You can never be too well-researched when it comes to purchasing jewelry. A simple, honest mistake can cost you a lot of money. Here are a few sensible guidelines on the subject. These helpful tips can assist you in picking out the right jewelery and you can avoid some road blocks.
Do not use harsh chemicals such as ammonia, bleach, turpentine or acetone to clean them. This can dull your stones and eat away their enamel.
Take a moment to consider how your valuable jewelry is stored and sorted. Consider delegating each piece to its own resting place, utilizing compartmental boxes and storage units. Resist the urge to jumble all your pieces together in one box or basket. This does damage to jewelry pieces, which are often fragile. Necklaces lumped together can get tangled up into a knotted ball.
Store your jewelry in a place that is not subjected to humidity extremes or open air. To ensure it is protected, keep your jewelry in a drawstring bag or a jewelry box that is closed. Certain metals will be tarnished when exposed to humidity or air. Precious metals can easily be polished, but non-precious metal needs a special polish.
Precious Metals
When you go shopping for sterling silver jewelry pieces, take with you a magnet and a monocle. Precious metals, like sterling silver, will not be attracted to the magnet. Sterling silver always has some sort of stamp to indicate it is sterling. Be wary of pieces that lack any silver hallmarks, as this is an indication that they’re not genuine sterling silver.
Be sure that you store all of your jewelry safely away from air and humidity. To ensure it is protected, keep your jewelry in a drawstring bag or a jewelry box that is closed. Being submitted to extreme humidity and temperature can cause your pieces to tarnish. Precious metals are able to be polished and retain their luster, but the non-precious metals have a coat, and polishing will cause the metal under it to show through.
Be sure to pay attention to details like type of metal and shape. This way, you know where you should start when buying a gift.
Wearing the jewelry yourself can help you decide if it will be appropriate for your intended recipient. Doing this also tells you how well it stands up to normal daily wear.
Before adding a piece of jewelry to your collection, research current trends. If you look around you may be able to find a great deal!
Consider the stones whenever you buy jewelry. Any stones that you choose should go with your skin tone and reflect your personality. Also think about what color clothing you wear often, and chose a neutral color that will match many of the outfits in your closet. Do not buy anything that you cannot wear.
Ask about insurance from your jeweler before purchasing a new piece. This is to avoid any future complications. If anything were to happen you have yourself covered and to avoid complications with that jeweler in the future, they can replace or fix it for you if you run into problems. You can even find insurance on jewelry pieces that were stolen or misplaced.
You should try to find out whether a gemstone was treated prior to purchasing it. If it was treated, you should discover the way it was treated. There are several different types of treatment, and each one needs it’s own type of care. You don’t want to clean them with a type of solution that could strip the treatment or damage the gem.
You could wear it for a day to make sure it is not uncomfortable. You will also have the knowledge that the piece is not going to fall apart the first time the receiver wears it.
Plastic Wrap
You should always make an effort to properly care for all of your jewelry. You should know that different materials require different maintenance. Something that may help one piece of jewelry might hurt another one. Your jeweler can give you instructions on proper handling if you are not sure.
Untangling knotted chains can be easy if you know how to do it. It is tempting to throw in the towel against knotted metal, but plastic wrap should be reached for instead. Apply baby oil or mineral oil to your necklace after placing it on the plastic wrap. If the jewelry is tangled and knotted, try using needles to unknot the strands. Wash it gently with a bit of dish soap and then pat it dry.
A brooch will add an interesting aspect to the belt. You can add it anywhere on the belt that you think looks good.
Both steam and dry saunas are included. The high temperatures and damp environment can corrode the surface of your jewelry and cause long-term damage to the piece.
Makeup isn’t for jewelry. Let your makeup dry before you put on a piece of jewelry. Jewelry can become dirty and dull if you put it on too early, this is because incomplete makeup routines will transfer grime to it. This is extra important when you are cleaning necklaces or earrings.
