Antique Collecting as a Rare Hobby

Everybody gets old eventually. Like the things in our surroundings, all that we see will grow old as time passes. This process is natural and cannot be helped. And the same with people, who gets wiser as they get older, things also go though the same process and the same concept applies. The older the things are, the more money they are worth and the more they are susceptible to antique collecting hobbyists.

Finding Value
As people get older, so do their experiences and they can tell various stories about how they've come to their present situation. By looking at someone, you can assess if they've had hardships or experienced pain. And by letting them talk about their past, you find value in their words and they gain your respect.

But not everybody is valuable. There are people who will appear as broken and not as interesting as other people. These are the types that you'd not notice even when they pass you by.

This same concept applies to antique pieces. Some are really precious, you can tell by just looking at some how old they seem to be and what era they've originated. The older they are, the more value is put on them.

But some things, even when they are old, are less valuable because of their condition. Some pieces are beyond repair or they aren't as important as the others. As a hobbyist, you want something that they can treasure and tell other people the stories behind their collection.

The Right Pieces
Placing value on things, especially antiques, determines how much they'll be priced on the market. The more unusual an antique is, the more costly it will be because then it becomes a collectible that you can preserve and eventually sell at a higher price.

When you have a collection that may be vital to the next generation, you can consider yourself rich because those pieces can be passed on to your children and their children as well. So settle for the right pieces and make sure that you take care of them to help retain their worth as the years go by.

Antique collecting is a way of preserving history. So do your share and protect the pieces you have so that they'll be seen by more people in the future.

Antique collecting and cleaning tips

For those who are into antique collecting either for a business venture or for the pure pleasure of taking care of the treasured possessions is one thing they should be very particular about. This is because proper maintenance will keep the item in its best condition at all times ensuring that it will increase its value as times go by.

If you are into collecting antiques, here are some antique collecting tips that can help you maintain the good condition of the items:

1. Know the specific care requirements of the antique piece in your possession. Since antiques belong to a buy and sell trade, the best care advice would come from the dealer where the pieces were bought. When you are buying antiques for your collection, make sure that you ask the dealer to provide you an extensive list of procedures of how to take care of them. Aside from the list that the dealer has provided, you can also conduct your own research on how to take care of them properly. (REMINDER: Seasoned antique collectors would agree that there are antique pieces that require regular cleaning and polishing to retain their good condition while there are pieces that can retain their good condition without putting anything on them.)

2. Know in which category a specific antique falls. This is very important for antique collecting because it will determine what kind of care you should give the antique piece. Knowing what category the piece belongs to will give you an idea of what you need to take care of it. Aside from giving your accurate procedures in cleaning and maintaining it, the category of the item will also determine what kind of storage it needs to keep it well.

The following is a rundown of antique types and the proper means of cleaning them to maintain original value:

- For coin collections, experts say that it is best to leave them the way they are found.

- For ceramic items, these should be carefully cleaned with the use of lukewarm to hot water and a mild soap or wiped with a damp cloth especially if it has painted features.

- For brass pieces, use a patina or mixture of flour, vinegar, and salt made into a paste and rubbed gently using a soft piece of cloth.

- For furniture pieces, these should be cleaned regularly with water with parts of detergent and bleach to ensure that no mildew can grow. To remove sticky substances from furniture pieces, use hot water and a lemon juice on it.

- Bronze items for antique collecting should be cleaned using a damp cloth that has been soaked in water and soap. (REMINDER: Never use patina on bronze items because it can leave white spots on it that can decrease its value.)

Antique collecting online

Indeed, the Internet has become a haven for people who are into antique collecting. This is because online shopping for antiques has saved them time, energy, money, and the effort compared to scouting for valuable pieces in various antique stores and shops nationwide.

Just like in other fields, the Internet has opened a door of opportunity for antique collectors and sellers alike because it made the trade so much easier and convenient. For those who are looking for antique pieces as part of their collections or for business purposes, shopping online is a very wise option. This is because they can visit multiple antique websites at one time and can do extensive research with just few clicks of the mouse.

