8 Small Thrift Store Finds That Can Be Worth Far More Than You Paid

Sterling Silver Picture Frames

"The small palm-sized frames are the most desirable. I once found a group of small sterling silver picture frames that would be great in a dollhouse!" says Raia. Their ornate design and high silver content make them a small but valuable find at the thrift store that you shouldn't pass up. They're also versatile treasures—perfect for displaying photos of family members or collecting over the years.

Jewelry

Valuable jewelry at the thrift store can be a tough find, but if you have the time and know what to look for, you can score big on hidden treasures.

While sorting through the jewelry section, focus on the metals. For silver pieces, look for the word sterling or the number 925 marked on the jewelry, says Raia.

"Remember that sterling is easily malleable; this is sometimes how you can tell if you have a real piece of sterling, if you can’t locate a mark. Gently try to bend the item. If it bends easily, it’s more likely sterling than not," Raia says.

If the item is unmarked and rigid, walk away—it's not real sterling, Raia notes.

Brass Napkin Rings

Sterling silver or brass napkin rings are timeless pieces that can be worth a pretty penny. Napkin rings are a simple luxury but can make all the difference in your hosting experience and table display.

Search for sets of four, six, or eight while browsing the store. These small valuables also make great host gifts.

Glassware

Thrift stores are never short on glassware, and there are plenty of gems hiding among the rows of glasses on the shelves.

"Keep your eye out for mid-century glassware and barware, particularly. Pieces such as gold-accented Culver patterns, or Magic Folly Pin-Up Peek-a-boo glasses are highly collectible, especially if they are found in mint condition and in sets of 6-8 glasses," says Pearce.

Barware

Antique barware enhances the look and feel of your bar, making it a striking addition to your entertaining setup. These pieces are high quality, which can be hard to come by today due to the mass production of bar and kitchen items. If you're lucky enough to find them at a thrift store, grab them.

"Barware from the Memphis Group movement of the 1980s by designers such as Ettore Sottsass is also highly collectible, though harder to come across. These pieces can be spotted by their bold colors and geometric shapes," says Pearce.

Tea Kettles

High-quality kitchen items will always hold their value, and even with wear and tear, they can be cleaned up easily. While searching for high-value tea kettles at the thrift store, Pearce recommends looking for these brands: Ruffoni, Mackenzie-Childs, and Alessi (shown above).

"Always check en verso for the brand's marking on the underside, as all of these will be marked if authentic," Pearce says. "As a good rule of thumb, if you pick up a tea kettle and it feels very well made, and of solid copper, steel (or other metal), it's definitely worth whipping out your phone and looking up that marking."

Brass Candlesticks

You can never have enough brass candlesticks, especially for holiday tablescapes. Pieces made of solid brass hold their value and can be passed down through generations.

"Make sure to pick up pieces that are made of solid brass (they will feel heavy and will NOT be magnetic), and extra points for candlestick holders that have unique maker's marks, or seams (which signify they were handcast)," says Pearce.

Metal Trinket Boxes

Small trinket boxes made of metals such as sterling silver can often be found at thrift stores. Because the resale value of sterling silver is trending upward, even the smallest pieces can be worth a whole lot more than you'll pay for them, according to Raia.

Metal trinket boxes are perfect for storing special jewelry on your bedside table or dresser and can double as décor.