While it can be fun to shop for jewelry, things can get stressful when you are in the market for an expensive item of jewelry. Jewelry is created from a variety of different materials and there is a vast cost difference between each type. Someone who is not educated on jewelry may end up paying more than they should. These tips can help you be more knowledgeable about all aspects of purchasing jewelry.
Use a polishing cloth for all of your jewelry pieces. A polishing cloth is a very gentle way to get a good shine on all your pieces. Polish your jewelry with a two-sided polishing cloth as you might buff a lovely glass. First, use the polishing side to polish it up, then use the other side to shine it.
Avoid harsh chemicals like bleach, ammonia and acetone that may permanently damage your jewelry. Doing so can destroy enamel finishes, while clouding stones and crystals.
Keep your jewelry in a relatively air-tight container, and minimize its exposure to humidity. A drawstring bag or closed box offers the best protection from moisture in the air. Air and humidity will make the metals in jewelry tarnish. You will be able to polish precious metals to remove tarnish, but non-precious metals may lose their coating, showing the copper metal beneath.
Some precious metals and gems need to be kept away from moisture and humidity. To maximize protection, put your jewelry in a jewelry box or a small drawstring bag. Continued exposure to humidity extremes or air causes metals typically used in jewelry to tarnish. Precious metals, through some work and polish, can be restored to their original condition. Non-precious metals are coated, which means that polishing will allow copper metal to come through.
Arm yourself with a magnet and a magnifying glass when shopping for sterling silver jewelry. You can detect fake sterling silver with the magnet, since non-precious metals are drawn to magnets. You can identify sterling silver by its markings, for example “sterling,” “ster,” or “.925.” If there is no hallmark, the piece is probably not authentic and may, indeed, be counterfeit.
When you purchase jewelry, you are investing in an item that will last a lifetime. Choose reputable jewelry dealers when considering your next jewelry purchase. High-quality jewelry is durable and displays excellent craftsmanship. The jeweler that you purchase the item from should give you the history of the piece, as far as who made it, and, if there are stones on the item, where they came from. Put effort into your choice, so you can be sure that the piece will last generations.
Check to see if your jeweler offers an insurance policy before purchasing an item. Insurance policies allow you to bring a defective or broken piece into the jewelry store for repair. Many jewelers also have insurance for lost or stolen pieces.
Always shop around when buying a diamond. Take a very close look at the piece you like, and then make the comparison to any others on your favorites list. There are deceptive tricks that can be used to enhance a diamond, so you need to be on the lookout.
Preventing tarnish will keep your jewelry look its best. If possible, remove your jewelry if you are around water. Many types of metal will become dulled, tarnished, or rusty when exposed to it. For added protection for your jewelry, try adding a thin coating of clear nail polish.
Keep your jewelry free of tarnish to make it look its best. Try not to wear jewelry when you are around water. Some metals will tarnish, dull or rust when exposed to water or perspiration. A single coat of transparent nail polish may help protect certain types of metal.
You need to learn the best ways to take care of your jewelry. Various settings, types of metals, and gemstones need different types of care to protect them and make sure they get cleaned properly. A treatment that polishes one stone may scratch another stone. If you’re not sure of how to properly care for your jewelry, seek advice from a reputable jeweler.
Give the jewelry a test-run by wearing it for a day. Does it feel comfortable and hang properly? You will be able to tell if it will hold up to wear and tear.
Putting on jewelry only after you have put on makeup and fixed your hair will keep it from being exposed to chemicals that could tarnish it. All the grime and dust from your makeup attracts jewelry. Therefore, putting on jewelry beforehand can make the piece look dingy. Especially keep this tip in mind for necklaces or earrings.
A brooch can add visual interest and an accent to an otherwise dull belt. You can pin it centered at your waist or closer to your hip.
When you are looking for new jewelry, the first thing to do is to check what is on sale. You can save big money with the right sale. Scope out the sales in every store you can find. Buying styles that are waning in popularity is often an excellent way to save money on original jewelry.
Before you purchase a new piece of fine jewelry, think about how you will wear it. There is no point in filling your jewelery box with things you cannot wear. Consider specific outfits and styles when making your selections.
Untangle your knotted messes of delicate chains and necklaces. Sometimes you give up on untangling a mess but you can get yourself some plastic wrap before you do give up. Put the necklace on the plastic wrap and add a little mineral oil or baby oil. You would then untangle the necklace using needles. Then wash off the baby oil or mineral oil with dish soap, and then pat dry.
If you are selling jewelry on the Internet, you should present these pieces as attractively as possible. This is very important since customers cannot handle the jewelry in an online transaction. It is essential that the jewelry be placed on a background that does not draw the attention away from the piece.
