First, the Oxford English Dictionary’s meaning of the actual word.
Psychometry – the supposed ability to discover facts about an event or person from inanimate objects associated with them. Oxford English Dictionary.
Psychometry is used by many psychics to help them tune in to their sitter. As all objects hold vibrations, and psychic can read vibrations, it is a simple but sure way of giving a psychic message.
Psychics do not tune into the spirits like mediums do. So, it is ok for them to work in this way. A medium may use psychometry to help them whilst they tune in to spirits. Moving to a higher level of consciousness, in order to communicate with spirit, takes a little longer.
You may find psychometry offered at fairs and church fun days. It is also used by psychics giving private readings. It is not though used by mediums during spiritualist church Devine services, as it is considered experimental, as opposed to the spiritual work which platforms mediums aspire to.
The best use of psychocmetry comes in development groups and development work. Articles can be used as focal points to allow the novice medium to become aware of what is coming psychically and what is coming spiritually.
The aim is always spiritual, as opposed to psychic, but mediums have to begin with developing their psychic gifts in order to progress to higher work.
Once the novice is good enough for platform work, it means they CAN prove life after death with their spiritual communication. This is the ultimate for a medium. It is also the main requisit of a spiritualist church platform medium! If they cannot prove they should not be on church platforms!