It takes a lot of homework to buy or sell jewelery and get the most out of it. Jewelry buying can be an overwhelming process for beginners.
Arm yourself with a magnet and a magnifying glass when shopping for sterling silver jewelry. By using the magnet you can quickly determine if the jewelry item is made of a cheaper metal and not sterling silver. You can recognize sterling silver by stamps that say ‘.925’ or ‘ster’. If the piece that you are looking at is not hallmarked, this is usually the sign that it is a fake.
Use a soft cloth on your jewelry as often as you want. This will allow your jewelry to shine without using chemicals. Use a two-sided cloth to simply polish your jewelry as if it were composed of glass. Polish jewelry with one side of the cloth, then flip it over and shine jewelry with the other side.
Pay attention to the type of metal they wear, such as white gold or yellow gold. Also notice if your loved one usually wears hoops or studs. Doing this will provide a good basis for where you should begin so that you can purchase a special piece for that special someone.
Jewelry is an investment that should last forever. When buying jewelry, only buy from dealers with good reputations, so that you don’t buy a piece that seems durable, but really isn’t. Jewelry should display exemplary craftsmanship and be well-made. The jeweler should be able to give you a history on the piece, like who crafted it and where the stones came from if there are any. It is important to choose a high-quality piece to ensure that your jewelry will last a lifetime.
Find out what the ideal methods are for maintaining each piece of jewelry you own. Each type of stone, metal, and setting requires different type of care. What works for one material could damage another. If you can’t find information about caring for a specific piece of jewelry, consult a trusted jeweler.
Prevent your jewelry from tarnishing so that it keeps looking great. Never wear your jewelry when you are going to be near water. Many of the metals become tarnished, rusty or dull when they get exposed to the elements of water. To protect your jewelry from exposure, apply a single coat of clear nail lacquer to its surface.
Be careful when untangling your delicate necklaces. While it can be frustrating untangling metal necklaces, consider using plastic wrap. Lay the necklace out on plastic wrap, then apply baby or mineral oil. Needles can be used to untangle it. Wash with dishwashing liquid then pat dry.
When you are buying new jewelery, think about the stones you want to get. The gemstone you choose should work with your skin tone and suit 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 something if it does not work for you.
The shape and shine of a diamond means more than the size. In addition, consider the characteristics and traits of the recipient of this diamond.
You need to learn the best ways to take care of your jewelry. Different kinds of jewelery will require you take care of them in different ways. Processes that may work for one type of jewelry may be harmful to others. Ask a jeweler when you do not know how to take care of your jewelry.
This means steam saunas and dry saunas. The reason for this is that the heat and the moisture can taint the jewelry and cause problems.
Costume Jewelry
If you’re in the market for diamond jewelry, make sure to comparison shop. Every diamond is unique and has its own flaws. If you can personally view a flaw, it may become less significant in your eyes. Also, jewelers can adjust prices based on a specific diamond’s particular condition. Do your research and shop smart in order to find the best diamond at the best possible price.
You will need to take special care when you are buying costume jewelery! Costume jewelry is generally bound by glue rather than settings and is therefore, a lot more fragile. Don’t submerge costume jewelry in water or clean it with abrasives. Use a gentle cloth, like microfiber, to clean it. One wet, then another, dry. This keeps dirt from building up and making your jewelry look dull.
When you are looking to buy someone a gift, you may consider getting a jewelry set. Jewelry stores often offer remarkable deals on jewelry sets. You could always break the sets up and give them as individual gifts. This is a fabulous way to always have a gift that someone will love.
For those creative, quirky people in your life, shop for handcrafted original pieces. A one-of-a-kind jewelry piece is a great way to show someone how much they mean to you.
All bracelets and necklaces must have a good, durable clasp or closure. You may end up losing a treasured or costly piece through no fault of your own. You can avoid this by looking at the clasps prior to purchasing new pieces. For very expensive necklaces and bracelets, at least one safety clasp is recommended. For added protection, you may choose to use an additional clasp beyond the one you already have.
A brooch will add a little character to your belt. Pin it in the front or at your hip.
Use attractive robe hooks to hang your necklaces, keeping them tangle-free. Organize these hooks in a row and use them to keep your necklaces free-hanging and untangled. You can group them by style, length or other criteria. This will keep you from having to worry about tangled necklaces the next time you go for one, and it happens to also be an attractive way to display them.
Even knotted necklaces with delicate loops can be untangled. Sometimes you give up on untangling a mess but you can get yourself some plastic wrap before you do give up. Put the chain on the wrap, then pour on a bit of mineral oil or baby oil. Use a straight pin to untangle the knot. Once it’s untangled, use dish soap to wash the necklace and pat it dry.
When buying jewelry, you should not buy something only because of the brand. It will be difficult for others to tell where you purchased an item, and if you’re only buying something because of the name, it could very well be overpriced. You can find good, quality jewelry from a number of different brands.
Have a use in mind for every piece of jewelry you buy. You don’t need a box full of unused jewelry. As you shop for jewelry, try to envision whether you can see yourself wearing a piece with your current wardrobe.
If you plan to invest a great deal of money in a piece of jewelry, opt for a piece that will last many years. Quality pieces are often accompanied by a hefty price tag, but you should also carefully consider style and trends. Trends in jewelry can be fleeting and result in unworn pieces later. Try to find something timeless and classic.
If you are looking to sell jewelry online, ensure that the photos you use make the piece look attractive. This is important to do because when someone purchases something online, they don’t have it in front of them to feel and touch. Take pictures of jewelry in an environment that will put the focus on just the piece, not the background.
You can actually earn money off of your gold bracelets and necklaces without giving them up entirely. All it takes is clipping off any excess material, usually only a few inches. You will still keep your piece intact so you can wear it. When gold prices are high, a little bit of scrap metal can earn you a nice amount of money.
Comparison shopping for diamonds is critical. Every single diamond is unique and has individual flaws. When you see the diamond yourself, you may find certain flaws not to be that important. Also, each jeweler can price point a little bit differently based on the flaws. You should always shop around to find the best possible diamond for a price that you can afford.
Traditional simple clothing can be paired with colorful ornate jewelry to add some interest. It is better to pair something complex with a solid background. This will show off the jewelry’s fine design.
A good quality clap is very important to any necklace or bracelet. Clasps keep your pendants safe. Valuable bracelets and necklaces should be secured with a safety clasp. For very expensive items, some consumers choose to increase security with an additional clasp or two.
A beautiful, but quite often overlooked gemstone, is Alexandrite. This stone will change colors from green to purple, depending on the sun and temperature. Alexandrite is usually found in earrings, rings or pendants.
Use attractive robe hooks to hang your necklaces, keeping them tangle-free. Organize these hooks in a row and use them to keep your necklaces free-hanging and untangled. You can group them by style, length or other criteria. This keeps your necklaces from balling into a knotty cluster in the jewelry box, and it looks lovely, too.
Take any fine jewelry you are considering selling to a gemologist or a certified appraiser. By doing this, you will get a truthful appraisal that is based on the value of the item, and you will be ready to negotiate a price for your piece when you decide to sell.
As you can see, it does indeed require some knowledge and effort for both the buying and selling of jewelry. This article has provided you with important techniques to ensure your success.
If you want the effect of a large, dazzling diamond, an illusion setting is a good choice. With this setting, before the diamond has been set, a mirrored plate is placed on the ring. The diamond reflects off the plate, and the result is a splashy, sparkly diamond that looks larger than it is. Repairs can be complicated for this kind of setting, so keep that in mind when making your choice.