For antique sellers, the Internet has also become a paradise because they can offer whatever items they have to a wider range of potential customers. Unlike when they just display the items in a store or shop, posting it on the web can reach millions of people worldwide in a short span of time. When this happens, the cycle of their business will be much faster and they can generate income in no time.

A unique way of shopping for antiques

For people who love to shop for unique items, the Internet is the best and easiest way to do it. This is because the online sites can give you seemingly endless lists of items on sale or being auctioned. Online shopping for antiques is a practical way of collecting unique pieces because you can choose from a wide range of items including clothing, fashion accessories, jewelry, toys, furniture, glassware's, artworks and so much more.

If you are planning to conduct your antique collecting stint online, what you need to do is spend a whole day with a fast Internet connection. The former will enable you to have plenty of time to research without having to worry about other tasks or scheduled appointments while the former will enable you to open multiple antique websites as well as other sites in a hassle free and ultra convenient way.

Once you have set the two, you can now proceed to your online shopping. If you are wondering where to start, just open a website and search for an antique piece or pieces you have in mind. Once selections have popped up, you can start opening the sites and the rest will follow. (TIP: For optimized research and easy antique collecting online, visit auction websites such as EBay. Here, you can view the antique items available in an instant. You can also view online comments and reviews that can help you decide.)

Best pieces for antique collecting

Aside from proper maintenance and cleaning, one of the basic things that people who are into antique collecting should know is the best kind of antique collections.

Possessing the best

With the popularity of antique collecting today, it is a must that people be very careful in choosing the items they want to collect. Seasoned antique collectors agree that knowing the valuable pieces is very important for antique collecting because this is will determine the future value of the item on hand. The following are just some of the best pieces ideal for antique collecting:

1. Wooden furniture and wood-crafted items. Indeed, the undying beauty of wooden furniture and other items that are crafted from wood never cease to amaze people. This is because the beauty of wood furniture when taken care of properly never fades and continues to increase in value especially if it's made from rare or expensive types of wood such as mahogany, walnut, or oak. Today, furniture and other wooden items are among the most sought after antique pieces because these are not only used a decorative but useful objects that are a wise investment piece. If you are planning to collect furniture and other wood crafted items, make sure that you choose those furniture pieces that have a wide range of wood types, intricate designs as well as those that belong to a specific historical era that depict the styles in the mentioned era. These can be European, American, English, and Chinese.

2. Jewelry and other accessories. This type of antique will require a lot of money so it is best to conduct thorough research on the item or items you wish to purchase. Antique jewelries are very rare in this time and age because the majority of them are being remade or restored. Since not all elements used for jewelry can stand the test of time, many manufacturers decide to remake them and market them as restored pieces. If you are into collecting antique jewelry, it is best to seek the help of an expert to authenticate the age of the piece and a reputable jeweler to ensure that the jewelry has not lost its value.

3. Ceramic pieces. These are also wonderful pieces for antique collecting because ceramics can last a long time when taken care of properly. Ideal ceramic pieces are Asian or Oriental-inspired because they are intricately designed. (TIP: Choose ceramic items that are not painted to ensure that they will remain beautiful despite their age. Or, if you want colored ceramic items, choose those that are fire-glazed to ensure that the color or paint won't peel off.)

Glass items, toys, vintage clothes and other items made of cloth, books, and various artworks are also good pieces for antique collecting.

Don't To Be Fooled in Antique Collecting

How can you tell? That is essentially the question that we need to answer. Today, ironic as it sounds, the latest hi-tech machines are able to create different kinds of products and make them look old. It is quite unfortunate that a number of people take advantage of collectors and professionals alike, trying to sell fake items as the real deal. But the sadder part of this story is, even some of the expert antique dealers get fooled.

Experience is probably one of the best weapons against fakes. Experienced antique dealers often develop a sort of sixth sense with regards to identifying the real thing and the fake ones. But, of course, being an experienced dealer doesn't mean you have to rely solely on intuition. Your knowledge about the antiques gives you an edge over fakers.

