by Dr. Lori Verderame
Ph.D. Antiques Appraiser Dr. Lori’s recommendations for treasure hunting tools and storage products to protect your treasures and thrift store finds.
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for a one stop shop of all the items I recommend.
Loupe
Get the loupe Dr. Lori uses! Great lens and LED light helps you read tiny marks on pottery, jewelry. Great for spotting damage on thrift store finds before you buy.
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Diamond Tester
With antique and vintage gemstones and precious metals, correct identification is key. Know real from fake with this professional diamond tester. Easy to use.
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Gold Tester
Easy-to-use portable gold tester. Tells: 1. karats of yellow, white, and rose gold, 2. gold from gold plate and non-gold, 3. platinum. LED display.
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Gemstone Tester
Presidium II. Tests diamonds and colored gemstones like ruby, amethyst, emerald, sapphire, etc. with Assisted Thermal Calibration (ATC) for easy, correct identification.
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Battery Black Light
A portable, battery operated black light that will show damage on objects, uranium glass, restoration on artwork and more.
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Black Light
Rechargeable! Use it for finding hidden damage on clothing and purses, restoration on paintings, tears on prints, hairline cracks on ceramics, glass and more.
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Lead Test Kit
Easy to use swabs give results in 30 seconds. Just wet swab, rub the painted surface, check swab color for lead. Test vintage china, jewelry, toys, metal, ceramics, antiques, and more.
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Cotton Gloves
Machine washable, comfortable cotton, great for protecting and inspecting art, antiques, collectibles.
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Gloves
Disposable gloves are best when cleaning out dirty storage lockers, attics, garages while protecting objects. Good grip.
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Scale
This jewelry scale accurately measures in grams(g), ounces(oz), grains(gr), carats(ct), pennyweights(dwt), and troy ounces(oz t) for all your weighing needs. Made in USA.
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Pocket Scale
An accurate pocket scale for gold, silver, coins, jewelry, gemstones, grains, etc. It is lightweight and portable.
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Magnet Bracelet
Use this magnetic bracelet to spot valuable jewelry when shopping at thrift stores. It’s fashionable too.
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Measuring Tape
Tape won’t scratch/damage valuable antiques. Convenient 2 pack: 1 at your sales shipping counter, 1 in car for yard sales, thrift stores.
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Plate Stands
Table easel/plate stand that’s perfect for home interior design and to enhance home decor. Display heirloom china, vintage photographs, postcards, framed prints, paintings and more.
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Secure Collectibles
A little dab secures collectibles on display shelves like crystal, ceramic figurines, sculpture, etc. Secure collectibles and prevent breakage.
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Flatware Storage
Wooden silver storage chest resists tarnish. Don’t bother cleaning silver. Holds a service for 12 of knives, spoons, forks.
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Flag Display
Attractive way to display a large flag on a shelf or hanging on a wall. No flag? Use as a shadowbox for other collectibles.
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Display Case 7″
Perfect size for collectibles like baseballs, Beanie babies, pocket watches. Keeps them clean and protected to retain value.
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Tag Protectors
Beanie Babies tags are important for maintaining the toys’ value. 10-pack saves money—buy in bulk. Protect Princess Diana, Valentino, Peace bear and all your collectible Beanie babies.
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Photo Album
Keep vintage photos and postcards in acid-free, non-toxic albums. Easy to organize, access, and view with family and friends.
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Photo Corners
Self-sticking makes these acid-free corner mounts easy to use. For photo albums, scrapbooking, display of your watercolors, artwork, postcards, etc.
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Trading Card Pages
Great for all types of collectible cards—Pokemon, baseball, sports, Star Wars, postcards, etc. Cards won’t fall out. Acid free, non-toxic, and waterproof.
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Archival Bags
Archival bags are the best for vintage comic books, magazines, newspapers, etc. Non-toxic, clear view, acid-free. 100 pack saves money.
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Picture Hanging Kit
Everything you need to decorate your home with art. Variety kit has everything so you can hand lightweight or heavy frames.
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Display Case 12″
Display case for sculpture, pottery, teddy bears, fragile items, china figurines. Protects from dirt, makes a statement, finished look.
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Display Box
Modern design cube for displaying everything from art sculptures, vintage purses, figurines, art, and other collectibles.
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Acrylic Easel
Sturdy, good looking acrylic table easel displays collectibles, bowls, plaques, books, small framed artwork, stained glass, memorabilia, family heirlooms, photos, keepsakes, etc.
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Storage Tote
Storage tote keeps out damaging light, water, dirt, moisture, yucky bugs. Add Oxygen absorbers to keep collectibles dry when stored in tote.
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Archival Box
Avoid acid, pollutants, and damaging light by using this archival box. Care for your treasures and avoid discoloration, fading, damage.
