Saturday, 21 September 2013

For Professional Antiques Appraisals Tucson Is The Place To Go

By Dawn Williams


Many people have a few pieces of furniture, jewelry or an ornament or two that they got from a great grandmother or that have a history of being in the family for many generations. Others fancy themselves amateur sleuths and hunt for potentially valuable pieces at auctions, jumble sales and second hand shops. However, when in need of antiques appraisals Tucson is one of the best places to go.

The very word antique is derived from the Latin word antiquus that means ancient, or very old. Some people confuse the term with the term vintage. The two is not the same thing. For an object to qualify for the description antique it needs to be at least a hundred years old. Vintage refers to a specific period, not necessarily long ago. One would refer to vintage eighties furniture, for example.

To be called an antique an object must not just be old but it must also be desirable. People collect an astonishing variety of objects ranging from snuff boxes to dolls, art, jewelry and sometimes very strange items such as instruments of torture. The desirability of an object is determined by its rarity, its beauty or its origin. Many collectors specialize in a very narrow field of interest.

The fiscal value of an object depends upon many factors. Even commonplace objects made from relatively cheap materials can be very valuable simply because they are virtually unobtainable. Others are valuable due to the fact that it was created by a specific craftsman or artist. The history of some objects can also add to its value. It is always best to ask an expert to advise on the monetary value of a specific item.

It is always a good thing to know what the value of a possession is. Many collectors collect for their own private pleasure and do not really see their collections as investments. Many other people possess stems that may be very valuable without them even knowing about it. Having such items valued may be important for insurance purposes and most definitely when the owner contemplates selling it.

It can be very difficult to find a qualified appraiser. This is because there are numerous fields of specialty and very few experts are qualified to value various types of object. Generalists often err on the conservative side and it is best to ask the advice of somebody that specializes in the specific relevant field. Antique associations are normally eager to provide the details of such specialists.

This industry, just like most other industries has its fair share of charlatans and consumers should be careful when consulting experts. It is vital to obtain a formal written valuation. It is furthermore necessary to check that the expert in question is a member of an authoritative industry body that will underwrite the valuation certificate. It is often a good idea to obtain more than one opinion.

For accurate antiques appraisals Tucson specialists have certainly built up an excellent reputation. More and more people want to know the value of their prized possession, however they came into possession of it. There are good reasons to approach a professional. Valuables should be protected and insured and nothing should ever be sold without knowing exactly what it is worth.




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