When buying or selling a violin it is important to know exactly what you have. Violins brands which were made by famous luthiers have been replicated by less prestigious craftsmen, making it difficult to judge the value of an instrument without a highly trained eye. The value of a violin is determined by several key factors. For example an instrument crafted by a master, which has been well played in, will have greatly appreciated since its creation. This is significantly different than a lesser made instrument which has depreciated as a result of its manufacturing flaws. Since it is sometimes difficult to differentiate between a genuine masterpiece, and a replica, violin appraisal and authentication should always be executed by a trained professional.

One of the primary reasons that violin appraisals are hard to conduct is the misleading markers which may appear inside a work. Unfortunately, simply because your violin says that it is a Stradivarius, does not mean that it actually is. Mass produced violins were made to bear this luthiers mark as late as the 19th century, the tags could indicate an original Stradavarian piece, or could simply have been used to mark the design which it was intended to replicate. These violins can be seen advertised in sale catalogues from their era for as little as $10, and now, retain more sentimental value, than actual financial worth.

Whereas on close inspection it is not terrifically difficult to spot whether the violin in question was handmade or produced on a machine, only an expert can examine the finer details, which may include but are not limited to wood type and quality, instrument thickness, design, varnish, and specifics of craftsmanship that authenticate the violins origins.

If you still believe that you may own a violin of some value, you can for a fee, have a complete violin appraisal done. Make sure you request that your appraisal include authentication. To have this done, you should contact a member of the American Federation of Violin and Bow makers, or a similarly qualified authority. These individuals have become experts by examining first hand thousands of authentic violins from the most respected luthiers, and have carefully developed their ability to identify the nuances of their craftsmanship.