Thrifting Like a Pro: What to Look For (and What to Leave Behind)

Thrifting is part intuition, part knowledge, and part patience. With a trained eye (and a few simple tools), you can spot hidden gems—and avoid the heartbreak of bringing home something that looked promising but isn't.

🏺 Items with Real Potential

Fine china & porcelain

Look for known makers (Royal Albert, Wedgwood, Limoges, Meissen) and older backstamps. Hand-painted details, thin translucent porcelain, and soft wear on gilding often signal age and quality.

Crystal & glass

Cut crystal with sharp facets, weight, and clarity can be valuable—especially brands like Waterford, Baccarat, or Val Saint Lambert.

Silver (and silver plate)

Sterling silver is marked 925, Sterling, or Lion Passant (UK). Even silver-plated items can have value if they're well-made or from sought-after makers.

Ceramics & studio pottery

Signed bases, unusual glazes, and asymmetry often indicate artisan work. Mid-century pieces are especially collectible.

Vintage textiles & linens

Hand embroidery, lace, monograms, and natural fibers (linen, wool, silk) age beautifully and are increasingly desirable.

🚫 What to Think Twice About

• Modern mass-produced items with printed (not painted) decoration
• Heavy wear, cracks through the body (not just surface crazing)
• Missing lids, broken handles, or repaired chips (unless rare)
• Trendy items without maker marks

🧰 Small Tools to Bring With You

A magnet

Silver is not magnetic. If it sticks strongly, it's not sterling.

Your fingernail

Gently tap crystal—real crystal rings with a clear tone; pressed glass sounds dull.

A phone flashlight

Helps spot cracks, repairs, and clarity in glass and porcelain.

Reading glasses or phone zoom

Maker's marks are often tiny and easy to miss.

👀 Final Tip

When in doubt, leave it behind. Thrifting rewards patience. The best pieces tend to stop you in your tracks—trust that feeling.

Happy hunting 🤍