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Getting Started Guide

Everything you need to know to start getting professional appraisals for your valuable items. You can also jump straight to our free online antique appraisal.

Quick Start Guide

1

Create Your Account

Sign up for a free account to get started. You'll get 3 free appraisals per month.

Sign Up Free
2

Prepare Your Item

Clean your item and find good lighting. Natural light works best for photos.

  • Remove dust and debris
  • Find a neutral background
  • Have item details ready
3

Take Quality Photos

Upload 3-6 clear photos from different angles:

  • Front view
  • Back view
  • Maker's marks or signatures
  • Any damage or unique features
4

Submit for Appraisal

Fill in the item details and submit. You'll receive an instant AI-powered valuation.

Start Appraisal

What Can Be Appraised?

InstAppraisal specializes in a wide range of valuable items:

🏺

Antiques

Furniture, pottery, glassware, and decorative items

🎨

Art

Paintings, sculptures, prints, and photographs

💍

Jewelry

Rings, necklaces, watches, and precious stones

🪙

Coins

Rare coins, currency, and numismatic items

📮

Stamps

Vintage stamps, first day covers, and philatelic items

🥄

Silver

Sterling silver, silverplate, and hallmarked items

📚

Books

First editions, signed copies, and rare manuscripts

🧸

Collectibles

Toys, memorabilia, sports cards, and more

Photography Best Practices

✅ Do's

  • Use natural daylight when possible
  • Take photos from multiple angles
  • Include close-ups of marks and signatures
  • Use a plain, contrasting background
  • Keep camera steady or use a tripod
  • Clean the item before photographing

❌ Don'ts

  • Don't use flash (creates glare)
  • Don't take blurry or out-of-focus photos
  • Don't crop out important details
  • Don't use busy backgrounds
  • Don't photograph through glass
  • Don't use heavy filters

Understanding Your Appraisal

Your appraisal report will include:

📊 Market Value Range

Current fair market value based on recent sales of similar items

📝 Detailed Description

Professional description of your item including materials, age, and condition

🔍 Comparable Sales

Recent auction results and sales data for similar items

💡 Expert Insights

Additional information about makers, history, and collectibility

📄 PDF Report

Download a professional PDF report for insurance or resale purposes

Ready to Get Started?

Get Your First Appraisal

Start with our free plan and get 3 appraisals per month

Start Appraisal

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