How To Authenticate Your Latest Thrifting Find

Thrifting is a booming business. In addition to being more sustainable than buying new, it's a way to score more unique finds with history and character — and some of those finds can be quite valuable. But unless you happen to be an expert in antique furniture and decor, you might not be able to differentiate a truly valuable item at a thrift store from a knockoff. That's where authentication comes in. Doing your research is a start, but you may have to go to an appraiser for an accurate answer about your latest thrifting find.

"Knowing that an object is authentic is important to make sure you're paying the object's true value," explains Sarah Bilotta, House Digest's design historian, in an exclusive interview with House Digest. "A lot of times, thrift shops will quickly price an item based on what it looks like, and this price may not reflect what the piece is actually worth."

According to Bilotta, just being antique isn't enough to make an item valuable either; it depends on how in-demand that particular item and period is. "An authentic chair from the Georgian period may be very old and very beautiful, but as of late, the value of such pieces has actually gone down," Bilotta says. If you've ever gone thrifting and brought back a mysterious but exciting find, here's how to tell if your antiques are worth anything.

One place to start is by examining and researching the materials used in the object, which will offer insight into its origins. "For example: you've found a beautiful wingback chair," Bilotta exclusively tells House Digest. "Now, it's time to find out if it's made of soft or hard wood, whether it's ever been reupholstered, and if the joinings and construction of the chair are indicative of Victorian craftsmanship or 1970s Victorian Revival mass production."

Answering all those questions may require quite a bit of research, but there are many resources available, from collectors' communities to auction sites. Even a quick Google search can lay the groundwork: Bilotta suggests taking a photo of the item and uploading it to the search engine. Google will pull up similar images, helping you nail down more info about the item. She suggests trying to "trace the period, materials, and if possible, the maker."

You can also use Google to identify a stamp or maker's mark on a thrifting find. The expert explains that these are common on jewelry and metalwork and may also appear on furniture or fine art. However, this is not a surefire way to authenticate an antique item. "Stamps and signatures are sometimes forged, especially with luxury and popular design names," she says, adding, "Also, a lot of antiques were not marked by a maker or company."

If your own research leaves you with doubts about the authenticity of a thrifting find, don't hesitate to contact an appraiser or specialist for a clearer idea. "People with a lot of experience looking at objects have the best chance of accurately authenticating or dating an object because they are used to seeing authentic pieces and know the hallmark characteristics to look for," Bilotta tells House Digest exclusively.

If you're imagining "Antiques Roadshow," don't worry — finding an appraiser isn't as difficult as it sounds. And while some professional antique appraisals cost money, you don't have to invest in a paid appraisal unless you think the item might truly be worth it. "Often, antique shop owners are happy to look at photos of an object," Bilotta says. "Some even offer free appraisal if you bring the object into their shop."

By learning more about what types of characteristics to look for in authentic thrift finds, you can also have a better sense of valuable items you should never overlook at estate sales or thrift stores in the future. And if a favorite find doesn't turn out to be authentic or super valuable, that doesn't mean you can't hang onto it. As Bilotta puts it, "Of course, there is one other rule to keep in mind: if you love it, buy it!"