Copyright 2006 Monique Hawkins

Many people love to collect all kinds of interesting things. This is a passions enjoyed by many from all over the world. As a matter of fact, these days this hobby has grown to become a valuable enterprise. One collectible item people enjoy is collectible figurines. Figurines have a way of reflecting of who we are and what we love. Not only do collectible figurines increase in monetary value through time, but also they have an intrinsic value that is priceless.

So, how does one start a unique figurine collection? Well, it's really very easy, inexpensive, and does not have to take a lot of time. All you necessarily need is a lot of passion. Your passion will drive what type of figurine collection you will start.

Some animal lovers show their love by collecting animal figurines; others show off their heritage by collecting Russian dolls, Indian dolls, or heritage figurines. Those who love the ocean and lighthouses might capture the scenic beauty of the New England coast by collecting lighthouse models and figurines. As you let your imagination run wild, you can see that the possibilities of collecting collectible figurines are endless!

There are some things you might want to consider when buying a collectible figurine. For example, you might look into is who is the artist or the manufacturer. Some well -known artists are, Llardo, Hummel, Disney, Precious Moments, Royal Dalton, and Norman Rockwell figurines.

Be on the lookout for fake and copycats. Copycat items come from manufacturers that claim they offer true figurines produced by famous artists, but in fact, are offering only replicas of the originals. Always make sure you find a signature label or be sure the company offers a letter of authenticity.

You might have in mind to collect a figurine that is made from a particular type of material. The most common materials that are used when making a figurine is as follows:

Crystal - a crystal figurine is made of a high quality of glass, produced with lead oxide that creates light reflections. Remember that thought quite beautiful, crystal piece are very delicate and need to be handled with special care.

Spun Glass - A spun-glass figurine has the same colorful reflections and charm as crystal but is a little less expensive for those whose budgets might not be able to afford crystal. They are unique and add value to any figurine collection.

Pewter - pewter figurines are made of treasured alloy favored by the world's for most artists. It is ranked as the forth most precious metal in the world, following platinum, silver, and gold. Your figurine collection will be priceless having such a piece as this.

Porcelain - all porcelain figurines found are crafted with an incredible attention to detail and hand-painted delicately to achieve a truly life-like appearance. If you are looking for a figurine with lots of delicate details, this is the one for you.

Figurines are made from all kinds of materials, but the ones listed above are the worlds most popular and treasured ones. You will find that you likely will fall in love with all of them or maybe just a few of them.

One of the most important factors to consider when starting a figurine collection is price. The type of figurine you get for your collection will be based on your budget. Your budget will dictate whether you choose to invest in rare or vintage figurines as a serious collector would, or just collect a few inexpensive ones. Just collect what you love based on your budget!

Collecting figurines is a hobby enjoyed by many a collector. Why not begin your special unique and timeless collection today?