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Antiques are generally a wise, enjoyable and satisfying investment. You can also find antiquing a terrific way to invest your time. It doesn’t matter if you are buying antiques for personal reasons or for making money, antiques can be fantastic investments and you can have them around for hundreds of years.

Antiques are collected for a lot of varying reasons. These reasons are as numerous as the individuals who are acquiring them.

- A good number of antique enthusiasts simply love the historical past.
- Many like to become familiar with and also to understand the reason a specific object was developed. They also want to discover how it was used or even who previously used it.
- Others are captivated by the ways in which the world and technological know-how has developed as well as improved.
- Some people think that through acquiring items out of the past they are somehow linked to a past time in which they think they would have loved to live.
- Some individuals pick up antiques just for the challenge. These people get a lot of enjoyment out of discovering what is to be found in any given second hand shop, garage sale or even estate auction. This has been embellished in a couple popular movies.
- Some antique collectors challenge themselves on their ability to get the very best deals as well as the rarest objects. Both are important elements in order to becoming successful in the antiques business.
- At the same time, some antique dealers merely put money into antiques for the profit. These people have discovered a business that they consider themselves very capable of. Even though I really don’t believe that there’s anybody around that couldn’t work with antiques without becoming fascinated with their historical past as well as the excitement associated with the hunt. There are a few antique retailers though that concentrate much more on the actual dollars and cents associated with the business. These individuals are usually the sales people. They understand how to buy something plus effectively market it for their financial gain. The ideal antique dealers are usually a little bit of each of these blended together.

Antique hunters hunt for many different types of antique items. A few of the most popular things to look for tend to be pottery, china, home furniture, books as well as glass ware. However most things that are more than 100 years of age are regarded as an antique which means that just about anything is collectible. Even though anything may be collected as being an antique, this doesn’t imply that there’s a market currently through which you could re-sell it and make money. If you find absolutely no interest in your merchandise, the probabilities are that you’ll not make any money from it. Nevertheless for those who are less keen on generating a earnings and a bit more enthusiastic about their personal satisfaction, it’s possible that just about anything could be an antique collectible.

Men and women collect such things as books, coins, automobiles as well as toys together with a great many other items. The secret is to really understand what you’re trying to collect. In the event that you are looking at collecting toys you really should understand which types of toys are truly worth purchasing, also, if they are rare or not. You will also need to discover how to differentiate between reproduction toys and the real deal. For example a reproduction Barbie doll will certainly not sell for much in comparison to a genuine antique doll.

Antiquing is truly a wonderful and enjoyable way of spending your leisure time. But with some know how, you could also make this hobby into a profitable full time career.

Tack Smith has enjoyed antiquing for years. For more great information on antiquing, visit http://www.newantiquingsecrets.com.

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Antiques are items that were manufactured over 100 years ago. Used items which are less than 100 years are considered vintage.

This very simple definition can create much controversy among antique dealers, collectors and even wine drinkers! There is only one official definition of antiques in the United-States from US Customs in the Smoot-Hawley act of 1930. It basically says that an antique must be over 100 years old to be called an antique. In Europe and indeed in many other countries around the world there are many more laws governing antiques which help to define the subject. The US lacks such a base and this explains why there are such a variety in quality of “Antique” stores and malls around the country.

An antique store in France (Antiquites) will have to be operated by a state approved professional that has undergone appropriate studies in art, history and valuation. Those that do not have this training sell in stores or fairs called “Brocantes” which must hold a “Livre de Police” or Police Book in which items that are bought and sold are listed to fight against theft. All others can sell at the “puces” or flea markets where no legal mention of authenticity can be maintained.

Such safeguards do not generally exist in the US so the market for antiques is a wild place where dealers can use the word antique to describe items from the 1940s or even sell reproductions under dubious terminology such as Antique Chest circa 1940s. Such terms help increase the value in the eye of the buyer but nonetheless it is only a used chest (unless it was made from a desired designer or manufacturer).

Using the word “Antique” can up the price on a very simple object. Keep this argument in mind, it will offer you more perspective on price and value.

