I grew up, me and my sister, going to garage sales, the flea markets with our mother Vega. She instilled in us the love of the search. Each day we went out to flea market we would come home have a great Swedish breakfast then look up our finds in the antique guides my mom had. I'd like to share some general visual tips i learned and want to share with you. Age marks, everything in "time" shows wear with few exceptions. Glass develops scratches that can be few scratches to a well worn bottom. bottles, dishes etc Compostion and mold marks in glass. really old blown glass and bottles may have bubbles inside the glass. Mold marks are lines in glass 3 or 4 parts... Made in Japan, Japan, Occupied Japan are just few marks you can see from a article imported to the usa. depending upon age item. or take Made in Germany, Germany, Bavaria. Theres a pattern there long ago makers stamped thier items with city or province til usa developed import laws. around 1912 to 1918 countrys that were exporting with just name thier country, i.e. germany, had to add the "made in" Its rough but quick guide to visual inspection With these rules you should consider some items had a paper label, and might have worn off! Cameos, and other fine hand made things have varying degrees fineness. learn to see the delicateness of objects. the three prong value test: sterling, comb, art nouvous style. here you have a comb (usable object), a valuable matarial (sterling), and its in a popular style ( art nouvous). a dog made of limoges porcelain thats also a mantelpiece item. a gold ring that has masonic emblem. a item that appeals to more than one level of collectibility should have more value than just one level. Sterling vs plate objects, sometimes you cant find a mark! is it light and delicately embossed or the design pushed out from the inside? your item might be sterling. Silver jewelry should never be polished as many enjoy the patina developed over years of use. Best way to develop a visual awareness is to spend alot time looking touching feeling things in auctions, flea markets, thrift stores. you want to learn so dont be afraid to look, ask questions etc!! eventually your mind will develop path ways to develop a internal instinct. I have saved myself many time by being able to walk into any shop and make money find things. The other day i found a Coach fanny pack and Sterling candy dish, each $3 each, sold both for $60 on ebay very quickly using some principles i stated here. One more rule. Buy at any price what you love if you can afford it. Buy cheap what you dont love but what others love based upon viual guides Email questions always welcome.