Discover more details about using a UV black light as used on Treasure Detectives on CNBC. Tips you should know as a collector

1. Last night’s episode of Treasure Detectives on CNBC dealt with the
authentication of a Stradivarius violin and one of the “tests” or methods of
examination utilized the UV black light.
The UV light is a standard method of inspection (or should be!) among vintage
painting collectors and art conservators to help see invisible clues in the surface
varnish layers. But it’s a technique that can be utilized by all collectors of
memorabilia, collectibles, heirlooms and antiques. Here are a couple of the things
that can be seen/learned with a UV light:
 Some qualities of varnish can be generally identified
 Sometimes the general age of the varnish can be determined
 Previous “Monkeying around” with the varnish …
Other important invisible clues you can discover are listed in the longer article at
Tips For Art Collectors.
It’s interesting though that most painting collectors mistakenly consider the UV
black light a simple method to understand or read. But, there is MUCH more to see
than just some purple spots that may be retouching. There was an important point
shown on the TV show that perhaps wasn’t noticed…
The quality of the UV black light they used in the show wasn’t very good. Here is
what I hope is a good review of the use of a UV black light for looking at antique
paintings. (Click on the link/colored words) However, a UV light is VERY useful for
looking at and inspecting all antiques and collectibles…. I hear they are also useful
for seeing scorpions in the dark.
Thumbs up to Treasure Detectives for making a technical show entertaining. I’m a
fan and stay tuned… I’m also in an upcoming episode!
Was the violin considered authentic? More details are listed in the longer article at
Tips For Art Collectors

2. Questions? Call Scott M. Haskins, art conservator at 805 564 34387
Art appraisal questions? Call Richard Holgate at 805 895 5121
See short videos by Scott M. Haskins on art conservation related subjects at
YouTube channel “Bestartdoc”
http://www.youtube.com/user/bestartdoc?feature=mhee
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For a news article featuring Scott M. Haskins’s, Click here:
http://www.fineartconservationlab.com/media-room/art-restorerconservator-
scott-m-haskins-featured-in-life-section-of-newspaper/