Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Rickman.
Hi Jessica, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
In 2013, my world was upended when my father passed away from ALS. In the midst of that deep grief, a friend convinced me to go “curb shopping” and “dumpster diving” one night just to get me out of the house. We came home with a chair that needed some work, a mirror, and a small chest. Before I knew it, my garage was completely full. I had built a loyal following on Varage sale, and I was actually turning a profit. My neighbor Jayne, an established dealer, convinced me to take a booth at the Arbor Antique Mall. I fell in love instantly. I spent my days going to auctions, flea markets, and garage sales, soaking up everything I could from seasoned vendors, burying myself in reference books, and watching Antiques Roadshow with a notebook and pen in hand. Eventually, the antique shop’s owner, Micki, hired me to work the floor, where I truly learned the inner workings of the business and began selling high-end jewelry.
When Arbor closed two years later, I stepped into the big leagues by moving to GasLamp Antiques in Nashville, the largest antique mall in Tennessee. I found my true niche in sourcing extremely rare, hard-to-find items and incorporated my business as Apparitions, LLC. “Apparitions” means the appearance of something remarkable or unexpected, which became both my business name and my motto. Over the years, my finds have found their way into the hands of remarkable people. My pieces are owned by celebrities like Hall & Oates, Chris Isaak, Pam Tillis, Jason Aldean, and Miley Cyrus. I sold Johnny Cash’s harvest table to a major local designer, and a European church confessional brought back from World War I now resides in Eric Church’s Chiefs establishment on Broadway.
I quickly discovered that combining my foundational knowledge of antiques with AI and rigorous auction price databases made me a formidable researcher. I began appraising major estates and working with other colleagues at appraisal fairs. As my reputation grew, dealers, collectors, and attorneys began regularly calling on me for official estate and private collection valuations. I realized that while anyone can legally perform appraisals in Tennessee, I wanted a bulletproof resume that would maximize my professional credibility and fully protect both myself and my clients from liability.
I graduated from the Asheford Institute of Antiques as a Certified Personal Property Appraiser. The curriculum transformed my practice through what I call “adaptation, documentation, and presentation.” I adapted formal Asheford methodology, and the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) into a structured framework that satisfies lawyers, CPAs, and insurance agencies. I learned to document my findings without deviation. I also completed formal USPAP training from McKissock Learning and passed the same USPAP exam that real estate appraisers are subjected to.
I perform appraisals of antiques and collectibles for individuals daily, and full insurance-ready USPAP appraisals for Insurance Companies, Auction Houses, Museums and Law Firms. I am the staff appraiser for The Journal of Antiques and Collectibles, where my writing appears each month in their printed publication.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I’ve learned that nothing is easy. Learning and adapting to the ever-changing market trends has been the biggest challenge to my antique business.
When I started, there was no Instagram, so adapting my business to marketing on social media was an early challenge. Now, the majority of my business comes through social media and I cannot imagine a world without it.
On the appraisal side, there is no formula for every appraisal. Tailoring my appraisal process for the needs of each individual client has been a continuous improvement process.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Apparitions, LLC?
The dictionary definition of “Apparitions” is the appearance of something remarkable or unexpected. I specialize in seeking out and procuring stunning and unique pieces, usually one-of-a-kind, that are conversation pieces and have historical or otherwise extremely interesting provenance.
What sets me apart is my ability to objectively and transparently identify and assess the value of a wide variety of personal property such as antiques, collectibles and jewelry. I have a reputation for this and work hard to maintain it.
For buying and selling antiques, I am proud of my storefront image at GasLamp Antiques in Nashville. On the appraisal side, I am proud of my reputation for providing fair and accurate valuations that cause my clients to recommend me to others.
I’d like your readers to know that they can visit my space at GasLamp Antiques in Nashville. Also, those who need appraisal services for estate or insurance purposes, or just to understand the identification and true value of their antiques, collectibles, jewelry and precious metals, can contact me directly at any time. I have an office in Franklin and am available to meet by appointment.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
Some of my favorite childhood memories are wrapped up in the quiet magic of rural Mississippi, spending long, sun-drenched days at my Granny’s house. I can still see her hands moving with practiced grace as she stitched together intricate quilts, and I loved sitting nearby, helping her shell and can fresh butter beans, field peas, and whatever else the garden gave us. There was a beautiful rhythm to her world, right down to the crisp, fresh scent of clothes drying on the line in the backyard. Watching her poured a deep appreciation into my soul, and not just for the timeless beauty of antiques, but for the quiet dignity of hard work.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://antiques615.com
- Instagram: @antiques615
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063664203847
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-rickman-34913227/
- Twitter: https://x.com/antiques615
