The good news is, as you learn more and more, you'll be more experienced at finding really cool things at thrift stores. I wish I had more time to comb thrift stores...because there are truly some remarkable finds there. Children often don't know what is valuable and what is costume when donating a deceased parent's items after they depart. Parents need to be BETTER about keeping some sort of history, at least on their more valuable items. I've had to go through 2 estates (mom-in-law and mother's) jewelry and it is a time-consuming process to make sure I wasn't donating something that was, in fact, of value beyond an item's sentimental value.
Have fun searching!