8 Overlooked Thrift Store Items That Are Worth More Than You Think, According to Experts

Clear Crystal Glassware

If you browse through the kitchen and dining aisles at the thrift store, you've probably noticed the abundance of miscellaneous clear glassware. Spotting high-value pieces can take time, but the effort often pays off. "I've found full sets of vintage Waterford and Baccarat crystal hiding amongst the everyday plain glass vessels," Jochim-Smoot says. "Two-tone colored Victorian-style cut glass coupes can also fetch a whopping $80 to $150 a glass."

To spot high-value glassware, look for crisp cuts, an absence of seam lines, and substantial weight. According to Jochim-Smoot, crystal items will "ring" differently when tapped, creating a lingering sound. "If a crystal glass is chipped, it won't have the same reverberation quality," she says. "Pressed glass and non-crystal items will not generally ring with reverberation when tapped."

Original Artwork

Original artwork has far more character than mass-produced pieces you can find online or at big-name home décor stores. "People often focus too much on the artist who created the work when they should really be asking whether the work speaks to them," Pearce says. "Original sketches, paintings, or prints can sometimes be found at the thrift store for just a few dollars, which can be a real steal regardless of the artist.

When looking for artwork at the thrift store, don't focus too much on the frame—it can often be repaired or replaced. On the other hand, finding a piece of artwork with good professional framing can add significant value to the art, Pearce adds.

Jewelry and Accessories

If you know what to look for, finding valuable jewelry and accessories becomes much easier. Sorting through piles of jewelry can feel daunting because many pieces look similar. However, checking for the right markings and stamps can lead to valuable finds.

Look for "925" and "10+K" gold stamp markings on chain clasps to identify the finer quality pieces, Jochim-Smoot says. "To identify bakelight, you can create friction on the surface with your finger to see if it lets off a chemical smell," she adds. Even costume jewelry made by a designer is sought after; you just have to give yourself enough time to look.

Vintage T-Shirts

Vintage concert and cartoon T-shirts can sell for hundreds—or even thousands—of dollars on eBay, Jochim-Smoot says. While shopping, keep an eye out for Y2K vintage shirts, in particular.

Many of the trending vintage tees have been recreated to look old, but you can identify the real vintage pieces by a marked year and copyright symbol located on the internal side seam or neck tag, Jochim-Smoot says. Real vintage T-shirts are made of 100 percent cotton and typically feel thicker than most T-shirts manufactured today.

Picture Frames

Designer and silver-plated picture frames often hide in plain sight at thrift stores. Picture frames made today are often not made well and quickly add up in cost. For designer and silver-plated frames, look for the maker's mark or material stamp on the back when distinguishing them from other metal frames.

"I often look for solid wood frames with inlay or notched corner connection detailing," Jochim-Smoot says. "Both are good signs of quality and unique craftsmanship."

Knives and Cutting Boards

High-quality kitchen knives that are in good condition are a real steal. People will often discard parts of the knife set they no longer need, and the same goes for solid wood artisan cutting boards.

"If you find high-end knives, the manufacturers often provide sharpening services that can eliminate any blade chips and sharpen them back to new," Jochim-Smoot says. "Cutting boards that are over an inch thick and have no separation or massive cracking can often be salvaged with a hearty sanding and thick coats of food-grade mineral oil."

High-quality knives can range from $85 to $400 per piece, while thick 1.5-inch artisan cutting boards can go for $75 to $200 each, she adds.

Solid Wood Furniture

Old furniture often features solid wood construction and quality joinery, while many newer pieces rely on veneers or particleboard, Pearce says.

"If the piece has a bad paint or stain job, it can be hard to look past, but that poor finish is likely what is driving down the price, making it a steal," she says. Paint can be stripped or sanded down and stained so the natural wood of these pieces can really shine.

If you spot a good piece of furniture while shopping, Pearce recommends giving it a quick inspection before taking it home. Open the drawers and inspect the construction. Characteristics such as dovetail joints, solid wood drawer boxes, and substantial weight usually indicate that it's a quality piece of furniture.

However, beware of certain smells, such as cigarette smoke, which are nearly impossible to eradicate from wood pieces, Pearce warns.

Vintage Mirrors

Quality mirrors can be surprisingly expensive, especially those with intricate details, beveled glass, metal accents, or quinque shapes. According to Pearce, vintage mirrors have far more character and boast superior craftsmanship than modern manufactured ones.

"Mirrors bounce light around a room, make spaces feel larger, and can serve as artwork in their own right," Pearce says. "I use them over mantels, in entryways, powder rooms, and layered into gallery walls." And if you don't like the frame color of a mirror you find, that can often be changed.