Want to be on Antiques Roadshow?
I just read this article, “Taking my shot at Antiques Roadshow,” by Linda Odette; she talks about how she’s excited to learn the value of her items, but bummed to not get on the show.
I love Antiques Roadshow, but I’m always amazed at how people wait for the Roadshow to come to their town, get up early, drive for hours and drag in huge pieces of furniture, all for a free appraisal. When you know what?
Furniture appraisers will come to your house.
Want to know how much grandma’s pearls are worth? You can have the full attention of a real gemologist and independent appraiser, simply by paying their fee! And it’s not even that expensive!
When you choose an appraiser for jewelry, make sure they have the proper training, which should be the G.G., or Graduate Gemologist Diploma from the Gemological Institute of America, and additional training for I.S.A. or A.S.A., the International Association of Appraisers or the American Association of Appraisers.
Some appraisers may also take the USPAP course, I did, back when I was doing appraising.
In the U.K., the equivalent of the G.G. is the F.G.A.
The most important thing you’re looking for in an appraiser is that they are independent.
You know how on the Roadshow, people often say, “an antiques dealer offered me $20.00 for it,” and then the appraiser says, “Well, it’s a good thing you didn’t take it, because it’s worth $25,000.00!”
Well, that’s what you want to avoid, see the antiques dealer isn’t independent, they have a potential financial interest.
That’s why it’s worth it to pay for an independent appraisal. Ideally, you want someone who works full time as an appraiser, and not within a jewelry store.
A jewelry store can give you a point of purchase report, which discloses that they sold it to you and details the parts in the piece. Which is perfect for giving to your insurance company, but it’s not an appraisal and shouldn’t be called one.
For more:
American Society of Appraisers: www.appraisers.org
International Society of Appraisers: www.isa-appraisers.org
This is really great information for people. Thank you so much for bringing clarity to something so confusing. I’ve worked at a couple of museums and I was always amazed how many people would call up to have their work appraised and the curators would do it!! One museum even had one day a month set up to do this as a service to the community and it would create a feeling of reciprocity. H
Hi Elaine! It has been a while since I heard from you but I have been over here ever since you have been linked to Lora Hart’s blog. Yes, lurking we call it. Thanks for coming by and commenting on my funny oven mitt. I’m glad you liked it!
I have an antiques roadshow type fantasy – I keep making things and someday when I am really old (or dead) someone brings a piece I made to the show. I know, a long shot BUT there is more. The appraiser tells the collector that the piece looks like one of mine and if there had been a hallmark or signature on the piece it would have been worth many tens of thousands of dollars, but because there isn’t, there is no way of telling that it is an original therefore it is only worth about $200. Then everybody who is watching goes “aaaaw!”
Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha!
Catherine
Oh Elaine!,
I was following a link and it led me here tonight. I can hardly remember writing that last comment except for the fact that I really did and do still have that odd ball fantasy. I laughed again and thought fondly of you.
Catherine