FinancialsAug 15, 2025
In Q2 Results, Pandora Talks Tariffs, Q4 Plans The company had a solid second quarter, with sales of non-charm jewelry outpacing sales of pieces in its core collections.
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
Editors' Picks
Sponsored 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
EditorsAug 15, 2025
Piece of the Week: Etho Maria’s Showgirl-Approved Ruby Drop Earrings Taylor Swift dons the vibrant pair in new promotional imagery for her upcoming album, “The Life of a Showgirl,” set to release in October.
WatchesAug 15, 2025
Audemars Piguet Acquires Majority Stake in ManufacturerIts investment in micromechanics expert Inhotec will preserve skills essential to the watchmaking industry as a whole, said the company.
Brought to you by
Taking the Moment Head On: How Rio Grande Champions the Present & Future of Fine JewelryAs a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.
MajorsAug 15, 2025
Rio Grande Names New Marketing DirectorNicolette Bianchi joins the wholesale provider with more than 15 years of cross-industry experience in marketing and product development.
Weekly QuizAug 15, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsAug 14, 2025
In Midst of ‘Sardine Girl Summer,’ Pippa Small Looks to ‘Flounder Fall’Her new “Ocean” collection was inspired by Myanmar’s traditional articulated fish jewelry, with depictions of flounder, catfish, and more.
MajorsAug 14, 2025
Casio America Names New CEOLongtime Casio executive Yusuke Suzuki is the new president and CEO of Casio’s U.S. subsidiary.
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench JewelersThe Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.
SourcingAug 14, 2025
West Coast Orgs to Host Trading Event, Mixer in LAThe full-day sourcing and networking event, slated for Aug. 18, will be followed by the fifth annual Mega Mixer Summer Soirée.
TrendsAug 13, 2025
Cristiano Ronaldo Proposes With Gigantic Oval-Cut DiamondModel Georgina Rodríguez received a rock of an engagement ring, with her diamond estimated to be 35 carats, experts say.
SourcingAug 13, 2025
ICA Names 2025 Board of DirectorsThe board elected 9 new directors at its recent ICA Congress in Brazil.
TrendsAug 13, 2025
Colorado Jeweler, Whiskey Maker Collab on Ring GiveawayThree winners will receive a custom ring from Honest Hands Ring Co. inlaid with a piece of history from Denver-based distillery Stranahan’s.
SurveysAug 13, 2025
These Are The 25 Hottest Retailers, Says NRFJD Sports and Wawa were among the fastest-growing retail companies in the U.S. last year.
SourcingAug 13, 2025
Columbia Gem House Launches Winza Sapphires, RubiesThe new inventory, all untreated, features vibrant hues and unique bicolor combinations.
SourcingAug 12, 2025
Gemfields Sells Fabergé for $50MAcquired by a tech investor, the historic brand will continue to focus on jewelry, accessories, and timepieces.
Policies & IssuesAug 12, 2025
Higher Tariff on Chinese Imports Paused for 90 Days, Trump SaysPresident Donald Trump issued an executive order extending the pause on higher tariffs to November as negotiations with China continue.
CollectionsAug 12, 2025
Jacquie Aiche’s New Collection Harnesses the Energy of the ThunderbirdThe “Thunderbird Slab” collection features a thunderbird motif as a symbol of power, protection, and boundless possibility.
ColumnistsAug 12, 2025
Creative Connecting: How to Take a Better HeadshotColumnists Jen Cullen Williams and Duvall O’Steen share tips on how to elevate your professional image.
CrimeAug 11, 2025
Man Convicted of First-Degree Murder in Death of Colorado JewelerPeter Damian Arguello, a jeweler in the Denver suburb of Wheat Ridge, was found dead inside his store in November 2023.
Events & AwardsAug 11, 2025
Bethenny Frankel to Give Keynote at CBG’s Experience ShowThe Continental Buying Group’s 2025 Tampa Experience Show is slated for Sept. 8-10.
EditorsAug 11, 2025
The Colors Expected to Be On-Trend in a Couple YearsAssociate Editor Lauren McLemore recently attended a fabrics trade show where a trend forecaster shared her predictions for summer 2027.
FinancialsAug 08, 2025
Brilliant Earth’s Q2 Sales Up 3% as Engagement Ring Sales RiseThe company raised its full-year sales guidance while noting it has not yet assessed the potential impact of the latest tariff news.
Events & AwardsAug 08, 2025
GJEPC’s Jewellers for Hope Celebrates 10 Years of FundraisingThe organization has raised more than $1.3 million for charity since its inception.
TrendsAug 08, 2025
Piece of the Week: Rahaminov Diamonds’ Bezel BangleThe brand’s latest iteration of a bezel-set diamond bangle features clean lines and a timeless design for a new modern silhouette.
WatchesAug 07, 2025
Bulova’s New Collection Honors Tony BennettThe first watch in the series commemorates his participation in the Civil Rights movement, marching from Selma to Montgomery in 1965.
Lab-GrownAug 07, 2025
Chatham Releases Catalog for Loose Lab-Grown GemstonesThe catalog contains a complete listing of all the loose gemstones in stock, as well as information about the properties of each stone.
TechnologyAug 07, 2025
Rembrandt Charms Debuts New Website, Bird CharmsThe company added a retailer dashboard to its site and three new birds to its charm collection, the cardinal, blue jay, and hummingbird.
