Finding the Value of Antique China
Antique china can be very valuable depending on its age and design. Patterns that are considered to be rare are highly sought after and are therefore worth more. Some of the more common patterns tend to saturate the market and therefore may fetch as high a dollar amount. But, when you are looking to invest in antique china, the task can get complicated if you do not know what you are looking for. There are some ways to determine the value of china.
The first way to determine the value of antique china is to do research about china before you start investing in it. Learn which types of china are sought after from which dynasty and what kinds of patterns to look for. While you are shopping for your antique china you will need to examine each piece of china that you are thinking of buying to determine its worth.
There are several things you should be looking for. First you should examine the china with a magnifying glass. Look to see if there are any noticeable chips, cracks, scratches, discolorations or other blemishes. These imperfections will be important factors in its worth and will be used in its appraisal. While it is easy to see chips and cracks in the china with your naked eye, it can sometimes be much harder to see where the china has been repaired in the past.
One thing that some antique hunters have resorted to carrying around for this particular reason is a back light. Using a black light reveals things that you wouldn’t be able to see in our normal range of spectrum light. But, under the black light, these well-done repairs become obvious. All you need to do is take the piece of china that you are interested in purchasing into a dark room. If the china has any cracks that have been repaired in the past you will be able to see them with the black light. Plus, the newer paints applied to modern day china will glow under black light as well. This gives you another great way to verify its past. Each flaw that the china contains will decrease its value.
Beyond its condition, you will also have to be able to identify the age of the china. To do this you need to locate the piece’s mark or emblem. This is usually it is found on the bottom of the china. If you are lucky there may even be a production year. This is very important information in determining its value. Dating the item accurately may sometimes be a way to tell you that the antique china you are interested in investing in is a reproduction and not actually an antique. By learning all about antique china you are making this task easier.
It is possible for you to become a wonderful antique china hunter. All you need to learn all you can about your craft in order to find true bargains. There are those in this world that would be very willing to sell you an antique piece of china that is not really an antique if you let them.