If you're still a newbie in this trade then I have three words of advice for you: research, research, research. You need to know everything about antiques and I mean everything. From historical information to the most trivial facts, you never know when a bit of information can help you identify the authenticity of the item. You can go to libraries, to flea markets, or the web. There are a lot of places where you can dig up information.

If you still haven't developed that sixth sense of yours, then make use of what you have. You have five of them. Observe closely every surface, corner and side of the item. Look for the obvious signs and the not so obvious ones to see if the item is a fake.

For example, how the pieces of furniture are assembled will give you an idea of when it was made. Antique ceramics often have a rough bottom as opposed to newer ones. You should also feel the surface. Attempts to make the items older will always be noticeable so be sure to check on those. Look at areas which exhibit normal wear and tear.

Another thing that might be a give away is the price. Although antiques often don't have a fixed price and it is common to undervalue or overvalue an antique piece. Still, be wary of a seller that gives you a big discount immediately after you've rejected the first offer. The fact that he's in a rush to sell the thing might be a sign that there's something wrong with the item so don't be fooled.

Getting Started In Antique Collecting

Antique collecting may seem easy but it's not. When you think about it, it can be a difficult hobby. Antique collecting does not mean that all you need to do is to just look for things that are old and buy them. That's not the essence of the industry. What antique collecting is all about and perhaps what makes it so exciting is the fact that looking for an antique with real value takes talent and a lot of luck.

You see not all old things are antiques and not all antiques are actually valuable. There are some antiques that are valuable because they are nice to look at and that they can be used at home but the real value is not really there.

In fact, some of the antiques that are really expensive are not even pretty. Some are damaged while others cannot even be displayed.

With all this, antique collecting seems so difficult to do. It is but the great thing about it is that it can be learned. You can learn how to collect antiques through research and practice.

Researching and studying the art of antique collecting is actually easy to do especially if you have the will to do it. There are a lot of books out there that you can buy in bookstores or borrow from the libraries. These books will teach you the rudiments of antique collecting.

With the world wide web so easily accessible, people can now get a lot of information about any topic imaginable. For sure, there are a lot of stuff written about antique collecting. Search on yahoo and Google search engines and you will find a lot of websites that are dedicated to the hobby of antique collecting. Here you will find forums that will help you in your research. You can post questions and the moderator or other members of the site will answer your questions.

Another way to get started with antique collecting is to make sure that you look for antiques! Researching is well and good but you won't go anywhere if you don't get out and start practicing what you have been reading in books.

Go to antique shops and see for yourself what their products are. Ask the proprietor about their antiques. Try to guess the value of each antique that you see. That way, you will be able to hone your skills in the business.

Let's Deal in Antique Collecting

Let's deal or not. If you think collecting antiques is an easy occupation then you might be surprised how demanding it actually is. Determination, perseverance and hard work are the needed character foundations of a good antique dealer. Dealing antiques is not for the weak hearted, so to speak. You might say that I'm exaggerating but after you read this article, decide for yourself.

The first step is to study, study, study. Since were talking about very old subjects, you will have to do extensive research to get to know more about your subject. You can't properly appraise an item without knowing how important it is. So this means going to libraries, seeking out books, online resources, and interacting with dealers, owners, and collectors to grasp the oral history of the antique items.

If you studied hard enough, you will be able to identify quickly and efficiently valuable items in market places, shops or stores, and private collections. You can grab the opportunity when it presents itself. This is part of the life of an antique dealer.

Be sure that you clarify the fact. Don't accept everything as piece meal. You have to verify everything unless you want to find yourself in a tight spot with inquisitive clients or collectors, and trust me I say that collectors will definitely bombard you with questions about the items. And why wouldn't they? Everyone wants to get their moneys worth.

That's why it would be ideal to create your own reference guide as you encounter facts and details on different antiques. You'll find that most antique dealers have at least a general guide to keep them on their toes.

When dealing with antiques, you will need a store or shop ideally in a good, cost efficient area. Flea markets and even online stores or auctions could be your first attempt in entering this new trade.

