Jewellery Specialist & Cataloguer

We Buy Vintage  is one of the UK’s largest buyers of jewellery, antiques and collectibles. We run more roadshows than any other UK company - over 250 valuation events every month - bringing trusted experts face-to-face with customers across the country.

In three years, we’ve grown from a pub-table idea into an eight-figure business, with a headcount that’s grown from 30-120 in the last 2 years, we’re on a mission to make We Buy Vintage  a brand everyone recognises.

As our Jewellery Specialist, Cataloguer, you’ll be the person who decides what each piece of jewellery really is before it goes onto We Buy Vintage ’s Trade platform. Many pieces don’t go to the assay office, so you’ll assess them yourself. You’ll identify metals and hallmarks, weigh items, estimate gemstone weights and judge condition. You’ll also know when something needs further testing.

You’ll then photograph and list each piece. Good photography is a big part of what makes buyers trust a listing, so you’ll take real care with it and present each item accurately. Trade buyers bid on your photos and descriptions together, so both need to be right.

• Assessment & identification: examine each piece hands‑on to identify metal type and fineness, read and interpret hallmarks (including foreign and antique marks), and spot plated, filled, altered or counterfeit items.
• Testing & weighing
  : use standard testing equipment (e.g. loupe, scales, gold/diamond testers, acid or electronic testing) to confirm metals and stones, and record accurate gross and metal weights.
• Gemstone assessment: identify common gemstones, estimate carat weights from measurements, and describe cut, colour and condition clearly and accurately.
• Photography: photograph every piece to a consistently high standard (equipment provided).
• Cataloguing: research and write accurate, consistent descriptions covering metal, hallmarks, stones, weights, maker, period, condition and any distinguishing features.
• Listing: upload complete listings to our internal Trade platform. We’ll train you on the system.
• Collaboration: work closely with the Senior Jewellery Specialist and our Executive of Trade (Jewellery) on unusual or high-value items.
• Security & organisation: handle valuable stock carefully, keep it tracked as it moves through the process, and keep the photography and cataloguing workspace organised.

You’ll have handled a lot of jewellery and be confident judging what’s in front of you. You’ll also have a good eye behind the camera, and you’ll take care with the details because you know buyers rely on your work.

• Substantial hands‑on experience assessing jewellery, e.g. in a jewellery buying, pawnbroking, auction house, retail jeweller, bullion or trade environment.
• Confident identifying precious metals and reading UK and international hallmarks.
• Practical experience with jewellery testing equipment and accurate weighing.
• Ability to identify common gemstones and estimate stone weights.
• Good judgement about when an item needs further testing or authentication.
• A good eye for photography and confidence producing clear, accurate product images.
• Strong written English, with the ability to write clear, accurate and consistent descriptions.
• A careful, methodical approach to handling valuable stock.
• Good organisational skills and the ability to work to deadlines.

• Accurate assessments of metals, hallmarks, weights and stones that trade buyers can rely on.
• Items that need assaying or further testing are spotted and escalated early.
• High-quality, consistent photography that shows each piece accurately.
• Clear, consistent catalogue descriptions with few…