Terra cotta is a type of earthenware (as opposed to porcelain and stoneware) that is common but looks distinctly different from most other earthenware.   Terra cotta is usually a distinct orangish, but sometimes is brown/gray.  As with all earentheware it is not water tight and must be glazed to hold water.  Only unglazed stoneware … Continue reading Terra Cotta

Purchase a copy of Identifying Common Materials in Antiques: A Pocket Guide * * * * * It goes without saying that diamonds are expensive and always in high demand.  There are numerous kinds of fake or faux diamonds, including glass, plastic, simulant and synthetic stones.  While expert diamond and gemstone requires scientific tests and … Continue reading Judging if a Diamond is Real or Fake: A Few Quick Tips

Goldstone is glass with metal shavings inside.  It can be molded into many shapes, and is sometimes mistaken for a stone or gem.   

Purchase a copy of Identifying Common Materials in Antiques * * * * * Glass is labeled and catalogued in different ways, including by its formula or chemical recipe, how the final shape is formed, its style and genre. The following are standard types of glass, defined by the formula, method and genre. Pressed glass. … Continue reading A Look at Different Types of Antique Glass