When submitting glass, for online evaluation, appraisal we need:
1) Provenance: The item's history and where you obtained it from.
2) Measurements/dimensions in either inches or centimeters.
3) Digital photographs giving the front view and bottom view.
Furthermore, we would like to know, as best as you can:
4) Are there any signature or marks on the glass, if yes then a picture or description would be helpful. Or do you know who made it and its approximate vintage.
5) If it is a set, then include a count of the number and types of pieces.
6) Is there any visible damage such as cracks or chips on the glass.
7) Is it glass or crystal? If you are not sure whether it is glass or crystal then put the item on a table and give it a tap with you fingernail. Crystal will make a high pitch ringing sound whilst glass tends to have a deadened low pitched sound.
8) Is it handblown or made in in a mould? Often moulded pieces have a visible seem whilst handblown pieces tend to have a few air bubbles inside of the glass.
9) When dealing with bowls, vases etc that have highly decorative patterns we, need to know whether it is cut (glass or crystal) versus pressed glass. Both cut glass and cut crystal have a sharpness to their edges that you can actually feel when you rub the palms of your hands around the piece. Conversely, pressed glass is smooth. Furthermore, pressed glass should have a seam that is visible, showing where the two halves of the mould meet.
As with all on-line evaluations, appraisals, the more of the above informations that you provide, the more accurate our onlineevaluation, appraisal will be.
As with most things, a proper appraisal of glass and/or crystal should involve an up close inspection. Thus, you should call and book an appointment. We then come to your residence and inspect the item. We take pictures, measurements and examine the item. We then return home and examine its values, what they sell\ for at auction versus what dealers want for them. A report is then written. The report is then and mailed to you along with a pdf file that you should store on your computer.
Our report (your appraisal) is accepted by both the courts and insurance companies
If you are just interested in knowing an estimation of your item's value then you can have us appraise on-line. On-line appraisals are just estimates based upon the information that you provide.
Accordingly, on-line appraisals should not be used for legal purposes whether that be for the courts or for insurance purposes