At Blue Cherry Antiques we believe that informed collectors make the best purchases. Our Learning Center brings together guides, reference material and identification resources built from years of hands-on experience with antique and vintage pieces. Whether you are new to collecting or a seasoned enthusiast, we hope you find something useful here.
An overview of gemstones and vintage jewellery - a starting point for collectors covering identification, quality and what to look for when buying.
A comprehensive alphabetical reference covering a wide range of natural gemstones - their properties, colours, origins and what to look for.
Everything you need to know about natural diamonds - the Four C's, grading, enhancements, simulants and how to avoid expensive mistakes.
A guide to natural sapphires - colours, origins, quality grading, treatments and what to look for when purchasing sapphire jewellery.
A guide to natural rubies - understanding colour, origin, heat treatment and how to identify a quality stone in antique and vintage jewellery.
A guide to natural emeralds - their characteristic inclusions, origins, enhancements and what distinguishes a fine stone from a lesser one.
A reference guide to Japanese Satsuma ware - identifying genuine pieces, understanding marks and distinguishing quality originals from later export production.
How to identify Japanese Kutani ware, understand its distinctive palette and read the marks found on pieces from different periods of production.
A guide to Japanese Imari ware - its characteristic blue, red and gilt palette, marks and how to distinguish Japanese from Chinese Imari.
An introduction to Japanese Banko ware - its distinctive unglazed body, teapot forms, marks and how to identify genuine pieces.
A reference guide to Japanese antimony ware - understanding this distinctive metallic material, its typical forms and how to identify it.
A guide to Japanese Sumida ware - its characteristic thick glazes, applied figure decoration and how to identify and date pieces.
A reference guide to Chinese Canton celadon and Famille Rose porcelain - understanding marks, periods of production and quality indicators.
An essential guide to identifying Chinese reproduction ceramics - the marks, glazes and telltale signs that distinguish reproductions from genuine antiques.
A reference guide to Royal Worcester marks across different periods - how to date pieces, identify decorators and understand the factory's production history.
A comprehensive guide to Moorcroft pottery marks and backstamps - helping collectors identify, date and authenticate pieces from all periods of production.