Finding Antique Treasures

“What should I watch for, Daryle?”

That’s the question more and more people ask me everyday. What you should watch for while you’re out treasure hunting is whatever is priced cheap enough for you to double your money or more. When I leave the house, I’m an explorer looking for the chest of gold and jewels. When I find a chest, I won’t know what’s inside it, but I’m hopeful it will be filled with treasures.

Once I open the treasure chest, I might find my treasure comes in the form of an oyster plate, as it did for our member, Marsha. Cecil’s treasure was a painting. You can be assured, as they left the house, they had no idea what treasure was in store for them that day. How many ship wrecks did Mel Fisher search for before he found the Atocha? I understand he was just about broke when he found that ship and all its treasure. Now his story will go down in history, not to mention the great wealth he accumulated. So don’t quit before finding the mother load.

How many 49ers would have struck it rich if they’d only stayed another month? Your journey might be like the young man in Florida I wrote about in my book, whose purchase of a $25 painting changed his life when it sold for over $675,000. Or maybe your journey will be more like mine, where over the years, I’ve had several huge scores, but the accumulation of many average or a little above average finds have proven to be the secret to my success. Even the turtle crossed the finish line, and I have known many of these turtles in the Antique and Collectible field. If you stay the course, your fortune will be made one way or the other.

In the meantime, it’s Friday and have you prepared for the weekend? Do you know the sales you’ll be attending? Are they garage sales, estate sales or auctions? Have you passed out enough cards and spoken to plenty of people each week that you’ve now been called out to the fertile field of someone’s home?

It’ll be coming up upon a year that I’ve been blogging. I haven’t missed a day. You should have a fairly healthy list of items etched into your mind along with some sensible business insight, now, to put to good use when you enter the door of your destination. I hope it will be just like opening that treasure chest. Maybe it will be a piece of Rookwood or Grueby pottery. Maybe a Rene Lalique or a Tiffany. Perhaps a prized western painting, a special baseball card or comic book that hasn’t been touched since the 1950’s. These items could change your life, and I can guarantee you that your chances of finding one them is far greater than winning the lottery.

Please be patient as our site undergoes reconstruction. Cindy, Jeremy, Chris and Clarke are working hard and more dedicated to your success than you can possibly imagine. As the weather warms up and sales spring up everywhere, I’ll be waiting to hear from you about your treasures found.

Stay ahead of the times and get there before the crowd. Join 31 Club today. Can you get FREE MENTORING anywhere else but here?

Learn Inside the Industry Secrets. Make high profits and learn to grow your money buying and selling antiques, fine art, and collectibles with the strategized plan found in my 220 page book,31 Steps to Your Millions in Antiques & Collectibles. It's FREE with your membership.

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News of Economic Downturn Finally Hits Mainstream Media

Yesterday, Cindy sent me an America Online story link that came up as a featured AOL News story. “People Sell Belongings to Make Ends Meet,” was the AOL story in which Associated Press writer, Anne D’Innocenzio states, “Struggling with mounting debt and rising prices, faced with the toughest economic times since the early 1990s, Americans are selling prized possessions online and at flea markets at alarming rates.” I scratched my head and said, "Hmmmmm."

Later in the day, Kovels’ Komments Newsletter showed up in my mailbox. While the Kovels’ are not part of the mainstream press, they are a recognized authority in our industry, and in their newsletter, they acknowledged “The economic downturn has created new sources for antiques and collectibles.” I scratched my head and said, “Hmmmmm.”

Yesterday was April 30th. Didn’t I post a story back on April 18th about the economic downturn and its likely effect on the Antique & Collectible industry as well as its effect on family life? Yes, I did. It's titled, “Inflationary Times Good for Antique Dealers, Collectors and Families,” and it’s been all over the Internet. Could it be I was ahead of the mainstream call?

