Appraisals &
AUTHENTICATIONS
At ALC Antiques & Jewelry, we provide professional, USPAP-compliant appraisal services tailored to meet a wide range of personal, estate, and professional needs. Each appraisal is conducted with care, confidentiality, and a commitment to accuracy, ensuring clients receive credible and well-documented evaluations supported by market data and industry expertise.
We specialize in estate jewelry, silverware, general antiques, as well as Indigenous and Asian art. The marketplace is ever-evolving, and each day brings pieces that may be unfamiliar or entirely new to us. Through our collaboration with local and international colleagues, we are able to provide real-time insight and informed perspectives on these discoveries.
Every appraisal is performed by a qualified specialist trained through respected institutions including the Canadian Personal Property Appraisers Group (CPPAG), Asheford Institute of Antiques (AIA), and Sotheby’s Institute of Art (SIA) — ensuring every report meets or exceeds USPAP ethical and procedural standards.
What is an
APPRAISAL?
An appraisal is a professional assessment that determines the authenticity, quality, and value of an item. Conducted by a certified appraiser, it provides a detailed and unbiased evaluation based on current market data, comparable sales, craftsmanship, provenance, and condition. Each appraisal results in a formal written report that can be used for insurance coverage, resale, estate planning, legal documentation, or personal knowledge.
Appraisals are essential whenever you need to establish or verify the true value of your possessions—whether for insurance purposes, division of assets, charitable donations, estate settlements, or liquidation. They also offer peace of mind for collectors, families, and institutions managing or passing down valuable items.
At ALC Antiques, our appraisals are performed to the highest professional standards, following USPAP (Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice) and supported by years of experience in fine art, jewelry, and antiques valuation.
The
Process
At ALC Antiques, we specialize in the identification, authentication, and valuation of a wide range of fine and decorative objects — including estate jewelry, timepieces, silverware, fine and decorative art, antiques and collectibles, Asian art, and Indigenous art.
Our specialists work closely with a network of local and international colleagues who specialize in every field of expertise. This ensures our clients receive the most current, accurate, and well-supported information available. Through these collaborations, we are able to identify, authenticate, and date items, and provide guidance on the best avenues to maximize your results, whether through appraisal, sale, or collection management. For items beyond our immediate scope, we can refer you to trusted specialists within our extended professional network worldwide.
When it comes to jewelry and silverware, we utilize state-of-the-art testing and authentication equipment to ensure precision and reliability in every valuation.
As part of our client care, we offer complimentary in-home or in-office evaluations by appointment. If you’re unsure whether your items hold value, our lead specialist, William Morris, can personally walk through your home to help determine which pieces may be suitable for appraisal, family inheritance, or sale. This process is designed to be comfortable, informative, and stress-free, providing expert insight at your pace. Whether you’re seeking coverage for insurance, preparing an estate, or simply wish to know more about what you own, we are always happy to arrange a visit — for a single item or an entire collection.
For full home contents, we can conduct a comprehensive walkthrough to identify items of insurable or significant value, ensuring nothing of importance is overlooked.
We proudly work with individual clients, museums, galleries, and private collections across Vancouver Island & Gulf Islands. Inquire to schedule a consultation or evaluation.
What We
NEED
From YOU
To support your appraisal, please provide any available documentation, such as provenance records, purchase receipts, certificates, or prior appraisals.
Our written appraisals are formal, multi-page reports suitable for insurance, probate, estate, or divisional purposes, while verbal consultations remain a complimentary service for those seeking general guidance.
All information shared is treated with complete confidentiality and professional discretion.
Complimentary
SERVICE
As part of our commitment to client service, we offer complimentary in-home or in-office evaluations by appointment. During your visit, one of our specialists will review your items, provide an overview of their value, and offer insight into current market trends.
If you are considering selling, we can provide an on-the-spot purchase offer based on the day’s fair market prices. Should you require a formal written appraisal for insurance, estate, or legal purposes, we also offer a full range of professional appraisal services.
(Standard appraisal fees apply — please see below for details.)
