Have you always wanted to start your very own antique collection, but aren’t sure where to start?
Maybe you inherited some antiques from a relative and want to expand your collection. Or perhaps you’ve always been fascinated by artifacts from different time periods and want to learn more about history as you search for new items.
Whatever your reason for collecting antiques, this guide can help you get started. To learn how to collect antiques as a beginner, keep reading.
Understand What an Antique is and Identify Your Goals
To become an antique collector, you need to know two things: what types of antiques you’re looking for and what “antique” really means.
Most of the time, an item must be at least 100 years old to be considered an antique. Something less than a hundred years old may be vintage, but it won’t usually be considered an antique.
That’s not to say younger items can’t also be collectible and valuable, however. Vintage collections often consist of items that don’t truly qualify as antiques but are worth preserving nonetheless.
No matter what kinds of items you want to collect, knowing how old something is plays a key role in determining its value. And that leads us to the second thing you need to know: what kinds of items do you want to collect?
If you’re fascinated by a particular culture, you might want to collect antiques from that part of the world, like these examples of Chinese antiques. Or you may want to find items produced during your grandparents’ time.
Whatever your intentions, it’s important to set your goals up-front so you’ll know what to look for.
Understand That Antique Collecting isn’t Always Expensive
A common misconception about antique collecting is that antiques are always expensive. Although many things increase in value substantially as they get older, not all antiques are costly. In fact, smaller items might cost as little as $5.
Learn to Recognize Fake Antiques
If you’re serious about collecting antiques, you’ll want to learn how to spot a fake. This is especially important if you intend to collect highly coveted items, such as pottery or coins.
Learning to identify fake antiques starts by knowing what kinds of items you want to collect. If you’re looking for Depression-era glass, for example, do some research to find out what specific items are likely to be faked.
A good rule of thumb is to familiarize yourself with how materials look as they age and the kinds of marks left by modern manufacturing. If you find a piece that looks too new to be as old as it’s advertised to be, it’s likely a fake.
Start Your Antique Collection Today
With that, you now know how to begin building your antique collection. Whether you’re interested in expensive antiques or going for affordable garage sale finds, these tips should be all you need to get started.
For more up-to-the-minute info on everything from fashion to lifestyle, keep reading our blog.