Then, Cindy reminded me that we made economic commentary on our April 15th Blog when I stated (and I’m quoting myself here) “Timing is everything, and right now the time is right to be buying at bargain prices. At times like these, when people are stricken with fear, and the market fluctuates, we’ll be able to make our best purchases.” I also wrote in that same article, “It is likely that those who feel weary with our economy will likely sell their better items.” Hmmmmmm.

I’m flattered that others would follow our lead and be in agreement that these are going to be some hard times for people. Yet, at the same time, it will be the best of times for people in the Antiques & Collectibles Industry. The signs of it have already emerged, and Cindy is busy putting together a 31 Club Newsletter that will soon go out to our members about this very topic. If your 31 Club can continue to stay ahead of the pack, then we'll able to fill our coffers before others get started, won’t we?

Today, I’ve decided to post my April 18th article, with its link, as today’s Blog entry:

Inflationary Times Good for Antique Dealers, Collectors and Families

Daryle Lambert

With news of inflation heading in an upward direction in energy and food, is anyone really at all surprised? My family has been feeling it for almost a year now. When the newscasters give us the latest figures, do they truly believe we need them to announce it to us? We all go to the grocery store and the gas station and can put two and two together. We know there’s inflation, but this period of time might be just what's needed to revitalize our families, as well as the Antique and Collectible Markets.

When money is tight, families will likely spend more time together cleaning out their houses of unwanted junk, and be especially on the lookout for items that might be of value. We’ll probably see an increase in the number of garage sales and an increase in items coming up for sale at auction houses. Isn't this just what we need? I believe this period of time will be like a child going into a candy store. There will be all sorts of candy for us to choose from, and the knowledgeable antique dealer will always spot the best. Our goal at the 31 Club is to make our members one of the best. For those of us who want to make money selling antiques, collectibles and fine art, the time couldn't be better. The weather is improving, and soon the kids will be out of school. Be sure to include them in your treasure hunting plans because all the children that I've run across enjoy going to sales. Often my children have pointed me in the direction of some real treasures.

Aside from these upcoming hard times being good for those of us in the antiques industry, I believe it will be a good time for family. When a family’s gasoline bill out paces their mortgage payment, it makes sense people will be spending more time in their homes with family and friends rather than running all over the country looking for fun, dining and entertainment. We’re likely to go through a period of nesting, as the cost of going out for a simple hamburger will likely cost more than some are willing to spend. Eating at home may become a necessity rather than a chore. Driving around the block a couple of times just to clear our heads could cost you big on gas, so we just might have to head down to the basement and begin working at that workbench we forgot we owned in order to clear our heads. Maybe at that workbench, we’ll be able to construct a toy for our kids, or teach our children something about building.

Days of reading together, cooking together, enjoying family meals while discussing the day’s events, watching educational television and family shows together might just be a great remedy for what seems to ail us. We might even find that walking together after dinner and getting to know our neighbors could bring us amazing joy. Imagine that!

Rather than finding it necessary to continually looking for entertainment outside the home, the hike in prices can produce interest in family events and the sharing of common interests again and again. Like Collecting. Collecting is likely to become more popular, and from this interest, groups will be formed and deeper relationships forged.

Parents might even participate with their children, once again, in hobbies such as stamp and coin collecting. Some of my greatest joys are now coming from talking with my nine-year-old son about Show Globes, Foreign Coins, Webkinz and Nascar. This is a great way for us to spend a quality afternoon or weekend. Many people were writing off the Antique and Collectible business, concerned that there were no new collectors, and that the youngsters had no interest in anything that didn’t scream high tech. But, this tightening of the family budget may produce the next crop of antique and art collectors.

If this sounds like what goes on in the town of Mayberry, and Andy and Aunt Bea might be stopping over momentarily with a delicious out-of-the-oven apple pie to share with you,would that really be all so bad?

I truly believe that in addition to being good for the Antique and Collectible Business, the hard times ahead can be good for our families. By staying home and working together, money is saved and a real sense of joy and pleasure will return to our homes once more. No longer will we have to settle for the artificial pleasure that the world had convinced us we couldn't live without.

