If you want to work as an antique appraiser, you’ll need to first develop a strong appreciation for antiques and an understanding of how to distinguish genuine antiques from reproductions. Although not all appraisers have a college education, having one can be beneficial. Many antique appraisers belong to a professional organization, which gives them credibility with the people they work with.
A bachelor’s degree in fine art is preferred some antique appraisers, but it is not required. The majority of people who choose to become antique appraisers have a background in antiques, jewelry, or real estate sales. They may also have worked as an art dealer in the past before entering this field.
A person who is passionate about antiques and wants to change careers to become an antique appraiser can learn the skills necessary to evaluate items taking an appraisal course. Courses offered professional associations for appraisers and distance learning studying at home are two options for study. Prospective students should carefully consider their options in order to select a high-quality program that will provide them with the necessary skills to work in this field.
Because antique appraisers don’t just give clients an estimate of how much an item is worth, it’s critical to pick a program carefully. They create documentation that the client can use to secure appropriate insurance for their antiques collection. If the owner is interested in selling part or all of his or her collection, the appraisal documents can be shown to a potential buyer and used as part of the price negotiation process. They may also be called in to provide appraisals for purposes of estate valuation or gift tax calculation.
Investigate professional associations for information on their accreditation procedures. Before becoming certified, some of them require people who want to become antique appraisers to complete courses offered the association. They may also require new members to have a specific level of professional experience before they can advertise themselves as being certified antique appraisers.
For someone who wants to work as an antique appraiser, the next step is to get established in the field. It can take some time to build a clientele. Many people who work as appraisers started off working part-time until they can generate enough paying clients to earn enough income to work full time in this capacity.