Now vintage is even trickier as there is no institution such as the US customs to define it. Vintage is the term commonly used by people in the antique world to define objects that have some age and are as one says “of a particular vintage”. We would define a chest of drawers from the 1930s as being vintage.

Now wine drinkers are not very happy with the use of the word vintage for anything else than defining the age of wines. However common usage has applied the word to the world of antiques and collectibles for over a century now in the US. Quite respectable really.

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Collecting exquisite pieces of antique and vintage jewelry is not only a hobby, but can also prove to be an elating addiction for many. This type of jewelry comprises of distinct works of art from the past that are not only part of an exhilarating experience for the wearer but for the collector as well. Since, these are one-of-a-kind jewelry you need to ascertain the authenticity and value before purchase. Hence, it is strongly recommended that you buy them only from well-known, reputed dealers. This way you not only guarantee the purchase, but also can learn a few vital tips from the dealer as to what you should look for in a jewelry piece in order to determine its genuineness. Listed below are a few of the many basic hints that will help you to evaluate your classic jewelry.

Begin by gathering relevant information about classic jewelry. You can do this by either attending shows that display antiques and collectibles and browse through antique shops. The Internet can also serve as a good source of information and will enable you to assimilate all the necessary information pertaining to classic jewelry. Reading books on similar topics and making inquiries with dealers will also be very beneficial for you. This way you will be able to familiarize yourself with the several styles of jewelry from different eras and can use these findings to establish the authenticity of the jewelry piece.

Another way to assess your antique and vintage jewelry is to examine it cautiously from all angles. You can tell if the piece is genuine even by inspecting and scrutinizing it carefully. Old pieces always have clues and telltale signs that will help you to confirm validity. Besides this, checking the piece of jewelry for markings, signs and hallmarks is definitely a very good idea. You will find the pieces signed or marked in unusual places like on the stem of the pin, along the edges, the back of the pin stem or inside of the bale. These will help you to learn and ascertain the true value and worth of your classic jewelry.

In the absence of hallmarks, such as in Victorian jewelry pieces, you can verify the authenticity by checking for other details. For instance, a long pin stem in a Victorian brooch indicates that it was made during the early Victorian age while a comparatively shorter pin stem indicates that it was made later. Factors like the clasp, the hinge, and other similar features of your antique and vintage brooch, necklace or bracelet are all good indications. Also, try matching your findings with the designs of that particular era. The above-mentioned information will help you to arrive at appropriate conclusions about the true value of your jewelry.

Another way to learn and get to know more about antique and vintage jewelry is to constantly keep comparing new designs to the old ones. Once you learn to differentiate and recognize the salient features of antique and vintage jewelry, you will be in a better position to judge.

Victor Epand is an expert consultant about jewelry and diamonds including vintage and antique jewelry. When looking for jewelry, we recommend you shop only at the best online jewelry stores for antique and vintage jewelry, diamond rings, antique jewelry, fashion earrings, fashion pendants, vintage engagement rings, wedding rings, and wedding bands.

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It is no secret that the economy stinks. You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to figure out that people’s wallets are well-guarded these days. However, it always surprises me when people call my office wanting to sell estate items, heirlooms, mom’s collection, etc… and expect top dollar in the middle of a recession. Top dollar only takes place when you have top quality to offer. When these top-tier items do surface, serious collectors will dig deeper into their pockets to afford the “creme de la creme.”

The problem begins when everyone feels they have something rare and exceptional. This simply isn’t the case. By definition, “rare” means extraordinary or exceptional. Think of a flawless diamond and how difficult it is to find one. They do exist, but most remain locked up by the industry as investments, and are therefore rarely seen by the public.

After being in the estate industry 20 years, I can guarantee you that the majority of us do not have “top of the line” possessions. The majority of us have nice quality, good used furniture; some have antiques or vintage items. We fail to realize that almost everyone else has the same or similar items in their homes as well. People believe that because something is old it must have value, but this is not always the case. Sometimes, it is just old junk.

Many have spent fortunes on collector plates and Franklin Mint figurines, for example, only to discover they plummeted in value instead of increasing in value. They were led to believe these items would increase in value because they were limited quantity or special editions. The grimace on my client’s face when I deliver the news tells me they spent way too much and are expecting way too much when they want to sell these items.

