Hi
an old Jewish jeweller Maurice Mandelburg, also an appraiser, GIA
Australia etc. I spent many hours in his store
Aladdin’s cave or what?
Told me decades ago, when valuing an opera length faceted Chinese
cherry amber necklace for me, told me to look at the % charged for
the appraisal 1 to 3 % fair 5% or more be careful they are not
inflating the price.
He was surprised the necklace was real and not plastic from Germany.
Valued then $500, paid $200 todays value $2000. I would sell it but
alas my daughter has seen it. So it goes.
Bought it because it called to me, spent my last buck on getting it.
Guess I inherited something from the antique dealing English granny.
So Newbies if something grabs you, take a chance. What is rent and
food compared to a well priced treasure? Take your loupe of course
and do you homework. Recently bought 2 18 kt rings 4 grams each for
$120. There are still bargains if you look. A dear friend bought a
sterling Tiffany bangle in an op-shop for 50 cents she ALWAYS has her
loupe when shopping. I offered her $1 she told me to…
On antiques the Bullsht is classic. I still have the most
outrageous BS piece granny bought. Some little SHT lost the lid and
broke an ear (ME) LOL
A milk cow with a transfer of Nelson’s ship on it. The dealer, with
a straight face of course, told her this was Nelson’s personal milk
cow that he had on the Victory. Granny was a specialist porcelain
restorer, makes the story sweeter.
She could not resist and paid 2 pounds for it, an outrageous price,
best antique lie she ever heard, the story is priceless family
history however.
Over to you Aggie and your pregnant husband.
I also have a superb antique scarab, traditionally set in fine gold,
my grandfather bought the scarab while an engineer on Egyptian
railways. Lived in his own train carriage. The setting is so
delicate I would not wear it, but I still treasure it.
Hi Canucks my great grand father was the British engineer who
oversaw the building of your trans-continental railway.
We are weird bunch, make the Addams look normal.
Look for bargains they are still out there.
Richard