stuller’s New Packaging, Display Catalog Is Out The updated catalog has a newly dedicated section for gift wrapping.
Weekly QuizMay 21, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
PodcastsMay 21, 2026
Episode 5: Sotheby’s Frank Everett Puts the Auction Market in PerspectiveEverett covers colored stones’ surging popularity, the mellow return of the “Mellon Blue,” and his “The Devil Wears Prada” doppelgänger.
Events & AwardsMay 21, 2026
JA Announces Nina Pugliese Memorial ScholarshipThe new award, created in partnership with Henne Jewelers, honors the late designer’s legacy through supporting jewelry education.
Brought to you by
How Modern Training Is Becoming a Competitive Advantage for Jewelry RetailersWith the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.
SourcingMay 21, 2026
Botswana, Angola Join WFDBThe addition of the diamond-producing countries as nation affiliated members broadens the federation’s global representation, WFDB said.
CrimeMay 20, 2026
NYPD Warns of Jewelry Swap Scams Targeting SeniorsThe NYPD is warning elderly New Yorkers to keep their jewelry hidden when walking outside to avoid being a target.
Events & AwardsMay 20, 2026
Here Is Couture’s 2026 Education Lineup The sessions will run from Friday, May 29, to Sunday, May 31, with one being a live taping of an episode of Couture’s podcast.
Lab-GrownMay 20, 2026
Savannah Friedkin Jewelry Names New CEOFormer Stephanie Gottlieb Fine Jewelry executive Morgan P. Richardson is joining the lab-grown diamond jewelry brand.
WatchesMay 19, 2026
Here’s the AP x Swatch Pocket Watch That Caused PandemoniumThe $400 pocket watch is a blend of Audemars Piguet’s iconic eight-sided Royal Oak and Swatch’s unserious Pop watches from the ‘80s.
CollectionsMay 19, 2026
Chris Ploof’s New Collection Makes an Ancient Metal ModernWith gold prices on the rise, the “Modern Electrum” collection uses an alternative, non-tarnishing metal alloy composed of gold and silver.
IndependentsMay 19, 2026
Ellen and Michael Fruchtman Retire, Sell Marketing Agency Fruchtman Marketing has new owners, Erin Moyer-Carballea and Manuel Carballea, and will relocate to Miami.
ColumnistsMay 19, 2026
Peter Smith: The (Mostly) Immutable Sales TruthsIn a column for the 2026 State of the Majors issue, Smith lists 10 time-tested principles about sales that still ring true.
ColumnistsMay 18, 2026
Edahn Golan: What a K-Shaped Economy Means for Fine JewelryIn a column for the 2026 State of the Majors issue, Golan spells out how the growing economic divide in the U.S. is reshaping the market.
CollectionsMay 18, 2026
Foundrae’s New Collection Taps Into JoyThe “Limitless Expansion of Joy and Hope” collection evokes summer through colored gemstones and motifs of butterflies and florals.
CollectionsMay 18, 2026
Hancocks London Acquires Historic ‘Inchiquin’ EmeraldThe jewel, circa 1890, is from the late Victorian era and was owned by descendants of the last high king of Ireland.
Events & AwardsMay 18, 2026
Here Are the 2026 JCK Industry Fund Grant Recipients This is what the nine recipients plan to do with the funds.
AuctionsMay 15, 2026
American Collector Ponies Up Almost $17K for John Wayne’s RingThe Western star’s 14-karat gold signet ring sold for six times its low estimate following a bidding war at U.K. auction house Elmwood’s.
Events & AwardsMay 15, 2026
JA, MJSA To Sponsor Roundtable at TJSThe discussion, "Rebuilding the Jewelry Workforce," will take place on Saturday, May 16, in Troy, Michigan.
SourcingMay 15, 2026
State of Diamonds: The Way Forward for Natural DiamondsThe jewelry industry is reassessing its positioning as Gen Z reshapes the retail landscape and lab grown continues to gain market share.
AuctionsMay 14, 2026
White Diamonds Lead Sotheby’s Auction, Blue Diamond Does Not SellA matching pair of 18.38-carat, D-color diamonds from Botswana’s Jwaneng mine sold for $3.3 million, the top lot of the jewelry auction.
Supplier BulletinMay 14, 2026
A Diamond Is Forever Continues Desert Diamonds – Bridal ReinvigoratedSponsored by A Diamond Is Forever
SourcingMay 14, 2026
State of Colored Stones: The Spirit of Young American Gemstone CuttersThe next generation of lapidarists are entrepreneurial, engaged online, and see the craft as a means for artistic expression.
AuctionsMay 14, 2026
‘Ocean Dream’ Makes Waves at Christie’s, Fetching $17MIt was the second auction appearance for the fancy vivid blue-green diamond, which sold for $7.8 million at Christie’s Geneva 12 years ago.
