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Monday, June 23, 2008
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antique jewelry from the uk Article Of The Month
Buying Antique Jewelry
By Roy Dietelzieg
Jewelry, next to land is just about the best investments you can make. This is because the value of jewelry increases over time. The older a piece of jewelry is, the more expensive it gets. This is the reason that there are many antique jewelry collectors in the world today.
Being that the market for antique jewelry is actually quite large, one must take care to get his or her money�s worth. Many people out there are ready and willing to take advantage of a person�s naivety. Dealing with the amount of money required to invest in antique jewelry needs a bit of finesse. You need to know what you are doing in order to avoid being scammed.
Most experts agree that the value of antique jewelry always depends on its condition. The rock may look good, but is the condition of the jewelry actually sound? How can you tell?
One thing you should do is check out the back of the jewelry. The fact is, you can rarely really tell the condition of the jewelry from the front. No forger is stupid enough to make fake antique jewelry look bad. What should you be looking at?
The answer to this question is: seams. The seams of antique jewelry often say a lot about the condition of a piece. In fact, the very existence of a seam can tell you that the piece may have had a previous life. It is often the case that jewelers will cut a piece of jewelry out of an antique dress or other old accessories in order to make them easier to sell.
Seams may also indicate the fact that the antique jewelry has been repaired. This can either be good or bad, depending on the quality of repair. If a piece of antique jewelry has been repaired, then it is either in a better condition or it is in a worse condition. One sure way of telling a bad repair from a good one is color.
Badly-repaired jewelry often has different colored seams. This is because of the fact that people who have no idea what they are doing often use cheaper metals to repair antique jewelry. If a repair is noticeable then it is badly done.
You should also take a look at the pins or attachments found at the back of the jewelry as these are indicators of age. Different styles of pins often indicate different ages and thus, you can tell whether or not a piece of jewelry is truly antique from the pin.
Mantel Clocks. These small, moveable clocks are generally placed on shelves or on fireplace mantels. They became popular in France in 1750 and are often constructed of ormolu, porcelain, or wood and can be strikingly simple or highly ornate.
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IS IT WISE TO REPAIR IT? Sometimes, what looks like damage actually makes an antique valuable. As with vintage cars, the original paint or finish on an antique desk might be prized, no matter what its condition.
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Types of Antique Clocks. Antique clocks come in a variety of styles and sizes, from those that were displayed in homes and public places to those meant for mantel pieces, desks, or even for travel. Some examples include:
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START WITH EASY FIXES. When you begin repairing antique furniture, it's smart to learn with simple projects. For example, a loose stretcher on a chair is a good place to start. Broken hardware can also be an ideal project for a beginner. If you're going to replace it with identical reproduction hardware, the repair can take just a few minutes. Always try to learn with "reversible repairs." This means a process that can be reversed with little or no damage to the furniture. You can always remove a screw if its head looks too new against older wood. But, if you've pried wood veneer off a table and--too late--realized that the veneer was important, it can be impossible to restore it.
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antique jewelry from the uk News From Around The World
I recently read an online news article about a childhood "toy" that turned out to be a solid gold Persian antiquity with an estimated worth of close to $1...
Have you just started collecting antiques or have you been given some beautiful heirlooms and haven't a clue how to care of them?
Antiques can be a wonderful reminder of our family, history or even an exotic touch from another place and time. Caring for these special items makes sure they can be passed down to another generation or sold at the greatest value.
Sites such as the BBC and Antiques-UK provide all kinds of information on caring for antiques. If you are in doubt contact a professional conservator. Following will provide further help in caring for your antiques.
With glass, pottery and porcelain, avoid extremes and handle carefully. Wash individually in a padded washing basin to prevent chips. Use warm water - never hot or cold - and a gentle cleanser with a soft bristled brush. Dont ever put antique glasses or dishes in the dishwasher. The extreme heat and harsh detergent can be harmful. Carefully wipe glasses dry and allow dishes to air dry. Liquids left in glassware can stain so avoid leaving cut flowers for example in contact with the glass if the water starts to turn or the leaves start to dry out.
Store or display glass and dishes in a safe place. Avoid displaying on an open shelf, rail or on the wall if your home is subject to vibrations from nearby trains or is busy with people passing by.
Both rugs and textiles require very gentle handling when moving, storing or cleaning. Moving should be done slowly and carefully as antique fabrics are delicate and can easily tear or pull apart. Rugs should be rolled with the pile facing outwards to prevent crushing or damage. Garments should be hung on sturdy hangers and covered in white cotton or rolled with acid free paper and tied closed on either end. Rugs and textiles can be cleaned gently with a vacuum on a low setting. Be very careful with textiles as the suction can pull fibers apart. For spills it is recommended by BBC antiques to put white paper towels under the rug and above, replacing them until no more liquid comes out. Any other cleaning should be done by an expert. Avoid exposure to sun or humidity.
Dusting of furniture should be done with a soft, lint-free cloth and wooden furniture only waxed with quality beeswax. Avoid placing furnishings in bright light or in rooms which have great changes in temperature or humidity. When moving antique furniture, always lift and never drag.
Antiques have a wow factor with most everyone, so proper care will help your investment increase in value or enable you to pass them on for the enjoyment of your family.
About The Author
Sintilia Miecevole is the Administrator of http://www. furniturexit.com and has information or resources from furniture, antique furniture, cheap furniture and custom furniture to ikea furniture, used furniture and more. Be sure to visit soon for further information.
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GET IT IN WRITING: any claims made about the item you are buying related to its age, origin, condition, or anything else that affects it value should be on the receipt. So should the dealer's name, address and telephone number. The receipt may help you get your money back later if required.
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