How old does item have to be in order for it to be considered an antique???

This is a difficult question and the answer varies depending on whom you ask. In general, for an item to be considered an antique, it needs to be at least 100 years old. Paintings, bronzes and statues are described as antiques. However, many items not as old are still very desirable. They would fit more in the collectible or vintage category. Collectibles are objects that people want to collect that don't have to be very old. Items including Royal Doulton figurines, Barbies and Cars are collectibles. Often they are bought in groups. Vintage items represent a time period or era. You might hear descriptions like vintage 50s or 60s.  Art Deco or Art Nouveau items may also be considered vintage. Clothing, furniture and wines may all be described as vintage. Often times an item falls into more than 1 of the three categories.

How do I know if my item is sterling???

Most sterling items are marked . They would either say 925 (92.5%silver) or sterling. Silver items from other countries may be marked 800/835/855 or 900 also called low-grade silver. This means that they are 80%/ 83.5%/85.5% silver. Countries outside the United States may also use hallmarks such as a lions, panthers, anchors and much more.  Another mark is sterling weighted silver. This means that the item is filled with sand, cement, wax or plaster. Only the outer layer is sterling.  This is most common with candlesticks, salt and pepper shakers and knives from flatware sets. The extra weight is used to give the item more strength or keep it from falling over. It also saves cost by using only small amounts of silver. Weighted silver is worth much less than silver that is not weighted. If your item has no visible marks, it will need to be tested by a professional.

Are silver plated items worth anything???

Silver plated items don't have enough precious metal value to be sold by weight. Very often, they do not say the words "silver plated". That would be too easy. Many marks may indicate the item is plated. They may say silver co, silver on copper, EPNS (electroplated nickel silver), EP (electroplated), Heavy Plate, Community, IS (International Silver), quadraplate and much more. If the mark is not identified, you can contact us with pictures. We will try to help identify it. If you don't notice any marks or the marks are too small to see, you will have to have the silver tested. 

What should i do with my costume jewelry???

DO NOT throw it away!!!! One of the hottest things selling these days is vintage costume jewelry. Many of the old styles are becoming trendy again. The detail and craftsmanship of much of the costume jewelry from the past is incredible. Some say it is even better made than the real jewelry today. Also, gold and silver prices are so high that many people can't afford to buy the real thing.  Buying costume jewelry is becoming a better option. Older costume jewelry is more valuable, but its all salable.  Signed pieces also help a great deal.  Popular names include Miriam Haskell, Caro, Weiss, Sherman, Kramer, Trifari and much more. Most jewelry and antique stores will not buy these items. You will have to do a bit of research to find the right buyer. Please go to contact page for more information on how to find costume jewelry buyers.

Why can't I sell my antiques for what they were appraised for???

Most of the time appraisals are given for insurance purposes. This is used when your items get lost, broken, stolen or to settle an estate. The value given during an appraisal is the replacement or retail value. This is not the price you will get if you want to sell the item. This is the price you would have to pay if you were to buy the item in a store or retail setting.

How can I find out what my signed antique oil painting and/or bronze is worth???

Many people find it difficult to determine the value of fine art. When trying to get accurate prices you need to make sure you get current market prices. Years ago the only way to get the value was to use one of the auction price-guide books. These books were great back then, but now times have changed. The art market can be very volatile and it is important to check auction results every couple of years. If you are not sure about what the artist sells for today, please see our contact page and we can assist you. We can also put you in contact with one of the major auction houses.

What does the term "listed artist" mean???

Listed artist is a trade term used by people in the fine arts industry. It means that the artist has a record of items being sold or displayed in the past. Most of the time this is at auction, but it may also include galleries and art shows. If you have a signed painting or bronze and you would like to see if it is by a listed artist, contact us. We can help you get information about the artist and its current market value. We can also connect you with potential buyers and/or auctions. We work with all the major auction houses.

If you have a question about antiques, collectibles, jewelry or fine art, please email us at contact@antiquevaluations.com. If the same question shows up often enough, we will add it to our list.