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Jewellery valuations require expertise and discipline in order to ensure that descriptions are precise, identifications correct and measurements accurate.
By joining the Institute of Registered Valuers, the UK's largest, most established and professional jewellery appraisal body you are:
- Boosting your career: gain new professional skills and knowledge, and use the MIRV and FIRV post nominals after your name - demonstrating your jewellery valuation credentials for all to see.
- Making the right contacts: access a powerful network of jewellery, watch and silverware appraisal experts, which includes some of the most respected and experienced valuers.
- Having your say: make your voice count. We work with all IRVs to understand the issues that matter most to jewellery valuation, giving you the opportunity to shape our policy and campaigns, and make sure we're addressing the things you care about.
- Finding practical support: unlock a host of practical tools and guidance to support your work, including the IRV Resource Hub, events, briefings and jewellery valuation email forum. Not forgetting your subscription to The Jeweller Magazine - the journal of information and inspiration for the Jewellery industry.
- Saving money: save significant sums on your Annual Valuers' Conference ticket and valuation resources as well as compliant mediation services (a free benefit for all IRVs) in the unlikely event you should need it.
Anyone can join the IRV at any stage in their career as they work their way towards Membership and Fellowship of the Institute.
Want to know more about joining the Institute?
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The Institute of Registered Valuers (IRV) is the UK’s leading authority of jewellery, watch and silverware appraisers who maintain exacting standards for the longest serving and most recognised valuation trade body, regulated by the National Association of Jewellers.
Did you know?
All members of the Association who undertake valuations, whether they are IRVs or not, must abide by the NAJ Principles of Best Practice for Valuers.
Membership Categories
Whether you're interested in developing your valuing expertise, expanding your network or discovering the latest industry information the IRV is here for you.
Joining is straightforward. The Institute of Registered Valuers offers three different types of membership - introductory, practising and non-practising. Introductory is for individuals who are at the beginning of their IRV journey and practising membership is awarded on experience and qualifications to give valuers that meet the criteria the recognition they deserve. Non-practising membership is for valuers who have either since retired or have provided exceptional support to the IRV, and as such are recognised in an honorary capacity.
Overview
Introductory memberships
For students who have just started or are considering a career as a valuer/appraiser and individuals with no formal connection to valuing but who want to support the IRV and the NAJ.
| Level |
Criteria |
Who is it for? |
Fee |
| Student |
Studying for a valuation related qualification |
a) For a student who is currently undertaking NAJ training necessary to become a valuer.
b) For a student who is currently undertaking training to become a valuer with another body (such as the Gem-A, GIA, etc.) necessary to become a valuer.
|
a) Free
b) £65.00
|
|
Associate
|
Open to all |
Open to anyone who has an active interest in supporting the valuation profession. |
£65.00 |
Practising memberships
Practising memberships recognise your achievements in the jewellery industry, and awards you the post nominal letters to match.
| Level |
Criteria |
Who is it for? |
Fee |
|
Member
(MIRV)
|
Holds necessary valuation, gemmological and diamond grading/assessment qualifications and has at least five years’ experience in the jewellery industry. |
Qualified valuers who are actively practising valuations who meet the entry standards. |
£350.00 |
|
Fellow
(FIRV)
|
Been a MIRV for a minimum of 36 months, achieve a Grade A result in their Professional Reviews (five yearly) and meet the Institute’s CPD requirements. |
MIRVs who are actively practising IRV standards to an exceptional level. |
£350.00 |
Non-practising memberships
Non-practising memberships recognise achievements and contributions that individuals have made to the valuation profession, and offers a route for valuers to stay in touch with the IRV community.
| Level |
Criteria |
Who is it for? |
Fee |
| Retired |
Non-practising IRV
(or similar) |
Open to any former MIRV, FIRV or former N.A.G. RV who no longer wishes to be an actively practising valuing IRV, but still has an active interest in the NAJ, IRV and the valuing community. |
£65.00 |
| Honorary |
Member nominated, voted upon and agreed by the Valuations Steering Group, rewarding exceptional support to the Institute. |
Those who have provided exceptional support of the Institute; the highest accolade for anyone in the valuing community. |
NA |
Student
This membership category is open to students studying with the NAJ, learning FoAP. Plus, students enrolled on related and general study courses with other providers (e.g. Gem-A, GIA) wishing to become a valuing IRV.
To become a Student member of the IRV:
- Membership is valid for NAJ students from date of enrolment on FoAP until 12 months after passing the final exam.
- Membership applicable annually for non NAJ students.
- Additionally, open to previous NAJ FoAP students, still with valuing IRV membership pending.
- Open to all students studying to become IRVs.
The Institute is supported by the NAJ’s education department’s dedicated team of educationists: it is the only UK body that can educate, train and nurture aspiring, new and established valuers to a higher national education level, thereby enabling access to the skills and knowledge that will be required to be successful in their valuing career.
Since 1987 hundreds of individual professional jewellery valuers have been trained, supported, and nurtured through the N.A.G./NAJ’s programme of personal development.
