To become an antique appraiser, develop an appreciation of antiques and learn to distinguish genuine items from reproductions. A degree is helpful but not required. Many appraisers have backgrounds in antique sales, jewelry sales, or real estate. Take an appraisal course to gain necessary knowledge. Appraisers prepare documentation for insurance coverage and price negotiation. Check professional associations for accreditation and establish a clientele.
In order to become an antique appraiser, you will need to start by developing a deep appreciation of antiques and knowledge of how to determine genuine items from reproductions. Not all evaluators have a university education, but obtaining a degree can be helpful. Many seniority appraisers are members of a professional organization, and this designation gives them credibility with the clients they serve.
Some people who end up working as antique appraisers have a degree in fine art, but that’s not a requirement. Most people who decide to become an antique appraiser have a background in antique sales, jewelry sales, or real estate. They may also have previous experience as an art dealer before entering this career field.
A person who is deeply interested in antiques and who wants to make a career change to become an antique appraiser can gain the knowledge necessary to appraise items by taking an appraisal course. Study options include courses offered by professional associations for appraisers and distance learning, studying at home. Prospective students should carefully consider their options to choose a quality program that will provide them with the necessary skills to work in this field.
Choosing a program carefully is important because ancient appraisers don’t just give customers an estimate of how much an item is worth. They prepare documentation that the client can use to arrange appropriate insurance coverage for the antique collection. Valuation documents can also be used to show a potential buyer if the owner is interested in selling part or all of their collection and used as part of the price negotiation process. They may also be called upon to provide appraisals for asset valuation purposes or gift tax calculation.
Check out professional associations to learn more about the accreditation process. Some of them require people who want to become antique appraisers to complete courses offered by the association before becoming certified. They may also require new members to have a specific level of professional experience before they can advertise themselves as certified past appraisers.
Establishing yourself in the business is the next step for a person who wants to become an antique appraiser. Developing a clientele can take some time. Many people who work as appraisers have started working part time until they are able to generate enough paying clients to earn enough income to work full time in that capacity.
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