How Does an Antique Appraiser Determine The Value of Antiques?
Appraisers rely on their training and experience when evaluating antiques. Appraising of antiques and personal property is largely unregulated by the United States government; in lieu of official regulations, the industry has chosen to self-regulate its appraisers. There are trade organizations, such as the Appraisal Foundation (a link has been provided in the resources section), that determine the kind of experience and knowledge an appraiser needs to have prior to being eligible to sit for a certification exam. Moreover, there are courses designed to hone appraisers’ skills (a link is posted), and the overall method of becoming an appraiser requires an apprenticeship with a highly qualified individual. This allows appraisers to draw on their formal training, apprenticeship training, and also industry insider information to arrive at the value of antiques. After their training and during their apprenticeship, appraisers choose an antiques specialty. The overwhelming majority of apprai
