This takes some serious time investment and, depending on your reckoning of hourly pay, probably is not lucrative. But for a collector of such things, it is so very worthy of the effort. Collectors usually seek a specific item classification by a specific maker. Someone may be looking for Peruzzi, Florence, 800 sterling pieces (as opposed to the Boston pieces). Another enthusiast might only be interested in Austo-Hungarian enamel necklaces depicting St. George (with pearls of course). There are just so many different antique jewelry fetishes that the best thing I can do is give real life examples.
As a rule, you are looking for a seller who does not know what they have or is not sure of what they have.
Example: Sterling Guilloche Belt Buckle by Georg Adam Scheid
When I came across this light blue piece, it was listed for $12.99 on eBay. Hold that thought.
A further search of eBay showed items made and signed by Scheid ranged in price from €94 ($107) for a small, simple, sterling pin in the shape of a stirrup, holding a portrait of a horse, ...
The original light blue buckle sold for $37. It is unknown whether it will again become available (for a higher price).
As a rule, you are looking for a seller who does not know what they have or is not sure of what they have.
 |
| $12.99 |
Example: Sterling Guilloche Belt Buckle by Georg Adam Scheid
When I came across this light blue piece, it was listed for $12.99 on eBay. Hold that thought.
 |
| $485.43 |
A search for similar items yielded an almost identical
buckle for £380 ($485*). Both had markings on the back.
One seller knew what he had, the other did not.
buckle for £380 ($485*). Both had markings on the back.
One seller knew what he had, the other did not.
 |
| 94 euros |
A further search of eBay showed items made and signed by Scheid ranged in price from €94 ($107) for a small, simple, sterling pin in the shape of a stirrup, holding a portrait of a horse, ...
 |
| 7,500 euros |
to €7,500 ($8,574*) for a small, extremely detailed,
sterling, enamel, and jeweled pin depicting a Merbaby
riding a Merhorse (not to be confused with a seahorse).
sterling, enamel, and jeweled pin depicting a Merbaby
riding a Merhorse (not to be confused with a seahorse).
The original light blue buckle sold for $37. It is unknown whether it will again become available (for a higher price).
*Per exchange rates at the time of this writing.