In 2013 the N.A.G. wrote and introduced the country’s first professional valuers’ theory self-learning programme, the Certificate of Appraisal Theory (CAT) which is today globally recognised as a benchmark in appraisal theory learning. CAT training succeeds where others fail due to its unique combination of personal theory study and assignment work.
The Institute has additional practical valuation training and is internationally recognised as a leader in this field of study.
The new course, Foundations of Appraisal Practice (FoAP) is the new updated version of CAT. This now includes a mandatory practical three-day course and practical case study learning to keep in line with the Institute’s guidelines and best practice. The three-day practical hands-on workshop helps the student prepare an actual valuation document to Institute standards.
View ATHE Level 3 JET Certificate in the Foundations of Appraisal Practice (Jewellery, Silverware and Watches)
- Gain access to regular email updates via the Keeping You in the Loupe newsletter packed full of up-to-date relevant valuing industry news
- NAJ Live events for all NAJ members - these are hosted around the UK; it's a chance to network and check in with the NAJ team to make sure you are getting the most out of your membership
- Access to the IRV resource library on the NAJ website
- Discounted attendance at the annual Valuers’ Conference
- Discounts applied for NAJ training courses
- Access to the online version of "The Jeweller"
- Access to the NAJ IRV Email Group to share peer support and knowledge
- Access to an IRV mentor for individuals who have completed their valuation course
Fees
Student membership of the IRV is charged at £65.00 per annum but free to students who are enrolled on NAJ valuation training courses.
Register interest
Associate
This membership category is open to anyone who, although having no formal connection with the valuation community prior to joining, wishes to support the Institute and receive regular information about it and the NAJ.
Associate Criteria
Open to all
- Gain access to regular email updates via the Keeping You in the Loupe newsletter packed full of up-to-date relevant valuing industry news
- NAJ Live events for all NAJ members - these are hosted around the UK; it's a chance to network and check in with the NAJ team to make sure you are getting the most out of your membership
- Access to the IRV resource library on the NAJ website
- Discounted attendance at the annual Valuers’ Conference
- Discounts applied for NAJ training courses
- Access to the online version of "The Jeweller"
- Trade show access
- Access to the NAJ IRV Email Group to share peer support and knowledge.
Fees
Associate membership of the IRV is charged at £65.00 per annum.
(Anyone that serves on an Institute Steering Group or the Registration & Professional Review Panel may enjoy Associate membership free of charge.)
Register interest
Member (MIRV)
A Member of the IRV (MIRV) is a valuer who has the necessary experience, qualifications and knowledge, and has proved they meet the standards required to become a Member of the IRV which they maintain on an annual basis by meeting the Institute’s annual commitment requirements. A MIRV also receives a professional review once every five years.
To become a 'Member' of the IRV (MIRV) the following pre-requisites are required:
- Foundations of Appraisal Practice (FoAP) or its predecessor, the Certificate of Appraisal Theory (CAT).
- minimum of five years' experience in the jewellery trade/industry
- relevant and acceptable gemmological qualification (including practical elements)
- relevant and acceptable diamond grading/assessment qualification or training certificate (including practical elements).
Once all the above criteria are met, you're then required to submit a portfolio of your work for professional assessment, to be evaluated by a panel of Fellows of the Institute.
Practical Valuation Techniques Tutorial
The Association runs a three-day practical tutorial which explains how to put the theory of valuing into practice. Applicants who have passed the CAT exam may find this beneficial (FoAP includes practical as well as theoretical training). Although not a current pre-requisite of the application process we do recommend that applicants who have passed CAT consider attending.
View Practical Valuations Technique Tutorial
Annual commitments
Each year MIRVs must:
- follow the Code of Practice for IRVs
- follow the NAJ's Principles of Best Practice for Valuers
- maintain their ongoing Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
- Permission to value and prepare IRV branded valuations for any purpose (within area of knowledge and expertise)
- Permission to use the post-nominal MIRV
- An annual IRV ID card and annual certificate demonstrating MIRV credentials
- MIRV logos for use on websites, stationery and valuation documentation
- An individual presence on the "Find a Valuer" directory - the place to purpose-build a personal valuer profile page featuring on the NAJ's website and built to optimise full SEO to their page, linking to appropriate retailer profiles on the Find a Jeweller directory
- All personal website enquiries for valuation services that land with the NAJ are immediately and directly referred to the most suitable IRVs for their benefit for no additional fee or cost
- Exclusive access to a series of up-to-date helpful price lists/guides
- Use of a free independent complaint mediation service between members of the IRV and the public or retailers in the event of a query or concern
- A free legal helpline
- Full membership and voting rights of the NAJ
- An opportunity to gain the IRV's annual special award. This is an award presented to the IRV who has demonstrated outstanding skill, dedication or service in respect of jewellery appraisal and valuation: the industry's most prestigious award, the David Wilkins Award
- An opportunity to be an observer during the annual Professional Review
- An opportunity to attend NAJ Steering Group meetings as a guest and full voting rights for those IRVs elected to serve on the Valuations Steering Group
- An opportunity to serve as a representative of the Institute and help shape the future
- Gain access to regular email updates via the Keeping You in the Loupe newsletter packed full of up-to-date relevant valuing industry news
- NAJ Live events for all NAJ members - these are hosted around the UK; it's a chance to network and check in with the NAJ team to make sure you are getting the most out of your membership
- Access to the IRV resource library on the NAJ website
- Discounted attendance at the annual Valuers’ Conference
- Discounts applied for NAJ training courses
- Access to the online version of "The Jeweller"
- "The Jeweller" magazine delivered four times a year
- Appear in the annual valuer listings in the NAJ Yearbook
- Trade show access
- Access to the NAJ IRV Email Group to share peer support and knowledge.