These times seem to be returning, not by choice, but out of necessity. These changes in our lifestyle may leave us with withdrawal symptoms for a while, but in truth, it might be just what we need to get our sanity back. When we do, I’m guessing we’ll feel like we’ve found heaven on earth. When you get off a spinning merry-go-round, it’s often very difficult to keep your balance. But once we keep our feet planted firmly for awhile, it sure is going to feel great. What a great time this can be to reflect upon, and see through clear eyes, what a wonderful and magnificent world God created. And just maybe we'll find some good antiques, too.

Stay ahead of the times and get there before the crowd. Join 31 Club today. Can you get FREE MENTORING anywhere else but here?

Learn Inside the Industry Secrets. Make high profits and learn to grow your money buying and selling antiques, fine art, and collectibles with the strategized plan found in my 220 page book, 31 Steps to Your Millions in Antiques & Collectibles. It's FREE with your membership.

LINKS:

Daryle's Article
Inflationary Times Good for Antique Dealers, Collectors and Families

AOL Article
People Sell Belongings to Make Ends Meet
http://news.aol.com/story/_a/people-sell-belongings-to-make-ends-meet/20080430090909990001

Rose Medallion Porcelain - An Antique Chinese Import

Many items were imported to the U.S. from China during the 19th and 20th centuries. Rose Medallion china was one of these imports. This very colorful china was a real hit in the U.S., and today, you might find pieces at almost every sale you attend. In fact, I’ve found many great pieces at garage sales and was able to pick them up very inexpensively.

Once you are familiar with these very distinctive Rose Medallion patterns, they can be spotted a mile away. Almost every piece of Rose Medallion will have from four or more panels that are decorated around a central medallion. This medallion is either a bird or peony, and the panels evolve from this medallion. The panels show birds and people in a background decorated with trees of peonies and leaves. The colors are what gives its origin away. They include greens, pinks, and many other colors that appear to be almost pastel.

The great thing about this china is most people lump it all together as almost worthless china. By now, you should know that this works to our advantage. Also adding to our advantage when searching for Rose Medallion, is that it’s usually unmarked. Because it wasn't usually used for serving, the pieces can often be in mint condition and have very little wear on their bottoms. This is unusual for items that might be over one hundred years old. The variety of this china is limitless. You will find Baskets, Bowls, Candlesticks, Chargers, Garden Seats, Punch Bowls, Tureens and Vases. Always ask the seller if they’ll take less for this china because it is considered by most to be of little value. I have found it very easy to negotiate a price to my liking.

This is a subject where you’ll want to do a little research. You might start by going to eBay’s completed auctions, searching under “Rose Medallion Porcelain,” and then trying another word combination, like “rose medallion” or “rose medallion china.” I have found that you can come up with different items by the word combinations you use. I’ve suggested many times to search eBay, and the reasons why you might do this. First, to familiarize yourself with the different pieces and second, to see actual prices achieved at auction for the better pieces. Here’s sample from eBay: A Pair of Sauce Bowls $2500, Two Vases $1400, Wash Basin $1300, Platter $750 and a Bowl $700. Not bad for what most put little value on. Once you’ve searched eBay, do a search with a search engine, or even try searching by image.

I once went to visit a woman with many items to sell from her home, told me her father had spent many years in the Orient. I purchased almost everything she had for sale. It took every spare inch of my truck to haul away all the goodies. This is the same home where I purchased a large oriental urn, written about in my book, 31 Steps to Your Millions in Antiques and Collectibles.

I called a dealer friend of mine as soon as I returned home from her house, and he arrived to look at my treasures. He hardly keep his eyes off the large urn I purchased. He asked me for a price on the urn, and continued to ask me for a price on the urn. Finally out of frustration I said $2,500 and he said “Sold.” No one had to tell me that I just made a tremendous mistake, but it was too late. Yes, I only paid a few hundred dollars for it, but that isn’t a good excuse. I broke my own rule about not selling anything until I had researched it.

