Specialists will be aware that anything rare and valuable that is worth collecting does not come cheaply and will be much sought after. Often functional as well as decorative, antique pottery and glassware is a highly desirable collector's item. They will also know where the best deals are to be found and will deal with only reputable traders to preserve their own reputations.

Unlike the professional antique dealer, most amateur collectors will be found at garage sales, estate auctions and flea markets. They will look for the most unusual or eye-catching piece and consider if it's worth the asking price. They will be thinking about adding to an existing collection and how good the item looks.

It is important to be aware of what it is you are looking for before spending large amounts of money on something. The smart amateur will have done some research to know what markings to be aware of as these will tell where the item came from or who made it. They will know what kind of weight to expect and also be aware of the large number of counterfeit items are out there.

Flooding the market with a particular item would decrease its collectible value quite significantly as a collectible is valued by its scarcity. It's a safe assumption that anyone who assembles any kind of collection harbors the secret fantasy of one day achieving fame and accolades for being the person who found a rare and wonderful work of art hidden in the dusty corner of a junk shop in the middle of nowhere.

Collecting glassware is a passion for some people. They eagerly hunt for the next piece of milk glass to add to their growing collection, or Carnival glass with its iridescent sheen. Setting their beautiful objects on display, making space to add another item becomes all-consuming.

Glass cookware like Pyrex is also highly sought after. The revival of interest is due to the demand for all things from the past, or vintage goods. Originally designed with form and function in mind, the lovely pastel shades of glassware now grace many a modern kitchen. Their functionality is still evident as many people use the dishes daily.

Pottery, not to be confused with ceramic, can often by identified by the type of clay that is used. As pottery clay is porous, it would be glazed to make it waterproof for use. One of the better recognized pottery would be Chinese, as the patterns are unmistakable and well-known, but the chance of finding something that special at a boot sale is unlikely. The market is frequently flooded with counterfeit goods so any collector would have to do a lot of research to know what to look for.

A valuable piece of advice would be to buy what you love, not because you think it would be a good investment piece. That way you can never be disappointed with your special item as it will always hold a special place in your home.