Antiquing Information

There are hobbies that educate and hobbies that increase your finances. Antique hunting is a hobby that can provide both benefits for you.

Antiquing involves a variety of different items. You can choose a specific type of antique to learn about and collect, or you can collect a variety of different types. An antique is described as any item that is over 100 years old.

Advice for Antique Hunters

* Focus your attention on just one category. This way you can learn every aspect of this type of antique. Identifying an antique can be simpler if you know what to look for. When you try to take on too many types, you could get overwhelmed. Once you feel comfortable with that particular category, move on to another.

* Knowledge truly is power. There are many different resources available for people interested in this hobby. Make sure the source you use is reliable. A museum is an excellent source, as they will have authentic items. Find an antique expert that will become a mentor for you and guide you through the process of identifying authentic pieces. Visit the library or go online to learn all you can about a specific time period or type of antique.

* Find the true value of an antique. This is critical in antiquing, especially when you are trying to create a business and gain a profit. If you do not know the true value, then you risk spending too much for an antique or selling too low. You could miss out on thousands of dollars, if you do not do your research.

Tools for Antique Hunting

If you are serious about this hobby, the following tools will assist in identifying potential antiques:

* Magnifying Glass - Carry this around with you at all times. Do not sacrifice quality for price. Get one that has a loupe eye glass, similar to the kind that jewelers use. These are not that expensive, and are great at magnifying.

* Black-light - This ultra-violet light reveals microscopic flaws like cracks or repairs. They are available in pocket size and even on a key chain. For effectiveness, go to a dark room and shine the black-light over the item in question. Search every inch of the item, looking for obvious flaws or hidden repairs. Repairs can be indicated by modern paints and glues. These will obviously greatly decrease the value of an item.

* Digital Camera - This type of camera will be useful when you are in doubt of an item's authenticity. You can take pictures of all areas of the item that will help you in your research. Make sure the camera has a built in flash, as you will need to be able to take picture in dark rooms. Make sure the camera also has a zoom feature, which will be helpful when trying to identify manufacturer emblems.

* GPS Navigation Device - This can now be found on many mobile phones. Travel is one aspect that tends to be a constant in antiquing. Whether you travel locally or out of town, a GPS can save you hours of time trying to find places.

Learn all you can about antique hunting, whether you plan to use it as a hobby or a business. To ensure you are a success, have all the knowledge and tools possible.

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