It was from this woman’s house that I also purchased some Rose Medallion. I probably spent $500 on pieces of this china. I was just guessing that it was old, but it did pay off for me. To the best of my recollection, those pieces brought me back over $7,500.

As you can see, I bought it all. If you ask that woman today if she was satisfied with the prices she received, the answer would be yes. That’s the way I like to do business.

Join with like-minded 31 Club Members and put a turbo charge on your treasure hunting skills. Get FREE Mentoring. Learn Inside the Industry Secrets. Learn to make high profits and continue to grow your money buying and selling antiques, fine art, and collectibles. My 220 page book, 31 Steps to Your Millions in Antiques & Collectibles is FREE with your membership. The book is also available on Amazon.com. If you buy the book on Amazon, then the membership is FREE.

LINK:
eBay Completed Sales Page

Antique Majolica - Know It by Sight and Win Big

Antique George Jones Majolica Butterfly Cheese Keeper with very slight damage sold on eBay April 27, 2008 for $4,500.

This wonderful colorful pottery known as “majolica” has been reproduced time and time again since the 14th century. As a kid I was always interested in watching films where the ground in great cities of the world were excavated, and the archaeologists uncovered wonderful vases and pots. Many of these had interesting designs, but it was the colors that caught my eye.

Majolica is produced by covering the body of a piece with an opaque, tin enamel, hiding the color of the clay. Whenever a Majolica dealer is set up at an antique show, I can’t pass their booth without stopping in.

Today’s Majolica Collectors have a wide range of items to choose from, so there is plenty of opportunity to form a rather substantial collection. My daughter, Dana, just became interested in these wares, and when Marsha found the oyster plate that I just wrote about yesterday, I remembered Dana’s interest. You see the oyster plate is Majolica.

But we are first in the business to make money, then, if we make some good buys and sells, we just might find ourselves being able to form our own collections from the good trades we've made. I told you once that when you follow my lead, you will know where the money is made. So, I’m telling you today, majolica is an area where you can still make some serious money. But you need to be on the inside track and know the secrets.

Many people are afraid to invest in Majolica for a couple of reasons. First, so much of the Majolica is unmarked. Second, it’s still being produced today and they might not know a vintage or antique piece from a current one. This fear keeps many people from investing in it and gives us a tremendous advantage if we seize the opportunity. Once you see the real thing, you won’t be fooled after that.

A book that I’d like for you to purchase, and it’s perfectly fine to buy it “used,” is The Collector's Encyclopedia of Majolica. (There's links to any of the books I mention at the end of the Blog). This is an older book, but its price makes it a great value compared to the other majolica book prices. Another fabulous book, though pricier, is Majolica: A Complete History and Illustrated Survey. Cindy says Abesbooks has a better buy on this today. These are single, used copies so they go quickly.

It’s also a good idea to get up close to some of these items, so next time there is an Antique Show in your area, make every effort to get there. In fact, I can’t stress enough the importance of attending Antique Shows. You’ll get a close up view of some of the finest examples of most of the items I write about. Nothing replaces a real encounter with an authentic piece.

I said that most majolica wasn't marked but there is still a lot of it that is marked. For example, one of the best known names in majolica ware is George Jones. If you come across his pieces, just shout “WOW.” Most people would recognize his pieces if they ran across them. Here’s why: There might be an English registry mark on it. His mark might be as simple as a very small circle with a “J” that passes through the G. Two other English companies you might recognize are Minton and Wedgewood. These companies produced majolica wares.

Here are just a few examples of values in marked majolica: George Jones Game Pie Dish – Fox crouching near dead bird – Jones 1875 – 11 inches - $8000. Garden Seat – Birds and Floral – Jones 18 inches - $15,000. I think you’re getting the idea. The wonderful thing about majolica is that there are always willing buyers, yet there are so few people who really know the better pieces.

