The Valuable Vintage Accessory To Hunt For At The Thrift Store

Making a house your own involves seeking out authentic, meaningful décor that speaks to you. Vintage pieces are timeless and unique — they add depth and personality to any room or vignette. From quirky vintage décor items that you should always look for at the thrift to elegant heirloom finds at antique stores, shopping secondhand is the path to getting one-of-a-kind items. There is no shortage of incredible treasures to discover at these stores. You might even stumble across a rare collectible that really elevates your interior design. Vintage lighters, for example, are a coveted find. In fact, these old household items might be more valuable than you think!

There are limited edition designer brand lighters, lighters inlaid with precious materials, and even lighters with eccentric shapes, from martini glasses to pieces of fruit. Lighters have been around since the early 1800s, though they were a little unsafe. They become more attractive (and less dangerous) in the 1920s, when Art Deco styling was in vogue. Zippo revolutionized the portable flame when they burst onto the scene in the early 1930s. At first, the company's lighters were strictly produced for soldiers fighting in World War II. By the time the war was over, they had secured their reputation as a coveted, reliable product. Zippos and a number of other, similar lighter brands, such as Dunhill, S.T. Dupont, Thorens, and Colibri, were the template for modern-day lighters.

Vintage lighters are not just aesthetically pleasing — they're also built to last. They're composed of sturdy materials like steel and brass, so you can count on them to stand the test of time. Over the years, the exteriors often age beautifully. You can also restore vintage lighters that are no longer working. If you do a good job, the tool should function just as it did when new. That means lighters that look worse for wear are definitely not off the table; don't skip past a broken lighter if you see it on the store shelf.

If you want to actually use the lighters you thrift and not just display them as décor, Zippo and Thorens are reliable brands to look for. If you're more interested in aesthetic appeal, Dunhill or, once again, Thorens lighters are valuable vintage trinkets you should always look for at thrift stores, estate sales, flea markets, and antique shops. If you don't have any luck finding a lighter you love locally and in-person, extend your search to online marketplaces. There are sites dedicated to sourcing and selling top-tier vintage lighters. Less specialized sites, like Etsy and eBay, offer plenty of vintage lighters, too. Just be sure to check the listing or ask the seller for proof of authenticity for expensive pieces — maker's marks, serial numbers, and logos are all good signs.

After you buy a vintage lighter, spend some time assessing its condition. If you purchased the tool online from a reliable seller, it may be in perfect shape. However, if you found the lighter at a thrift store or flea market, it likely needs some TLC. First, look for a brand if you haven't already, and look it up online. Can you find the matching model? If you need parts, this will be helpful knowledge. Next, carefully take the lighter apart. Soak the snuffer, gears, wheel, and clutch in alcohol. Thoroughly clean the inside with a small brush, a Q-tip, and some rubbing alcohol. You may need to replace an aged flint or wick. Put everything back together, then fill the fuel chamber with naphtha lighter fluid. If damage is extensive, the lighter may need to be serviced by a professional.

Once your vintage lighter is in good shape once again, you are free to use it in your interior decorating. After you went through all the trouble of tracking down and possibly restoring your treasure, it should have a place of honor in your home. Got a 1960s find? Display it on a coffee table with an incense burner and music memorabilia from the era. This is particularly practical because you can use the lighter to light the incense. A vintage lighter could take the place of matches in a candle mantle vignette. If the lighter is a rare find but doesn't work, showcase it in a shadow box or dedicated display cabinet with other vintage objects. Regardless of how you style it, when you take ownership of a vintage lighter, you're preserving a piece of history.