Each completed appraisal includes a professionally prepared multi-page report, presented in a customized envelope for your records. The report provides a comprehensive written evaluation of your items, including:
Detailed descriptions outlining materials, craftsmanship, and distinguishing characteristics
Estimated age or period of origin, with historical context when applicable
High-resolution photographs for identification and documentation purposes
Authenticity notes or hallmark analysis, when relevant
Current market value based on recent comparable sales and industry data
Purpose of valuation (e.g., insurance replacement, fair market, estate, or resale value)
This documentation serves as a credible record of value for insurance companies, estate planning, probate, charitable donation, or personal reference. Every appraisal is conducted in accordance with the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP), ensuring accuracy, integrity, and transparency.
What you'll
RECEIVE
APPRAISAL SERVICES
We provide professional appraisals and valuations for a wide range of purposes, including insurance coverage, resale value, charitable donations, financial planning, divorce and equitable distribution, estate planning, division of assets, and damage or loss evaluations. Our services cover insurance appraisals, estate appraisals, fair market value assessments, verbal consultations, and on-site evaluations, as well as large collection and estate call-outs. We also assist clients involved in estate planning, probate, wills and estates law, and liquidation. In addition, we proudly offer complimentary support for fundraisers and charitable organizations, helping to curate and evaluate donated items with accuracy and integrity.
Insurance Appraisals
Designed to establish the replacement value of an item in the event of loss, theft, or damage. These reports provide detailed descriptions, photographs, and replacement cost estimates based on comparable items available in the current retail market.
Purpose: Insurance coverage or replacement
Includes: Detailed report, item descriptions, and photographs
Estimated Fee: $150 per item or $200/hour for multiple items
Estate Appraisals
Prepared to assist executors, trustees, or families in settling estates and establishing fair market value for distribution, probate, or tax purposes. Estate appraisals can include jewelry, fine art, antiques, silver, or collections of mixed personal property.
Purpose: Probate, estate planning, or distribution
Includes: USPAP-compliant written report
Estimated Fee: $125 per item or $175/hour for collections
Fair Market Value Appraisals
Used when determining a realistic selling price in today’s open market — ideal for clients considering downsizing, liquidation, or donation. Values reflect what a willing buyer would reasonably pay to a willing seller.
Purpose: Resale, consignment, or donation
Includes: Summary report with comparable market references
Estimated Fee: $100 per item or $150/hour for group assessments
Verbal Consultations & On-site Evaluations
For clients seeking informal guidance or a general market overview without a written report. These sessions are ideal for sorting estates, downsizing collections, or identifying which pieces may warrant formal appraisal.
Purpose: Initial evaluation or guidance is complimentary
Includes: In-person or virtual session (no written report)
Estimated Fee: $100 per hour (This fee applies beyond the initial complimentary evaluation.)
Large Collections & Estate Call-outs
We specialize in comprehensive estate and collection evaluations, including jewelry, silver, fine art, coins, and decorative objects. For extensive estates or multi-category collections, we can provide on-site assessments and bulk hourly pricing.
Purpose: Full estate or multi-category evaluation
Includes: Digital inventory, photographs, and summary of findings
Estimated Fee: $500 half-day (up to 4 hours) or $900 full day (up to 8 hours)
Payment
TERMS
Half (50%) of the total balance is due at the time of signing this agreement. The remaining balance is payable upon completion of services, or prior to the release of any appraisal report or related documentation
We accept e-transfer, cheque, or cash.
A deposit may be required for large estate or corporate assignments.
ADDITIONAL
Fees
Travel fees: apply to areas outside greater Victoria
Rush Reports: +25% surcharge for expedited 24–48 hour turnaround
Bound Report: Included in all formal appraisals
Follow-Up Updates: 50% of original report cost within 2 years
Still have questions?
We’re always happy to help. Whether you’d like to schedule an appraisal or sell your belongings, or learn more about the types of items we buy, or simply ask a question, we’d love to hear from you.
Please feel free to contact us anytime — we look forward to connecting with you.
