How do I spot gilding wear and rim damage on Wedgwood fine china?

Start with the rim, handle, and any raised edges. Gilding wear shows as faded gold, patchy shine, or a dull grey look where fingers touched most. Tilt the piece under a strong light and rotate it, as worn areas pop out as a change in reflection. Then run a fingertip lightly around the rim to find tiny nicks that photos miss. On plates, look at the centre for light scratch rings from stacked cutlery. For bone china cups, check the foot rim, as small chips often hide there. If you buy online, look for photos taken at a low angle across the rim, plus a close-up of any gold line. For display value, sharp rims and intact gold often matter more than pattern popularity.