Thrifty shoppers understand that great deals can often be found at consignment stores, garage sales, and vintage retailers. Typically, whatever catches your eye is exactly as it appears; however, occasionally, a highly prized item hides itself among ordinary pieces — perhaps lurking behind another object or prominently displayed on a shelf within a thrift shop. A seemingly simple glass pitcher could actually hold significant value beyond its marked price. But how do we identify these exceptional finds? What distinguishes a meticulously crafted ceramic vase from one produced en masse during recent years? To shed light on this issue, particularly concerning attractive glassware commonly seen in such settings, we consulted an authority figure. The query centered around distinguishing genuine crystal from mere cut glass when encountered either in secondhand outlets or elsewhere up for sale again. Dr. Lori Verderame, holder of a doctorate degree and known both professionally as an art appraisal specialist and publicly through her appearances on TV shows, generously shared insights exclusively with House Digest regarding methods to discern precious crystal versus regular cut glass whenever they appear in thrift stores or similar venues.
Consistently sought after for both TV appearances and as an appraiser of antiques, Dr. Lori’s enthusiasm traces back to her youth when she would visit antique stores and auctions with her dad. Armed with this extensive knowledge, she can identify crucial elements regarding vintage glass items, such as
how to identify genuine depression glass while browsing through estate sales
And, naturally, identifying genuine crystal can be tricky. She cautions against relying solely on the sound produced when tapping two wineglasses together, as people perceive sounds distinctly. According to Dr. Lori’s insights shared with House Digest, one should look for optical cues such as transparency; “crystal appears more transparent compared to regular glass,” she explained. Nonetheless, she emphasized that understanding crystal goes beyond these surface-level observations.
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A Top Specialist Shares Precise Tips for Identifying Crystals
When you grab a glass bowl from a thrift store and notice its surprising heft, consider yourself lucky if finding lead crystal was your aim. As noted by Dr. Lori Verderame, Ph.D., an esteemed antiques appraiser and television host who spoke solely with House Digest, true crystal will indeed be heavier compared to ordinary glass of identical dimensions due to its density. This heaviness stems from the presence of lead oxide within lead crystal, which not only adds mass but also enhances the way light passes through it, giving it distinctive brilliance.
A piece qualifies as crystal if it contains 24% lead or more. Anything below this percentage isn’t considered crystal; there’s no such thing as faux crystal,” explained Dr. Lori. When shopping for crystal versus cut glass at a thrift store, how do you distinguish them otherwise? A key indicator of high-quality crystal compared to ordinary cut glass is its clarity. Is it transparent? Does it shimmer under illumination? However, should the item be grimy and dull, and assuming you’re in-store, cleaning it might not be feasible. In that case, purchasing it outright without examining its true condition becomes risky.
The easiest and best method to clean secondhand antique crystal is
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Even Seasoned Thrift Store Shoppers Can Use Authenticity Tips
If you frequent thrift stores and possess prior knowledge, your sharp gaze likely has the ability to discern valuable items. You understand how to recognize
the most important items to keep an eye on when attending estate sales
And crystal could be among the items you’re looking for. However, verifying whether something is indeed crystal can still pose challenges. To help navigate this, we consulted an antique appraiser, Dr. Lori Verderame, Ph.D., who shared exclusive advice with House Digest on distinguishing between lead crystal and cut glass at thrift shops. Besides offering guidance on identifying crystal, she also provided valuable input on what kinds of pieces to search for and highlighted popular manufacturers in high demand.
For those who love it, rummaging through shelf after shelf at a thrift store feels akin to going on a treasure hunt—minus the danger of encountering pirates—and as we spoke with Dr. Lori, it became evident that she too relishes this search and the discoveries awaiting within. When queried about particular items our audience might seek, she stated, “Highly sought-after and valuable items include crystal bowls, candy dishes, wine glasses, goblets, and sculptures.” She further advised knowing key crystal makers prior to visiting estate sales or secondhand stores. According to her, notable brands worth seeking out encompass Waterford, Swarovski, Steuben, Baccarat, Lalique, and more. These well-known names primarily hail from either Europe or America; specifically, Baccarat, Waterford, Swarovski, and Lalique originate from Europe, whereas Steuben comes from the United States.
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