Business Details
29 Years
experience
Certified Personal Property Appraisals in Southern California
Specialty Appraisals has been a trusted name in personal property appraisals since 1997, specializing in antiques, fine art, jewelry, and collectibles. Our founder, Diana Sanders Cinamon, brings over 25 years of experience as a certified appraiser, author, and educator, establishing herself as a leading authority in antique silver and jewelry. Holding certifications from the Appraisers National Association and compliance with USPAP standards, we provide IRS-qualified appraisals for estates, donations, and insurance. Our teams expertise extends to teaching appraisal theory at Santiago Canyon College and developing the Pearl Wise Unified Grading System. We prioritize ethical practices, avoiding conflicts of interest by never purchasing items we appraise.Our services cover Southern California, including Orange, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, and Riverside counties, with no travel fees for most areas. Clients benefit from transparent pricing, on-site jewelry evaluations using a portable gem lab, and comprehensive research tailored to local market conditions. We emphasize client education through resources like our 'Appraise It Yourself' guides and partnerships with selling platforms. With a focus on accuracy, integrity, and personalized service, we serve as a reliable partner for appraisal needs across diverse asset categories.
Services
Antique Appraisals
Jewelry Appraisals
Silver Appraisals
Fine Art Appraisals
Estate Appraisals
Donation Appraisals
Insurance Appraisals
Divorce Appraisals
Expert Witness Services
Litigation Support
Details
- Year established: 1997
Highlights and features
- We offer 25+ years of specialized expertise in antique silver and jewelry appraisals.
- Our appraiser holds teaching credentials at Santiago Canyon College and developed the Pearl Wise Grading System.
- IRS-qualified appraisals with a 100% audit-free record for donation and estate valuations.
- Ethical guarantee: We never buy items we appraise to avoid conflicts of interest.
- Comprehensive service across Southern California with no travel fees for major cities.
Associations and certifications
- Appraisers National Association
- American Certified Appraisers Association
- USPAP
Services
Antique Appraisals
Specialty Appraisals evaluates antiques including furniture, silver, and decorative arts. Our expertise covers periods from Georgian to Mid-Century Modern. We provide USPAP-compliant valuations for insurance, estate planning, or sales. Clients receive detailed documentation with digital images and market analysis.
Jewelry Appraisals
We conduct on-site jewelry evaluations using a portable gem lab. Services include diamond grading, pearl analysis with our proprietary Pearl Wise system, and precious metal assessment. Appraisals document authenticity, quality, and current market value for insurance or estate purposes.
Estate Appraisals
Our IRS-qualified appraisals help executors meet tax requirements. We identify items requiring formal valuation and provide USPAP-compliant documentation. Services include consultation on donation options and estate distribution strategies.
Donation Appraisals
We prepare IRS Form 8283-compliant appraisals for tax-deductible donations. Our process includes item identification, market research, and documentation to minimize audit risk. We advise on proper timing relative to donation dates.
Fine Art Appraisals
Our specialists assess paintings, prints, and sculptures. Valuations consider artist provenance, condition, and auction market trends. We provide detailed reports for insurance replacement or fair market value purposes.
People
Diana Sanders Cinamon
Certified Appraiser & Educator
Diana Sanders Cinamon is a certified appraiser with 25+ years of experience. She authored two books on antique silver and jewelry, teaches at Santiago Canyon College, and developed the Pearl Wise Unified Grading System.
Questions
What types of appraisals do you specialize in?
We specialize in antique, jewelry, silver, fine art, estate, donation, insurance, and divorce appraisals.
Are your appraisals IRS-compliant for donations?
Yes, we provide USPAP-compliant appraisals meeting IRS requirements for tax-deductible donations.
Do you charge travel fees?
No travel fees for most Southern California locations including Orange, LA, and Riverside counties.
Can you appraise items for estate planning?
Yes, we offer estate planning appraisals and guidance on probate valuation requirements.
How are jewelry appraisals conducted?
We perform on-site evaluations using a portable gem lab, grading and measuring items while you observe.
Do you teach appraisal-related courses?
Yes, we teach jewelry appraisal theory and pearl grading at Santiago Canyon College.
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