When landing in Canada as a new permanent resident with gifted jewelry (gold and silver), border officers expect a clear declaration, even if you don't have original purchase invoices.
What group members advised:- Expect questions at the border. Bringing a significant amount of jewelry (gold and silver) can prompt CBSA officers to ask about it — one member's family was stopped and asked to explain the items, though it was resolved without issue once they answered.
- Document each item yourself if you lack invoices. Photograph every individual piece, take the items to a jeweler to be weighed and appraised, and write the estimated cost next to each item on the photo. This creates a paper trail you can show CBSA on arrival — whether you bring everything on your first landing or hold some back for a later visit.
This approach also helps answer related questions: jewelry worn while traveling still needs to be declared if it's part of the items you're bringing into Canada, and using photos with appraised values is the practical workaround when items don't have receipts, including for items you consider costume/artificial jewelry if their value is uncertain.