I’m waiting for Marsha to call me because I might even have a bigger surprise in store for her. The oyster plate she picked up might be George Jones

Join with like-minded 31 Club Members and put a turbo charge on your treasure hunting skills. Get FREE Mentoring. Learn Inside the Industry Secrets. Learn to make high profits and continue to grow your money buying and selling antiques, fine art, and collectibles. My 220 page book, 31 Steps to Your Millions in Antiques & Collectibles is FREE with your membership. The book is also available on Amazon.com. If you buy the book on Amazon, then the membership is FREE.

Books:

Collector's Encyclopedia of Majolica
At Abesbooks (BEST VALUE)
At Amazon

Majolica: A Complete History and Illustrated Survey
At Abesbooks (BEST VALUE)
At Amazon

George Jones Ceramics: 1861-1951 by Robert E. Cluett
At Abesbooks
At Amazon

Link:
Majolica International Society - History of Majolica

*** 31 Club Official Website ***

McCoy Pottery Teaches 31 Club Member the Power of Showing Up

Vintage McCoy Pottery Vase with Leaves recently sold on eBay for $43.99. There were 7 bids.

It does my heart good when I see something I have taught come true with my own eyes. In this case, finding treasure where other people dare not to trod makes a great subject for today’s blog.

Two days ago, Marsha, a 31 Club Member, called and asked if I would go with her to see some pottery that someone had placed a classified ad about. The vision of Teco, Grueby and Newcomb began dancing through my head. I could see that one special piece just waiting for us. Instead, Marsha told me the ad in the paper said 100 pieces of McCoy pottery, a lower end pottery, and the asking price was $500. Needless to say, my balloon was deflated rather quickly, but I agreed to go with her if she would pick me up.

She arrived within the hour, and we began our journey together. When we arrived at the location, I perked up when I saw it was familiar to me. I had attended many calls from this particular neighborhood, and most of them had been very profitable.

We were greeted warmly and invited in. McCoy Pottery was everywhere and the better pieces McCoy produced dominated every room of this gentleman’s home. In the basement there were over a hundred pieces of McCoy, perhaps ten pieces of Shawnee Pottery, and one oyster plate. These were the items he was interested in selling.

He told us what some of the better pieces would bring on eBay, and he was correct. This man knew his pottery. When I calculated the total, I could see the overall value could easily bring about $2,000. He knew this, too, but said he simply didn’t want to bother with them. He was so right on the money that I felt strange in asking if he would take less than the $500 he was asking -- but you know my rule. Thankfully, he supplied the courage for me when he mentioned that he hadn’t had any other visitors. I offered him $400. What a fantastic gentleman. He said if we agreed to take them all, he’d let them go for $400. Marsha had herself a deal.

Marsha and I headed back to the car to get some packing materials, and I asked her what she thought the profit on the pieces would be after she had sold them all.
“Maybe a thousand dollars,” she said. I asked her how she arrived at that figure. “I think I should get a least $10 a piece for them, don’t you think?” I didn’t want her to get too excited, so I told her that with the Shawnee pieces, it will probably be closer to $20 a piece. She was thrilled. Then I asked her, “What about the oyster plate?” She asked me what I meant. “The oyster plate will bring you more than you paid for all the other pieces,” I told her. She looked like a deer in the head lights. I can’t wait to see her final total after selling them all.

The ad for this pottery was in a public paper, but no one answered it. Why? I’ll take an educated guess and say that people saw the word “McCoy” and figured it wasn’t worth much. That was my initial response. Boy, were they wrong. This is an example of what I meant when I’ve told you never miss an opportunity to visit someone’s house. Many times when I’ve gone on a call, I didn’t end up purchasing the items I went to see, but walked out with some of the greatest treasures I have ever purchased. When you go on a call where there is no competition, you can take your time looking, and this is where your skills and knowledge come into play. You see, I immediately spotted the oyster plate and knew that we were going to make the deal.