Generally speaking, now is not an optimal time to sell (although many are doing so for the cash), and no one knows exactly what the future holds for us or this market.

There are two important things to keep in mind:

1. For everything there is a season. This applies to everything in life, including antiques and collectibles. We have seen the market wax and wane through the years, and most recently experience what I call “flat line.” Not much is selling, and when it does, the buyer wants it for next to nothing. This is a sign of not only the times, but also other contributing factors.

2. We must keep our expectations in check. In other words, be realistic. Don’t expect to get what mom paid for the sofa, and don’t believe everything you hear. Grandma bragged about her china for years saying it was very valuable, only to discover that her set is only worth $300. How could that be? Grandma said it was worth $2,500.

Let us examine some of these contributing factors and it should all fall into perspective.

The Market. What is it currently doing? Not much. People are afraid to spend money as they don’t know what is going to happen in the near and distant future with their jobs, finances, etc. As a result, many antique shops, markets, and dealers have closed shop as they couldn’t survive. This is not the case for everyone in the antique industry. On the contrary, some higher-end auctions and dealers/brokers are doing very well, because of the quality of items they have and the contacts to buy such items. It is a buyers market for those who have the money to invest.

Supply and Demand. Let’s revisit Grandma’s china. As grandma’s generation passes away, more and more china sets will flood the market for sale. This is because their granddaughters do not want it, and their daughters already have a set they don’t use. In the end, no one really wants it; nor do they want grandma’s crystal or much of the silver. Do you have any idea how many china sets are out there from grandma’s generation? Far too many to count, because many of our grandmas had more than one set of china that they inherited too! The next thing you know, the market is flooded and the prices go down. Younger women don’t want the older china, so it just sits there – the price goes down further. The younger women want IKEA and Pottery Barn, not grandma’s old china.

Style Changes. What’s in vogue today? Certainly not clutter, and certainly not knick-knacks on doilies covering every surface of every mahogany table as in grandma’s home. Today, we are seeing a trend of simplicity. Clean, sleek lines on furniture, very few knick-knacks, very modernistic and away from traditional. Today’s younger generations do not want the heavy-looking, dark wood antiques. They are looking for light-colored wood, metal, leather, etc… We are seeing a tremendous amount of dark mahogany furniture surface that was mass-produced in the 1940s – 1960s. Virtually every home had them and they are still in nice condition, but they have fallen out of favor. The good news is that many of the younger generation love vintage items. As a result, much of what we do see in estates can be recycled by being recovered, repainted, etc… I will say this about Gen X and Y: they are very creative and seem to have vision.

Will any of these basic factors turn around in the future? There are those who believe that grandma’s things will come back around in time, but no one knows if that will be in 5 years or 50 years. I believe everything is cyclical and that, much like our platform shoes and bell bottom jeans of the past, most everything will come back around at one time or another. But is it worth going to the expense and time to pack, store, save, etc. for a generation that has little want or need for these things at the present? My gut feeling is that the younger generations will sell off almost all personal property they inherit, except for some small items they like and won’t take up much space.

These are three very basic factors I bring to your attention so you can make a more sound decision on whether to sell or keep your items. Remember, too, that it is important to always enlist the assistance of a professional appraiser to help you understand what has significant value versus what doesn’t, especially if your intent is to sell them or gift them to your heirs.

copyright 2011, The Estate Lady, LLC

Julie Hall, The Estate Lady, is an estate expert who specializes in personal property. With more than nineteen years experience, she has assisted thousands of individuals in the daunting and often painful process of managing their deceased parents’ affairs. She is a speaker to national organizations, civic groups, businesses, churches, and professional organizations. http://www.theestatelady.com

Hall is respected within the antiques and collectibles fields at what has value versus what does not in an estate, alleviating confusion and pressure among those left behind to deal with the personal property distribution. Julie has also enjoyed being a Continuing Education instructor at the Rhode Island School of Design.

She has authored a best-selling book titled “THE BOOMER BURDEN: How to Deal With Your Parents’ Lifetime Accumulation of Stuff”, currently available on Amazon.com, along with two companion guides.