If you were able to get a profitable sale, if would be wise to expand your inventory or at least make plans to do so in the future. However, it would be wise to pay off any overhead costs pending first before you expand your inventory. This will help you keep afloat over your debts and think about profits much clearly.

This also means you will have to consider resale prices of antique items. You don't want to spend too much acquiring antiques or your resale value will not be competitive with prevailing market rates. You also might need another job to get the funding for purchasing items unless you're quite rich.

As part of collecting antiques, be prepared to spend a lot of your time searching for items, cleaning them, researching their history and ideal market prices. If you cannot handle this kind of life and work then having to deal antiques is probably not for you.

Online shopping for antique collecting

Antique collecting online is one of the things that people who do not have the time to stroll shopping stores are thankful for. This is because shopping online can save them not just a lot of time but money and effort as well.

Indeed, the Internet has opened a wide door of opportunity especially to people who love to find valuable things but don't have the time or the physical capability to do it. If you are one of those people who love to find things without having to spend so much effort by going to places, online shopping is perfect for you.

Valuable tips for shopping for antiques online

Although shopping for antiques online is a very enjoyable and easy task, it is not always safe especially if you don't have enough knowledge about the trade. To make sure that you will get your moneys worth when buying antique items online, take note of these tips:

1. Familiarize yourself about the item you are eyeing. You can do this by conducting some simple research on the item. Although most of the brief descriptions that come with the items posted online are true, it is best if you conduct research of your own so you will get all the information you need, especially the not so good ones.

2. Be aware on spotting fakes. Of all the items that are marketed as antique online are branded jewelry. This is because earrings, bracelets, necklaces, and other fashion accessories can be easily reproduced or restored. You can determine is the item is a fake or not by relying on the price. If the item is way below your expected price, then most likely it's not authentic.

3. Take time to know your dealer or seller. The good reputation of your dealer can veer you away from vendors that have illegal businesses. If you want to get a background on a specific seller, you can ask for feedbacks from his or her recent customers. You can also read online comments and testimonials about the dealer on various auction sites he or she is involved with.

4. Mind your limitations. This is very important because it can help you decide which are the items worth buying. Setting a limitation to yourself will also prevent you from being impulsive when shopping for antiques online. Once you have set your limitations, make sure that you stick to it no matter what to avoid spending too much money than you should.

5. Take time to know your rights and practice them if necessary. Antique collecting and shopping online are easy ways to get started with antique collections. However, before you indulge too much into online shopping for antiques, make sure that you take time to understand the disputes and procedures of the auction site to avoid future problems.

The ABCs of antique collecting

Antique collecting is one of those hobbies that can last a lifetime. This is because the "hunt" never ceases to fuel the drive of people to look for and eventually possess the finest things in lives.

Aside from giving people a chance to possess items that are truly works of art, antique collecting can also provide them an enriching learning experience as well as the possibility to meet people with various cultures and backgrounds. Collecting antiques can also be a helpful diversion especially to very busy people who don't have enough time for their personal hobbies.

But, among all the advantages of antique collecting, being a venue for a lucrative financial gain is one of the major reasons why more and more people are getting into it. No matter what the reasons behind your antique collecting whether it is for future investment, for pure appreciation of art, or for satisfying your need to possess beautiful things you will never go wrong with the hobby as long as you know what your limitations are.

Antique collecting for starters

The population of antique collecting has grown into large proportions because of the seemingly limitless potentials it offers. If you are new to the hobby, then it is best if you familiarize yourself with the things that you need to know about antiques. This information should include the basic terminologies used in antique trading, types of antiques, ways to determine the authenticity of a specific item, and how to take good care of the antiques. This information can be researched online or by reading various reference materials such as books, magazines, and the like.

If you are having doubts about buying a specific antique item, consider the following concerns:

1. Gauge how much you want the item. Many people who are starting with antique collecting tend to get overwhelmed easily. This is the case especially if they have seen authentic pieces for the first time in their lives. To ensure that you are not making hasty and impulsive decisions, know how much you want to spend. If you want a specific item that much, throw all your cautions and hesitations to the wind and buy it. Just make sure that your financial status won't suffer.