It took Marsha a couple of trips to pack up all the items, but she got them all. I wish her well in selling them and advancing up the 31 Steps.

Join with like-minded 31 Club Members and put a turbo charge on your treasure hunting skills. Get FREE Mentoring. Learn Inside the Industry Secrets. Learn to make high profits and continue to grow your money buying and selling antiques, fine art, and collectibles. My 220 page book, 31 Steps to Your Millions in Antiques & Collectibles is FREE with your membership. The book is also available on Amazon.com. If you buy the book on Amazon, then the membership is FREE.

Visit our Website, here.>

Orrefors Glass

7" High Orrefors Vase: Edvin Öhrström's "Graal" with Portraits of a Man & Woman, 1941 is offered at FreeFormUsa.com at $18,500

Have you ever assumed you knew something, only to later discover how mistaken you were? This doesn't happen to me often but it has happened in the last few months. I figured that I was somewhat knowledgeable on most good glass produced in the last hundred years, however, this proved to be false. Orrefors was a name I was familiar with but had always thought it was too contemporary for me. How wrong I was.

The Orrefors Company was founded in 1898 in the province of Samaaland Sweden. It was fortunate to have some of the best glass masters to be found anywhere, and they produced marvelous bowls and vases. Some of the best known artists to work at the Orrefors Company were Edvard Hald, Vicke Lindstrand, and Nils Landberg. There never has been finer glass workers than these artists, and most of the finer pieces are signed “Orrefors” along with the name of the artist or his initials.

I don't have a current book on Orrefors, but after writing this Blog, you can be assured that I will order The Best of Modern Swedish Art Glass: Orrefors and Kosta 1930-1970. This book has a price guide, too.

I did find some information on the company in my book by Victor Arwas, Glass Art Nouveau to Art Deco, and this proved helpful. You must be asking yourself why this particular company caught my eye. The easy and quick answer to this question is the price that Orrefors’ better pieces bring in the market place. This is just the kind of item that we’re searching for. The ones that few people know much about. And, when you find the right piece, the rewards can be quite substantial.

Here are just a few of the prices from Kovels Price Guide to give you a little taste of what's out there. Vicke Lindstrand did a vase featuring a shark killer, depicting a nude man diving, carrying a knife. This 12 ½ inch tall vase could have a value approaching $15,000 or more. Other Orrefors vases, one depicting a Pearl Diver, as well as one of an Oriental Princess both list at over $4,000. This isn't bad considering they both are only 8 inches tall.

Orrefors still produces glass today, and that is where I got confused. The modern pieces bring very little money, usually. These aren’t the pieces we’re searching for. You should definitely do your homework on this fantastic glass.

I learned a very valuable lesson with regard to Orrefors. Never judge all things about a particular subject with the limited knowledge that you’ve gained until you have done a complete study of it. I broke this rule. You see, I have seen hundreds, if not thousands of pieces of Orrefors. Usually it has been extremely inexpensive, so I assumed all Orrefors pieces were inexpensive. Boy, what a mistake I’ve been making. But, for me, the worst thing is considering how much money I might have walked away from. I’ll not be making that mistake again.

Join with like-minded 31 Club Members and put a turbo charge on your treasure hunting skills. Get FREE Mentoring. Learn Inside the Industry Secrets. Learn to make high profits and continue to grow your money buying and selling antiques, fine art, and collectibles. My 220 page book, 31 Steps to Your Millions in Antiques & Collectibles is FREE with your membership. The book is also available on Amazon.com. If you buy the book on Amazon, then the membership is FREE.

