The most recognizable authentication companies include Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA), James Spence Authentication (JSA), and Autograph Certification Experts (ACE). It’s a good idea to go with one of these companies, as you want a recognizable company to authenticate your autograph. However, if there’s an authentication company in your area, it may be less of a hassle to work with a local company.
Any organization you’re working with will have different requirements. There are usually a number of forms you must fill out that require basic contact information as well as information on where you obtained your item. Many authenticators have specific guidelines for how items should be packaged as well. Most authentication companies charge a fee for evaluation, and may charge additional fees to issue you a certificate of authenticity. For example, JSA charges fees that range from $35 to $50 depending on the type of autograph you send. You are also generally responsible for all shipping fees.
On occasion, an autograph you obtain in person may be rejected by an authentication company if the handwriting is messy or the paper is crinkled or faded. Illegible or fading autographs are hard to authenticate, and the process can be costly. Even if you can get a certificate verifying your autograph is authentic, a company may give you a low grade, potentially making the autograph difficult to sell. You may be better off keeping faded autographs for your own pleasure rather than attempting to authenticate and sell them.
When you obtain a piece of art, hold onto any paperwork related to that item. For example, hold onto to receipts and bills of sale. If you purchased a piece of artwork through a well known and respected art dealer, its more likely to be authentic. You should also obtain paperwork that can prove a piece is legitimate. This can include magazine articles on the item, the names of previous owners, and an artist’s catalogue featuring the piece.
You can start your search with a simple Google search. You can also ask at museums and art departments at universities. Workers or professors at these places may have experience with art authentication. Art authenticators should not issue certificates of authenticity for pieces outside their area of expertise. A scholar in renaissance oil paintings, for example, should not be issuing certificates of authenticity for the works of Jackson Pollock. Art authenticators should have an extensive process for issuing the certificate. They should have a team of experts looking at your art instead of relying solely on their own appraisal. Google the name of a potential authenticator. You should find things in your Google search showing this person is an expert. The authenticator should have published papers about the artist in question, curated galleries of works by this artist, and have studied the artist extensively in school.
If you are able to trace ownership back to the original artist, physical examination of the work is not needed. If physical examination is necessary, the authenticator may have to work with multiple people to determine authenticity.
It’s very important to have a certificate of authenticity if you plan on selling an artwork. As art forgery is common, buyers are unlikely to waste time on artwork that has not been proven to be legitimate.
There may also be hallmarks left on the jewelry. These are stamps left by a specific company. For example, Cartier jewelry is stamped with an eagle head. If you can designer signatures, this is a good start. However, more information is needed. There are forgeries in the jewelry world, so a stamp or signature may not be enough to authenticate a piece.
The cut refers to the shape of the gem, as gems and diamonds are cut into a variety of shapes. The clarity is the gem’s purity. Diamonds, for example, are easier to see through when they’re purer. Diamonds, and some other gems, are graded on color. In general, less color variation means the gem is worth more. Carat weight refers to the weight of the piece. Heavier jewelry is generally worth more.
You can find a legitimate authenticator in your area through the websites of the AGS. There is a search tool where you can look for reputable appraisers in your areas. Not all appraisers will provide you a certificate. However, having an appraisal and confirmation of a piece’s legitimacy from an AGS appraiser is important. You may have to hire a private authentication company to issue the certificate, but information from a qualified appraiser should be included. This can help your certificate look professional when you try to sell your jewelry.
Your certificate should include the 4 C’s of your jewelry, and verify the diamonds or gems used are legitimate. The certificate should also include the origin of your gemstone. For example, it should say whether it was made authentically or found. It’s very important your certificate include all this information. Buyers and dealers do not work with sellers that cannot provide legitimate certificates of authenticity.