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Large Jewelry Box
Keeps jewelry separate and organized. Prevents scratches, damage, and devaluing your fine jewelry, gemstones, and costume jewelry.
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Acid Free Box
Acid-free box for photos, prints, historic documents, newspapers. Drop front design prevents damage. Slide objects in easily. Strong metal corners.
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Textile Storage
Keep quilts, afghans, clothes, wedding dresses, blankets stored safely and free of damage. Proper acid-free storage keeps textiles’ value.
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X-Large Jewelry Box
Fine jewelry and costume jewelry storage and display helps you easily select items, find heirlooms, and keep jewelry in good shape.
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Oxygen Absorbers
Oxygen Absorbers help keep your stored items free of dampness and mold. Easy, convenient packets.
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Bracelet Jewelry Box
Protect your watches and bracelets with this jewelry box with removable rolls. Easy to find your favorite bracelet or wristwatch as it protects the fragile bracelet clasps and closures.
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Acid Free Tissue Paper
Must-have acid free tissue paper for wrapping and protecting art, antiques, collectibles. Bulk sheets make wrapping easy and economical.
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Acid Free Sheets
Great for small wrapping jobs. Individual sheets are handy for storing china, Hummel figurines, Lladros, and other small collectibles.
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Foam Wrap
Foam wrap cushions and protects glassware, fragile china, ceramic figurines, kitchen collectibles, etc.
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Foam Sheets
Individual foam sheets are best for storing plates, serving trays, china, crystal, all types of figurines and collectible objects.
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Cotton Drawstring Bags
Store fragile jewelry, ceramics, china, crafts, silver, quilts, and clothing. Natural cotton muslin, various sizes.
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Plastic Reclosable Bags
The best for organizing costume jewelry, small collectibles. Zip-lock, vapor-block, safe polyethylene bags.
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Oxygen Absorbers
Keep damaging moisture away from your stored antiques. Individual packets–just drop in to a storage tub with collectibles.
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Flatware Storage Liner
This storage liner holds a lot! Inside flatware separators won’t scratch. Cloth prevents tarnish.
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Garment Bag
For wedding dresses, vintage furs, clothing and all vintage fashion. Best solution for quilt and textile preservation. Also use a padded muslin hanger, acid free tissue, cotton gloves.
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Padded Hangers
This is my padded muslin hanger of choice for hanging vintage clothing, fur, wool, and other textile preservation.
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Finishing Wax
Protects and highlights antique wood furniture, stained glass window frames, doors, room dividers, etc.
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Silver Care Kit
This kit has all you need in 1 place. Remove ugly, damaging tarnish and oxidation. Reveal silver patterns with the best tools and polish.
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Cleaning Duster
Great cleaning tool for tight spaces. Cleans fragile and small spaces on objects. Not only for your keyboard but for other collectibles too.
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Cleaning Cloths
Won’t scratch, mar or mark your antique furniture, art, or fragile collectibles. Great for glass, jewelry, crystal, porcelain, etc.
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Polishing Cleaning Cloth
Non-toxic cloth will shine, polish, and protect valuable gold, platinum, all types of jewelry, metal objects, silverware, coins.
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Linen Tape
Acid free linen tape to secure mats, protect prints, photos, and works on paper inside frames.
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Framing Point Driver
All you need to frame your art. Better than brads or nails to tightly secure backboards to frames.
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Framer’s Points Refills
Metal framer’s point refills for your Framer’s point “gun.” Won’t split wood frames; holds tightly.
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Picture Hanging Kit
All you need to decorate your home with framed artwork. Variety kit has sized hooks, wire, brads, etc.
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Foam Board 8×10
Choose white foam core to protect the back of framed prints, photographs, samplers, etc. Replace damaging wood, cardboard (acidic and damaging) or paper backboards.
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Foam Board 11×14
Standard size and useful to have a 10-pack on hand. Protects your valuable paintings, prints, photographs while protecting the fragile canvas and paper.
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The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
This updated book, a NY Times bestseller, will help anyone succeed in business. For collectors or resellers, the habits will help you up your game.
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Contagious: Why Things Catch On
Shows you in order to spread the word about something, word of mouth is best. Learn to use technology to get your message across.
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Seymour Lipton: An American Sculptor
Dr. Lori’s book on Abstract Expressionism with insights on World War II and the Mid-century Modern era via the art of a major American sculptor.
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The Agony And The Ecstasy
The Agony and the Ecstasy is a fascinating biography of Michelangelo and the painting of the Sistine chapel ceiling.
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Art History 101 . . . Without the Exams
An overview of the world’s famous works of art, the artists who made them, and their historical meaning. Buy Now from Amazon »
The Monuments Men
Monuments men tells the story of the World War II military leaders who saved precious works of fine art from war torn Europe.
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Saving Stuff
Get guidance to preserving your collectibles and family heirlooms using tips that museum professionals use.
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