The American Society of Appraisers is a world renowned, international organization. As the oldest and only major appraisal organization designating members in all appraisal specialties, ASA is an excellent place to start with a unique category item. One of ASA’s primary objectives is to ensure best practices, ethical conduct and professionalism on the part of its members, so every appraiser listed in ASA’s database is certified. To find your appraiser, you can filter through the database by specialty, location, name or keyword.
Founded in 1949, The Appraisers Association of America is the premier national association of personal property appraisers who focus on fine and decorative art estimates. Their 900 independent, accredited appraisers cover over 100 areas of specialization, including art, collectibles and memorabilia, furniture, wine, musical instruments, gems and jewelry, and more. Many members are either former curators at major museums or heads of departments at auction houses. AAA also enforces a high standard of practice by requiring training, continued education, and testing.
Founded in 1979, the International Association of Appraisers is the leading personal property appraisal association, representing highly trained and rigorously tested appraisers, consultants, curators, scholars, gallerists, estate liquidators, auctioneers, and dealers in the US and Canada. ISA has two specialty divisions — fine arts and antiques, and furnishings and decorative arts. Outside of these categories, ISA members also specialize in gems and jewelry, machinery and equipment, fine wine, classic cars, sports memorabilia, etc.
One easy way to get your own estimate is to look up the price of similarly sold items at auction. Invaluable’s vast Price Archive holds prices from recent auctions going as far back as 20 years in over 50 categories, including paintings, sculptures, coins, jewelry, ceramics, and more.
What is an appraisal?
An appraisal is an expert assessment of the value of an object. An appraisal is an essential first step if you are hoping to sell an item in your possession or know more about your own objects.
What types of items can be appraised?
No matter how obscure your item is, the right appraiser should have years of auction experience and will do their best to find out as much information about your item as possible. Typical items include furniture, jewelry, paintings, silver, and decorative objects.
Is my appraisal a guarantee of consignment value?
Appraisals are guides that indicate the estimated fair market value of an object but are not a guarantee of the object’s value at auction. If you are interested in consigning an item, work with an auction house specialist who will be able to provide a pre-sale estimate that reflects his or her expectations for its sale at auction.
How much does it cost to get my item appraised?
Prices for appraisals vary depending on the services involved, the appraiser’s expertise, and their individual pricing options. You can also find free appraisers online; however, most will not possess proper accreditation and are far more likely to provide an incorrect valuation.
