You’ve probably seen the ads: snap a photo of grandma’s antique vase, upload it to an app, and get an instant value. These AI tools are popping up everywhere, and they’re not entirely without merit. But before you make important decisions based on that number, let’s talk about what these apps can and can’t do.

Where AI Tools Can Actually Help

Let’s give credit where it’s due. If you’re sorting through a house full of stuff and have no idea what you’re looking at, these apps can provide a starting point. They might help you identify that mysterious kitchen gadget as a vintage cherry pitter or recognize a Mid-Century Modern piece you didn’t know was collectible.

For initial sorting—figuring out what deserves a closer look versus what’s headed for the donation pile—AI identification can save time. Think of it as triage: flagging items that warrant further research.

But the Values? That’s Where Things Fall Apart

Here’s where caution kicks in. One user tested a popular antique app and reported it correctly identified only 2 out of 10 items—an 80% failure rate. Another wrote that “all three sample tries were WRONG—they weren’t even close.”

AI simply can’t see what matters most. It can’t check for maker’s marks, distinguish reproductions from originals, or spot condition issues that dramatically affect value. That pressed glass bowl in your photo might look identical to a valuable cut crystal—but they’re worlds apart in worth.

The Bigger Issue: Which Value Are You Getting?

Even when identification is accurate, there’s a fundamental problem. “Value” isn’t one number. Professional appraisers work with several value types, and the same item can have wildly different figures depending on purpose.

Insurance replacement value reflects what it costs to replace an item today—typically the highest number. Fair market value is what a willing buyer would pay a willing seller. IRS donation value has specific regulatory requirements. Liquidation value is a number a bank may want to use in calculating loans against collateral.

Using an insurance replacement figure for a charitable donation could trigger an IRS audit. Relying on fair market value for insurance could leave you underinsured after a loss.

The Bottom Line

Use these apps to satisfy curiosity or help sort unfamiliar items. But for insurance, estate settlement, tax compliance, or legal proceedings, a credentialed appraiser brings expertise, accountability, and documentation that no smartphone app can match.

Rich Schur is a credentialed, nationally recognized master personal property appraiser, and a staff instructor for the National Auction Association’s appraisal program.