Fees
Membership of the IRV is charged at £350 per annum.
Register interest
Fellow (FIRV)
A Fellow of the IRV (FIRV) is a valuer who exceeds the necessary experience, qualifications and knowledge, and has proved they meet the standards required to become an FIRV which they maintain on an annual basis by meeting the Institute’s FIRV CPD requirements. FIRVs, like MIRVs, receive a professional review once every five years.
To become a 'Fellow' of the IRV (FIRV) the following pre-requisites are required:
- membership as an MIRV for a minimum of 36 months
- obtain a Grade A (distinction) result in the Institute’s professional review programme
- maintain their ongoing Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
- ongoing Fellowship is reliant upon successfully completing a five-yearly professional review to distinction level.
Annual commitments
Each year FIRVs must:
- follow the Code of Practice for IRVs
- follow the NAJ's Principles of Best Practice for Valuers
- maintain their ongoing Continued Professional Development (CPD)
- Permission to value and prepare IRV branded valuations for any purpose (within area of knowledge and expertise)
- Permission to use the post-nominal FIRV
- An annual IRV ID card and annual certificate demonstrating FIRV credentials
- FIRV logos for use on websites, stationery and valuation documentation
- An individual presence on the "Find a Valuer" directory, with FIRV visual - the place to purpose-build a personal valuer profile page featuring on the NAJ's website and built to optimise full SEO to their page, linking to appropriate retailer profiles on the Find a Jeweller directory
- All personal website enquiries for valuation services that land with the NAJ are immediately and directly referred to the most suitable IRVs for their benefit for no additional fee or cost
- Exclusive access to a series of up-to-date helpful price lists/guides
- Use of a free independent complaint mediation service between members of the IRV and the public or retailers in the event of a query or concern
- A free legal helpline
- Full membership and voting rights of the NAJ
- An opportunity to gain the IRV's annual special award. This is an award presented to the IRV who has demonstrated outstanding skill, dedication or service in respect of jewellery appraisal and valuation: the industry's most prestigious award, the David Wilkins Award
- An opportunity to attend NAJ Steering Group meetings as a guest and full voting rights for those IRVs elected to serve on the Valuations Steering Group
- An opportunity to be an observer during the annual Professional Review, with the prospect to later join as a reviewer
- An opportunity to serve as a representative of the Institute and help shape the future
- Gain access to regular email updates via the Keeping You in the Loupe newsletter packed full of up-to-date relevant valuing industry news
- NAJ Live events for all NAJ members - these are hosted around the UK; it's a chance to network and check in with the NAJ team to make sure you are getting the most out of your membership
- Access to the IRV resource library on the NAJ website
- Discounted attendance at the annual Valuers’ Conference
- Discounts applied for NAJ training courses
- Access to the online version of "The Jeweller"
- "The Jeweller" magazine delivered four times a year
- Appearance in the annual valuer listings in the NAJ Yearbook
- Trade show access
- Access to the NAJ IRV Email Group to share peer support and knowledge
Fees
Fellowship of the IRV is charged at £350 per annum.
Register interest
Retired
This category of membership applies to any IRV or former N.A.G. RV who no longer wishes to be an actively practising valuing IRV but may wish to continue to support the Institute to maintain an interest in the NAJ and valuing community.
- Gain access to regular email updates via the Keeping You in the Loupe newsletter packed full of up-to-date relevant valuing industry news
- NAJ Live events for all NAJ members - these are hosted around the UK; it's a chance to network and check in with the NAJ team to make sure you are getting the most out of your membership
- Access to the IRV resource library on the NAJ website
- Discounted attendance at the annual Valuers’ Conference
- Discounts applied for NAJ training courses
- Access to the online version of "The Jeweller"
- Trade show access
- Access to the NAJ IRV Email Group to share peer support and knowledge.
Fees
Retired membership of the IRV is charged at £65.00 per annum.
(Anyone that remains and supports an Institute Steering Group or the Registration & Professional Review Panel may enjoy Retired membership free of charge.)
Register interest
Honorary
This is a member-nominated category of membership to be voted upon and agreed by the Valuations Steering Group that recognises and rewards exceptional support of the Institute. The highest accolade for anyone in the valuing world. Free lifetime membership.
Submit nomination