Before you purchase a new piece of jewelry, consider what situations you will be wearing it in. You should not have a lot of jewelery that you are never going to put on. Think of the outfits that you own, and use those to help you choose your jewelry.
The cut, color and clarity of a diamond can make a bigger impression than size alone. It is important to consider the character of the individual you are purchasing the diamond for.
Always remove your jewelry before swimming. Your jewelry’s luster and life can be damaged from the chlorine that is present in the pool water. Saltwater is equally damaging to your precious jewels. It is advisable to remove all jewelry prior to participating in any water sports to protect and extend the life of your jewelry.
Any type of necklace or bracelet should have a strong clasp. Unless your necklace or bracelet has a durable closure, you risk losing expensive or sentimental pendants, stones and charms. You can get a safety clasp to keep costly necklaces and bracelets from falling off and becoming lost. With the most expensive items of jewelry, some people will use two or three clasps for extra security.
Use attractive robe hooks to hang your necklaces, keeping them tangle-free. Attach the hooks in accessible areas of your bedroom or closet, and drape necklaces across them in compatible groups. This will avoid ever having to untangle balls of necklaces in your jewelry box again. Also, the necklaces will look nice hanging up.
Use attractive robe hooks to hang your necklaces, keeping them tangle-free. Install a series of these hooks on a closet door or wall to hang necklaces. You can organize the pieces by style, length or color. This will keep the necklaces from turning into a balled mess in a jewelry box. The hooks are attractive as well.
Long chains can be shortened and the excess metal can be sold for a profit. Merely cut a few extra inches off the piece, and sell the excess; you can still own and wear the rest. By pruning your gold pieces, you may be able to bring in a tidy sum.
Onyx and crystal can be wonderful jewelry options. You don’t need to completely empty your wallet on a new jewelry piece to be pleased with the results.
If you are a jewelery artist that is looking for a way to display your art at the craft fair, this is where you need to look! While you are on the lookout for jewelry-making items, also keep an eye out for things from which you can make creative displays. A wide variety of everyday items can be used to display your jewelry creatively.
Over-sized, ornate pieces should only be worn with clean, simple outfits. Instead, wear the classic “little black dress” or other solid background to highlight your interesting jewelry item.
Many people wear gold and silver jewelry pieces together. To do this correctly, you need a piece that combines them both. If not, this could look outdated or mismatched.
Rubies are extremely popular for good reasons. Rubies come in different shades of red, though the most prized rubies are of the brightest reds. They can range from pinkish hues to the darkest, blood red colors. Rubies are very resilient and can hold up to a lot of impact and even be okay if they are in chemicals. Their ability to last many years make them a wonderful choice for jewelry.
Gently cleaning with a soft damp cloth is the best way to avoid disturbing the setting. Next, use a soft cloth to dry the entire piece. Don’t ever use steam cleaners or any kind of harsh chemicals on costume or fashion jewelry.
A beautiful, but quite often overlooked gemstone, is Alexandrite. The stone’s color can change from shades of green to purple, depending on the light. Alexandrite is mostly found in rings, earrings, and pendants.
Consider your price range before you go engagement ring shopping. Shopping for a diamond is an emotionally charged experience. It is easy to enjoy the moment and forget how far the budget actually reaches.
It has become quite trendy to wear jewelry items of both silver and yellow gold at the same time. To achieve this look, you must own a piece that has each of these metals. If not, it seems unstylish or mismatched.
At this moment of time you may not be able to afford the exact wedding band you have always dreamed of. However, that does not mean that you can’t buy something that suits the budget now and replace it in later years. You will be able to get the ideal ring on a special occasion in the future, such as an anniversary. Ask if your jeweler offers an incentive for future purchases, such as the ability to trade in your original ring for an upgraded one.
Always stay within your budget when purchasing jewelry. Going into great amounts of debt so you can have a fabulous ring on your finger is a poor financial decision. Usually younger couples would like to start out with a less expensive ring at first. They will be able to upgrade to a better ring after they have financially established themselves.
Buying pre-owned jewelry will often save you money. Used jewelry is often in great condition and costs far less than a new piece, which means that a person will get more bang for his buck.
Whether you’re shopping for a ring, watch, necklace or other piece, you should now be better equipped to make wise purchasing decisions. You’ll be able to save both time and money when you follow the advice you’ve learned here.
As you choose jewelry to enhance your ensemble, think about the affect you wish to create. Think about whether you’re trying to put your jewelry at the forefront of your look, or if your pieces should act as accessories that complement what you’re wearing.