Jewelry sets can make a great present if you are looking for a creative gift for someone. You can often find great deals on jewelry sets. Split the set for a loved one for every upcoming holiday. This way, you can ensure that you don’t have to worry about getting a gift at the last minute, and you know that it will match what they already own.
If you are trying to sell jewelry online, it is important to post ample photographs from many angles so that each piece is presented in a pleasing and accurate way. This is quite key since your customer can not physically see and feel the jewelry when purchasing it online. Make sure you take a photo of the jewelery in a place that will focus on it and not the background.
Bracelets and necklaces must have a good, secure clasp. Clasps keep your pendants safe. You can purchase a safety clasp to secure expensive pieces of jewelry. You could even have more than one clasp installed on your most prized items.
Take the time to shop at several different stores, both online and offline, when considering a diamond jewelry purchase. Every diamond is unique in both its beauty and imperfections. Some flaws may not seem that critical to you when you see the diamond in person. Jewelers price diamonds differently, depending on their flaws. Look around and you’re sure to find the perfect diamond for you, at a price you can live with.
If you’re going swimming, make sure you take off your jewelery first. The chlorine in pool water is very harsh and may cause your fine jewelry to appear dull. In the same way, salt water can have the same effects to jewelry over time. Take off your jewelry before diving in the water to keep them looking their best.
Don’t swim while wearing your jewelry. The strength of chlorine means it can hurt the shine of your jewelry and decrease its life. The cumulative effects of salt water can affect jewelery just as badly. Taking jewelry off before getting in the water will protect it and extend the life of the jewelry.
Don’t focus on brand when buying a piece of jewelry. Not only is most jewelry not brand-recognizable, but you are also going to pay more just for the name. It is not difficult to find quality jewelry that is made by different brands.
Onyx or crystal pieces can make their own statement. There are many pleasing options that can save you money.
If you are saving up for an investment piece, make sure your jewelry will last as long as you would like for it to! Although you’ll almost always get high quality when the item is expensive, don’t forget to consider the style as well. A precious stone tiara may be a great addition to your New Year’s Eve outfit this year, but maybe an elegant diamond tennis bracelet will make you feel like a queen for years to come. Try and find something that is timeless.
Surprise your partner with a stunning piece of jewelry simply to let her know that you love and appreciate her. An unexpected present is a great way to renew your romance. She gets a new piece of jewelry, and you get the joy of watching her open it with an expression of delight.
For the longest time, rubies have held a special place in the world of jewelry. Although rubies are red, there are many different variations of red ranging from maroon to deep rose pink. As a gemstone, rubies are extremely dense. They are impervious to high pressures and corrosion. Both their appearance and their toughness make them perfect to use in jewelry.
Before selling a piece of jewelry, you should have it appraised by a gemologist or accredited appraiser. Having an accurate price on your jewelry will allow you to refuse offers that are too low when you are selling.
It is very difficult to distinguish natural sapphires and rubies from artificial ones. The chemical and physical composition of natural and artificial stones can be identical, but the man-made ones are manufactured for a small percentage of the price of a natural flawless gem. If you have the least suspicions about a “natural” sapphire or ruby you want to buy, get it checked out by a professional gemologist who can detect the inclusions that occur in natural stones.
Before you even begin searching for an engagement ring, be sure that you are knowledgeable about the price of diamonds. Shopping for a diamond can be very emotional. Keeping to a budget can be tricky if you get swept away with the romance and excitement of shopping.
A lot of people enjoy wearing yellow gold and silver jewelry at the same time. In order to do this, you need to have a piece of jewelry that combines both metals. Trying to mix radically different pieces can often have disastrous results.
Remember that wedding bands can be enhanced or upgraded in later years, so don’t blow your budget by purchasing one that you cannot afford right away. You can always get the perfect ring on another important occasion, such as a later anniversary. Many jewelers will buy back rings they sold you and allow you to trade up to a larger diamond or more expensive ring.
Well, it’s easy when you know how. This article has just touched on a few of things that you should know about this very rewarding hobby. There is much to learn, but at least you’ve now got a few good ideas to put to work.
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.