Archive for the "Antiques" Category

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On The Hunt For Antique Jewelry

Most antique jewelry is very valuable, and
purchasing such jewelry costs quite a bit of money.
But then again, it is possible to buy antique jewelry
wholesale as well – if you know where to look.

Most people think that online auctions, such as
eBay is the way to go. While this is true
occasionally, you will usually find that the seller
knows the value of what they are selling, and the
price is quite high. There are other ways to find
antique jewelry at wholesale prices – or below.

Keep an eye on your newspaper for advertised
estate sales and garage sales. Typically, at these
sales, the people holding the sale really don’t know
the value of what they have. You can literally
purchase hundreds or thousands of dollars worth of
antique jewelry for just a few dollars on a typical
Saturday morning.

It is important that you not look too closely at the
jewelry when you are buying it. If the piece is
valuable, you don’t want the seller to know how
valuable it is! It isn’t your fault that they didn’t get it
appraised – as you will as soon as you leave! Keep
a straight face, keep your happiness and joy to
yourself, and pay the fifty cents or two bucks that
they want for the piece, get in your car and head to
a trusted jeweler for an appraisal!

It is possible that the piece isn’t worth anything –
but occasionally, you will stumble across some real
finds! Even if the piece isn’t worth anything, if you
make jewelry, you may be able to disassemble it
for the parts.

Finding antique jewelry wholesale is very exciting.
In fact, spending those Saturday mornings at the
yard sales and estate sales may even become
addicting! Yard sales and estate sales – especially
estate sales where grandchildren are not interested
in their grandma’s old ugly jewelry are the best
sources for antique jewelry at wholesale prices – or
below wholesale prices.

This doesn’t mean that there aren’t some real find
on eBay as well, so don’t discount it. Keep an eye
on the jewelry categories, as well as the antique or
vintage categories. When you do find something
you want to bid on, make sure that the seller has a
good reputation. If the piece is very expensive, use
the escrow service that is recommended by eBay.
Also talk to the seller quite a bit to be sure that you
understand exactly what is being advertised!

Techniques for Antique Furniture Restoration

Furniture can easily age over time. However, antique furniture restoration can be used to help make the upkeep of the furniture better. It also helps to restore the shine of the furniture and to make the furniture look vibrant again.

Antique furniture restoration is generally needed after a metal piece of the furniture has been damaged and some parts of the furniture are missing. Corrosion from rust will be a major sign of a need for restoration in metal furniture and other pieces that may have metal parts.

The color of the furniture is something that should be taken into consideration during the restoration process. Some color enhancements may be needed. Staining the furniture can be used so that the colors in the furniture will stay at their best and will have a better shine to them.

Removing rust is another of the things to do. One of the furniture restoration tips to follow for this is to watch for the bronze or brass works in the furniture. Tools used for removing rust should not come into contact with bronze or brass. Oxide should only be removed from parts of the furniture that have rust on them and should not come into contact with any other part of the antique furniture.

Another of the furniture restoration tips to use is to consider the three categories in which furniture parts for restoration fall into. The first part is that of handles, knobs, hinges and facings. Bronze and brass are commonly featured in these parts. Sometimes these parts will be engraved or etched.

The next of the categories for antique furniture restoration is inlaid plates and mechanisms in the furniture. This includes mechanisms that have been escalated on antique guns.

The third of the categories relates to antique clock parts. These should be well handled so that the antique clock mechanisms will not be disrupted.

One of the furniture restoration tips that can be helpful is that of using a derusting fluid. A fluid like this will contain hydrochloric acid and dilute phosphoric. These items will dissolve oxide that has rusted and will leave a slight grey finish on the item the fluid comes in contact with. These are commonly used for car parts and hardware but they can be used on furniture too. Antique pieces will need something else.

Using paraffin oils will also help. Light oxidation will also work in some cases. It is best to talk with an expert on restoration to see if these products are right for the individual piece of antique furniture that is going to be restored.

Antique furniture restoration can be used to make furniture look like new again. By using these furniture restoration tips it will be easier to get furniture to look its best without damaging the furniture. It’s an important part of the home so it should be treated with special care.