Visit our Website, here.>

Links for Other Recommended Glass Books:

Orrefors: A Century of Swedish Glassmaking

Miller's 20th-Century Glass: Over 2000 Items - Identified - Valued

Miller's Art Glass: How to Compare & Value

Resale Jewelry - Everything that Sparkles isn't a Diamond

Uncut Diamond, the Sierra Leonean Giant Sefadu, was found in 1970 weighing in at 620 carats. Photo from BBC News

Last week, I had the opportunity to buy some nice resale jewelry, some for trade and a few pieces for my wife. There is wonderful money to be made from buying and selling resale jewelry, but you must have an iron will and a few set rules when buying resale jewelry.

I have never been offered great items at reasonable prices, so there has to be a lot of negotiating before you find a bargain. Since you likely aren’t a gemologist, you will be guessing as to size, color, and quality of the stones mounted in that ring, broach or necklace. Even if the piece comes with an appraisal, be skeptical. These can be easily made.

The content of the metal mounting is one thing that helps to reassure you of quality. If it is 24 carat gold, there is a much better chance the stones are real, and the same can be said about a platinum mounting. Once you get down to 10 carat gold, these pieces might very well have artificial or semi precious stones.

The rule I use goes like this: I know what the gold or platinum is worth, and usually the offer I make is never more than twice the price I can get for the metal in the mounting. This way, I seldom get hurt, and often I end up with a bargain. Jewelry is one area that you should never feel guilty about your offer. To give you an example of what I'm talking about, I was once offered a tennis bracelet by a woman who showed me the receipt from when she bought it. She paid $3,500. Knowing the gold was worth close to $600, I offered her that, and she accepted it. To this day I don’t know what it’s worth, because I gave it to my wife. However, I do feel safe in saying that at today’s metals prices, I could at least double my money should I decide to sell it.

I’ve previously written a Blog about my friend Warner, who purchased a 24K designer gold watch for $200. One of the reasons he was able to do this was because it didn’t say 24K, but instead had a mark from France that indicated this was 24K gold. Today, this watch might bring as much as $10,000.

My grandfather was originally from Cuba, and when he came to this country he worked for the L & N Railroad all his life. Once when he was traveling though Kentucky, he stopped at our house, and before he left, he handed my mother three large stones that looked like common rocks. He told her they were diamonds. My mother stashed these away in a safe place for many years.

After my Grandfather’s death, my Dad suggested they check out whether or not these rocks were really diamonds. Louisville was the only city large enough to get this information, so off they went.

They shared the story with a store manager in Louisville and asked if they would be willing to cut the largest stone they could from one of the rocks. The store manager agreed to do that, so they left the rocks in his possession and returned home.

They soon received a letter stating that the diamond had been cut, so they returned to Louisville to a very suspicious and inquisitive greeting. Two men started to question my parents about the rocks, but after a lengthy period of time informed them that yes, the rocks were indeed diamonds, probably from Arkansas. The rock they were able to cut turned out to be about the size of a nickel, perhaps larger on its crown.

The manager handed them the bill for the work they’d done and told my folks that if they would allow the shop to keep the cuttings from this rock, they wouldn’t have to pay for the work. Being young and not having to pay out any money sounded like a good idea to them, so a deal was struck. They took their stone and other rocks home.
There is a sad chapter to this story, however. Over the many years and numerous moves, the other two rocks were lost. Boy, would I like to speak to my Grandfather and get the full story about where these stones came from and how they ended up in his possession.

The reason that I share this story with you is to state that everything that sparkles may not be a diamond, but everything that doesn’t sparkle may be a diamond in the rough.

Don’t just follow the daily Blog. Join with like-minded 31 Club Members and put a turbo charge on your treasure hunting skills. Get FREE Mentoring. Learn Inside the Industry Secrets. Learn to make high profits and continue to grow your money buying and selling antiques, fine art, and collectibles. My 220 page book, 31 Steps to Your Millions in Antiques & Collectibles is FREE with your membership. The book is also available on Amazon.com. If you buy the book on Amazon, then the membership is FREE.

Visit our Website, here.>