Once viewed as static symbols of wealth, fine art and high jewellery are increasingly
recognized as dynamic investment assets—offering diversification, capital
appreciation, and intergenerational legacy. But as the financial and risk landscapes
evolve, so too must the strategies around their acquisition, valuation, and protection.
Art: Blue-Chip Is the New Gold
The appetite for blue-chip art has surged in recent years, not merely for aesthetic
reasons but for portfolio performance. Works by established artists such as Picasso,
Rothko, and Basquiat are increasingly seen as stores of value comparable to
equities. A recent index of blue-chip artworks spanning 1995 to 2023 reveals an
average return of 11.5% annually—outpacing the S&P 500’s 9.6% during the same
period. Allocating just 15–20% of an alternative portfolio to blue-chip art, particularly
during inflationary cycles, has shown to enhance risk-adjusted returns by over
20%.
High-profile family offices are leaning into this shift. The Nahmad family’s strategic
purchases of modern masters have turned their collection into a $3 billion
portfolio—an approach that’s both emotionally rewarding and financially calculated.
Yet while the numbers are compelling, art markets remain less liquid and inherently
unpredictable. A purely financial approach can be risky. Ultimately, client satisfaction
often stems not from returns alone, but from the personal enjoyment of living with
and owning great works. The emotional resonance of collecting—combined with a
thoughtful financial and protection strategy—can yield the most fulfilling outcomes.
For those clients who are financially driven, auction guarantee schemes present a
unique opportunity: acquiring a coveted piece at a potentially reduced price, or
alternatively, earning a financing fee if the work sells above the guaranteed
minimum. These mechanisms can serve as a hybrid strategy—balancing passion
and prudence.
Jewellery & the original Birkin: Discretion with Liquidity
Jewellery is gaining traction as both a lifestyle asset and an investment, particularly
among younger collectors. Millennials are fuelling demand for modern pieces and
rare gems, with coloured diamonds—especially pink and blue—seeing price
increases of 250–400% since 2005.
Closely aligned with jewellery in terms of discretion, value retention, and portability,
high-end handbags—particularly Hermès Birkin and Kelly models—have also
emerged as serious collectible asset classes. A standard Birkin bag sold in
boutiques today typically starts around US $10,000 to $12,000, with exoticskin or
bespoke versions trading for six figures. Yet it’s the history that truly surprises: when
first released in 1984, the Birkin retailed for roughly $2,000. In July 2025, Jane
Birkin’s original prototype—the first bag Hermès created for her—sold at Sotheby’s
in Paris for a staggering €8.6 million (≈ $10.04 million), setting a record for fashion
collectibles in Europe.
Condition, provenance, and rarity remain the strongest drivers of resale
value—especially for historical pieces or limited editions. Just as with jewellery,
insurance complexity increases with value and mobility. Many collectors
underestimate their handbags’ worth or fail to declare them separately, which can
leave significant coverage gaps. Bespoke insurance now extends to high-value
handbags, providing protection for foreign transit, accidental damage, return
shipping, and marketvalue reappraisals. When combined with fine jewellery or art
collections, these bespoke policies form a cornerstone of modern luxury asset
management.
Rising Value, Rising Risk
Yet with rising asset values comes heightened exposure. Alarmingly, nearly 50% of
high-net-worth collectors have reported incidents of theft or transit damage in
the past year alone. This has put pressure not only on collectors, but also on the
insurance ecosystem designed to protect their holdings. A 2024 Cannes incident
saw a Saudi heiress lose $1.3M in jewellery; despite private security, insurers
declined a full payout due to inadequate in-room protections.
This has sparked a boom in “wearable vault” services from firms like LuxLock and
GardeRobes, offering offsite, white-glove storage with dynamic insurance that adapts
to market revaluations. These innovations reflect a growing need for flexible, high-
security solutions in luxury wealth management.
Fun fact: nearly 80% of jewellery thefts occur between early December and mid-
January—a stark reminder of the importance of both discretion and seasonal risk
mitigation.
Insurers are also adapting other elements with increased scrutiny. Art appraisals,
once a formality conducted every 5–10 years, are now being required every three
years—with many underwriters refusing coverage without updated documentation.
Collectors must now install upgraded safes, smoke and water detection systems,
and provide rigorous provenance and shipping records to maintain eligibility.
Geography also matters more than ever. High-value artworks stored in disaster-
prone regions like California or Florida are facing rising premiums or outright
coverage denials. Wildfires, floods, and hurricanes have led insurers to reassess
“aggregation risks”—the potential for catastrophic losses in concentrated areas.
Integration into Family Wealth Planning
For family offices, this evolution demands an integrated approach. Art and jewellery
should be treated not just as emotional assets or generational heirlooms, but as
financial instruments requiring active management. That means periodic appraisals,
alignment with estate strategies, and selecting specialized insurers with deep
expertise in fine assets.
In this landscape, value and vulnerability go hand in hand. The savvy family office
must view insurance not as an afterthought, but as an active risk
hedge—complementing the potential upside of these enduring symbols of wealth.
Closing Thought
Art is unpredictable by nature. While investment potential is appealing, true
satisfaction comes from the enjoyment of ownership—an experience that is best
preserved and fully appreciated when assets are thoughtfully and comprehensively
insured.