Julie writes a weekly blog which is available at http://estatelady.wordpress.com, called The Estate Lady Speaks.

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Is it an antique and is it worth anything?
Would you know?

At some point in our lives most of us are going to put in a position where we have to ask ourselves the question-
Which of my treasured possesions should I keep because they might be worth something and which can I throw away?

Would you know??

We start our own homes full of enthusiasm and with all the lovely clutter that makes up our lives and that of the family, but as time goes on, the children leave home, we decide to move to a smaller house or maybe we decide to live abroad. At that stage we have to decide what to keep and what to part with.

As an antique dealer for many years I’m often invited into homes to assist customers with just that question – or with a cry for HELP!!

Well, we all have items we wouldn’t part with for a million pounds, precious bits and pieces passed down from parents and little presents from partners, children and grandchildren. Then there’s the layer of semi-precious items that, to make a bit more room, we could part with. Put these to one side and we’ll come back to them later – our second best treasures.

But the ‘cupboard fillers’ are quite a different matter! How many teas services, lace cloths and glasses do we need? In fact, be really honest, when was the last time you set the table with a starched cloth and all the cutlery amd glassware matching?

Call me a slut, but I usually serve friends with tea in china beakers. Wine is poured into glasses that are dish-washer friendly and the crockery and cutlery is an interesting ……….. mish-mash. It’s the company and stimulating converstion that’s important I tell myself.

So what should we keep and what should we part with? We’ve carefully put our special treasures to one side and now we must invite the children in to look through the ‘second best’ treasures.

Make sure they have a chance to refuse any bits you’re thinking of parting with. An old scruffy chair to your way of thinking might be a favourite to them and the comfy setting for many a bedtime story.

On a personal note after my mum died, my sister and I were clearing her things and we found an enamelled dish of little value. Ir was put on one side to give to the charity shop when my son asked if he could have ‘the money dish’. “Which money dish” I asked. “The one that gran always kept the pound coins in to give us when we visited”. Luckily the ‘money dish’ was passed on to a very happy grandson.

So now the children, and possibly the grandchildren, have had their pick. Time to decide what to do with the rest. Space might determine how thorough the pruning must be, but it’s worth knowing what you could sell and what you may have to give away.

Even antiques come and go ‘in fashion’. At the moment the style is minimalist. One carefully placed figurine, one item of polished glassware, not the over-the-top, not an inch of wall showing, style of the Victorians!

Anything that needs polishing, ie, copper, brass, silver and silver plated items are unpopular especially with the younger generation who manage to juggle a full-on family/working life. Equally, if it won’t go in the dishwasher, it’s a bit of a no-no!

So we’re narrowing the field of what we can easily sell.

Small, exquisite, exciting little pieces are desirable. It’s easy to get good prices for antique sewing items, silver thimbles, old needle holders, silk winders, buttons, even wooden cotton reels and pin cushions.

Another highly collectable area is – drinking! Old cork screws, bottle openers, wine and spirit labels, champagne taps, spirit measures and the pub water jugs for serving up with a glass of whisky.

Check through your drawers for old fountain pens and pencils and boys will be boys so hang on to any sporting memorabilia. Would you believe that a feather filled golf ball fetched £6,000 and old golf clubs, tennis rackets and snooker cues and balls are highly collectable.

Smoking acessories are politically incorrect, but old silver vesta cases, cigar cutters and interesting cigarette lighters can fetch a tidy sum.

Don’t neglect the children’s toy cupboard. Early tin toys, lead soldiers and more recently Star Wars and James Bond can raise much needed cash. Would you fancy parting with over £1,000 for a Victorian marble? Well it’s happened with a German end-of-the-day onionskin marble, so sift with care.

So there’s a few tips when planning a bit of a life laundry. Lots more advice to follow because I have a little corner of the shop at present where I’m selling vintage clothing, shoes, handbage and costume jewellery and it’s going down very well, especially with the younger age group.

Until then, happy spring cleaning!!

Loads of similar articles and a newsletter and resources for Antiques and Collectibles at:
http://www.architus.com

We run a small but beautifully formed General Antiques Shop which is situated in Kirkby Lonsdale In the Yorkshire Dales/Cumbria Border.

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