2. Check if your budget can handle it. This is very important especially for beginners because it can help them spend wisely. Knowing your budget limitations and sticking to it no matter what is very important because it will help you develop the discipline needed when you decide on things in future.

3. Identify the theme of your collection. This is also very crucial in antique collecting because it will veer you away from buying things you don't really need. Setting a theme for your collection will somehow limit you in buying antique items that you see in various stores or online auctions.

The importance of maintenance in antique collecting

Antique collecting is one of the most rewarding yet tedious hobbies a person could ever have. This is because it requires so much money especially if you are eyeing the most exquisite items. It also requires so much time to be able to find authentic pieces. Although finding an authentic piece is a real burden to the antique collector, the real test of patience will be when it comes to maintaining an antique piece.

Taking care of antique pieces

Many veteran antique collectors would agree that the most basic thing that a good antique collector must learn and master is how to take care of the antique pieces properly. This is because it is the only way to maintain and appraise the value of the antique collection.

Taking care of antique pieces not only involves proper storage but also proper and regular cleaning. Thus, if you are planning to make antique collecting a profitable business or you just want to possess something that can increase its value in the long run, you must familiarize yourself on how to keep antique pieces in the best possible condition.

One of the most important factors that affect the condition of any antique piece is the storage. This is because the storage serves as the protection of the antique from harmful elements outside such as temperature, humidity, dust build-up, and the like. Antique collectors should be very particular about this because if the storage is not suitable for the nature of the antique, it can make the situation worse by bringing immediate damage to the item.

When it comes to storage, experts agree that that it depends on the kind or type of antique you have. Since antiques comes in a wide range of items that include furniture, pottery, glassware, toys, jewelry and all sorts of things, each item should be placed in storage where it will be maintained.

Antique clothing pieces or something that is made out of cloth like rugs, carpets, and other wall hangings are one of the hardest to maintain because these need delicate care. Since they can easily absorb dust and stains, it is a must that they are placed in a storage such as framed glass or enclosed box. Aside from protecting them from dust and liquids, the storage can keep them away from insects that can damage the item. (TIP: Make sure that you cover the antique item with cotton paper or acid free paper and place it in a dry and clean place to avoid changes temperature from ruining it.) For glass items, they should be placed in glass case and always wiped with a clean, acid free cloth to avoid dust and stain build up. Furniture pieces should always be cleaned and regularly checked by an antique specialist to avoid deterioration.

Indeed, antique collecting can be a very lucrative business for as long as you know how to maintain and protect it. If you want to get information on how to maintain antique pieces, check out antique magazines or websites.

Tips in antique collecting

Antique collecting is one of those hobbies that require a lot of attention. This is because the details of the antique items will determine its value in the present as well as in the future.

If you are just starting with antique collecting, it is a must that you familiarize yourself with all the things about antiques. You should be very well aware about the antique trade including where to buy unique pieces, how to look for fakes, basic terms that are used by the seller or the vendor, and the best time to buy antiques.

But, among other things, are how to spot the real ones from the fake. This is very important because it won't just save you money but also time and effort.

If you are a beginner in antique collecting, make sure that you learn to differentiate the fake ones from the real ones by category.
In wooden antique furniture, real ones are those that bear signs of age like shrinks, cracks, and warps, slightly jagged edges, not symmetrical shapes, unequally widths and sizes, inaccurate sizes of each piece, shrunk inlays, and very thin filming when it comes to the mirrors.

You will know that the furniture isn't real if the construction is too accurate. (REMINDER: One of the easiest ways to spot a fake when it comes to furniture is that it was made after 1860.) Others hints include drawers that fit too perfectly, a polished finish, long screws and fasteners, and more popular types of wood such as walnut or mahogany.

When it comes to glass items, take note of the length and width the glass. Real ones are those that are thick and blurry while the restored ones may be a bit thinner and clearer. For cloth items, it is best to seek the assistance of a textile expert because it can be hard for an ordinary person to gauge the age of a certain fabric. In pottery, real items can be hard to find because they can easily be reproduced. But you can still find original pieces by using history books as references.

