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We would like to inform you that we perform purchases and valuations of goods, but only on the basis of prior arrangement.

At the same time, we would like to point out that it is not possible to value goods based on photographs. Thank you for your understanding.

Do you also have treasures at home?

Posted on: 02/09/2022
 

Author: Magdalena Kořínková

You might also have hidden treasures at home, in your cottage, or perhaps at your grandparents’ place, just waiting to be brought down from the attic, dusted off, and appraised. If you’re unsure what to do with them, we have good news: the popular TV show *Treasure from the Attic* (Poklad z Půdy in Czech) is returning to your screens with new episodes to help you discover whether your item has historical, artistic, and of course, financial value.


 

The show *Treasure from the Attic* has won over an enthusiastic audience. In a fun way, it educates the general public not only about history, periods, and styles but also how to handle these items. Many of us hope to find a valuable treasure in our attic. If you want to be sure about the value of your item, you have several options. If you’re not shy about appearing on camera, you can apply directly to *Treasure from the Attic*, where experts, including Martin Cinolter, will evaluate your item. If you'd rather stay off the screen, you can visit an auction house, the ANTIQUES fair, or contact an experienced antique dealer directly.
 

Experts on Maiselova Street in Prague

Martin Cinolter wasn’t randomly selected by the producers of *Treasure from the Attic* to be one of the experts. He has been working in the field of antiques since 1991. Initially, his main interest was in antique watches and clocks, but over time he specialised in antique jewellery and gemstones. He studied with a leading German gemology expert, and this formal education combined with daily practice has proven crucial in maintaining a long-standing reputation in this beautiful but challenging field.
Antiques Cinolter, Martin Cinolter’s shop, has been located at the same address in the centre of Prague for three decades. During this time, a vast array of stunning jewellery and other items of applied arts, especially glass, porcelain, and silverware, have passed through the shop, intended both for practical use and decoration.




antique jewellery
 

Photographs Are Never Enough

Just like on the show, even off-camera it’s crucial for an expert to inspect the item in person. For porcelain and glass, signs of use and any manufacturer markings are evaluated. A thorough examination is also necessary for other items of applied and fine art.

Jewellery cannot be accurately appraised without weighing, hallmark inspection, a detailed stone examination, and an assessment of the materials and condition. It's impossible to determine from a photograph what type of gemstone it is, let alone whether it's natural, synthetic, or an imitation. Nor can the metal be identified from a photograph. In the past, even base metals were marked with various stamps, so just because a metal is marked doesn’t mean it’s precious.

 

When a Stone Isn’t a Real Stone: Verneuil’s Synthesis Discovered in the Late 19th Century

That descriptions, photos, or videos really aren’t enough to assess the value of jewellery, we can illustrate with an example (something we often encounter at Antiques Cinolter), where a family believes a description of a piece of jewellery passed down through generations, but it turns out to be different from what they thought. The most common mix-up is between natural and synthetic stones, or even glass. With rings from the First Republic era, it’s often mistakenly assumed they’re adorned with natural aquamarines, but they’re actually synthetic blue spinels. This changes the value significantly, as the prices of natural stones today are much higher than synthetic ones.

Even greater disappointment can occur when an expert reveals that the stone isn't a stone at all – neither natural nor synthetic – but just ordinary glass. Unfortunately, these situations aren’t rare. In the past, our ancestors often faced significant financial losses, so they had to find ways to cope while maintaining appearances. A common solution was to remove the precious stone and sell it. The jewellery was then “adorned” with glass. It still looked beautiful and valuable, and the glass "stone" wasn’t distinguishable from the real one at first glance. But the value of the jewellery was minimal. Since this was often kept quiet, glass-embellished jewellery was passed down through generations as a highly valuable antique.



emerald jewellery with diamonds

 
 

The Experienced Eye of an Expert and Modern Technology

An expert can easily distinguish between a stone and glass, but the difference between synthetic and natural stones isn’t as easily recognisable, though it is possible. However, there is now a device that can identify a natural diamond from a synthetic one in just a few seconds. There are only a few of these devices in the world, and you can count them number of them in the Czech republic on the fingers of one hand. That’s why we at Antiques Cinolter are very proud to be among the owners of one of these machines, which we’ll be introducing to you in detail soon.

 

When a Treasure Isn’t a Treasure

An expert’s opinion can often influence whether you decide to keep or sell an item. Sometimes items from estates hold more sentimental value, while other times customers are pleasantly surprised to find their inherited treasures are worth more than expected.
So whether you simply wish to know the value of your antique or have decided to sell it, you can trust us to help. After contacting us, our experts will give you a thorough assessment of your antique's history, material value, and uniqueness. Your hidden treasure might be worth more than you think.