When it comes to antique collecting, being knowledgeable is the basic investment you need. It is always best to educate yourself about antiques to avoid acquiring fake items. If you are knowledgeable about antiques, you can also benefit from it by sharing it with your fellow antique collectors.

What you should know about antique collecting

If you are planning to start antique collecting as a business, it is best if you conduct some extensive research on it. This is because if the business isn't planned carefully, it won't be the success you wanted it to be. (TIP: If you don't have enough money to gamble in buying antique pieces, it is best if you think twice before indulging in this trade because it can rob you off your money without you even knowing it.)

Antique truths

When it comes to antique collecting especially in selling the items truth always matters. This is because being honest and truthful about the items you are selling can help build your reputation as an antique seller. For those who are planning to start antique collecting as a business, the following are some of the truths that you should know about antique selling and buying:

1. Never rush in buying antique pieces. Although being impulsive works well in other fields, this is not ideal when it comes to buying antiques because it can only lead to buying items that are truly worthless. If you are eyeing a certain antique piece, make sure you conduct some research first. When it comes to auctions, a little research after seeing the item is not ideal because someone will surely get it before you. The best way to go about this is to conduct research on various items before attending an auction. (TIP: If it's possible to get a list of the items that will be on the auction, it will be better because you will have plenty of time to research on it.)

2. Always be cautious when buying antique items. Sometimes, even the experts are being fooled by people who market various items as antiques because these pieces can easily be reproduced or restored. To avoid buying fake items, always take extra precautionary measures. Aside from conducting your own research, it is best to seek the assistance of a reliable expert to check the authenticity of the product.

3. Make sure that you know what are you looking for in an antique. Today, antiques come in so many classifications. Some shops market items that are 50 years old as antiques while others market pieces that are 100 years old. Before you buy anything for antique collecting, make sure that you know what you are looking for so you will not waste your time in canvassing for things that you don't really need.

Where to buy pieces for antique collecting

Antique collecting has been a popular form of hobby and business to so many people. This is because it gives them the opportunity to acquire exquisite things while giving them a stable source of income at the same time. But, antique collecting is not as easy as it may seem. This is because the tedious process requires a huge amount of money, a sufficient storage area, and a lot of knowledge especially in maintaining and taking care of it.

Despite the rigid requirements and dedication needed for antique collecting, many people are still into it. If you are one those people who are into antique collecting whether for business or for aesthetic fulfillment it is always best to educate yourself about it. Gaining knowledge about antiques could be in the form of research from various sources such as the Internet, books, and magazines. You can also gain knowledge on basic antique trades and learn some valuable tips from antique crash course classes available in universities or in online sites.


If you are wondering where are the best places to find unique and authentic antiques, you can go to:

1. Garage sales. It can be a garage sale of your neighbor or in the nearby area. Garage sales are ideal places to look for antiques because the owner usually sells items at such a low price. If you have a keen eye on antique items, you can even buy pieces that are truly valuable.

2. Single-owner shops. These are also one of the best places to find antique items because you can assure that someone will entertain your inquiries. More and more antique collectors prefer shopping in various single-owner shops because they get personalized service without so many distractions. This is quite ideal because you can ask the owner personally everything about the antique piece. (TIP: Once you get to talk to the owner, you can even get good bargains at lower rates.)

3. Antique shops. Today, antique shops and stores are usually found in malls. For those who have enough money to spend on expensive items, antique shops are the best place for them because they can acquire rare items that cannot be found anywhere else. Aside from getting personal assistance, another advantage of buying from an antique shop is that there is a greater possibility of acquiring authentic items because these stores cannot operate without the proper license and documents.

4. Online sites. Auction sites and antique sites are the most common places where people shop for items for their antique collecting. Actually, this is the most preferred form of shopping because it is very convenient for the shopper. Although online shopping provides utmost convenience, antique shoppers should be very careful in transacting online because they could get fake items.