No matter who you are buying jewelry for or why you are buying it, you must know how to responsibly purchase, sell and adequately care for it. This article will provide you with tips and tricks to get the most from your jewelry shopping time and efforts.
Do not use harsh chemicals such as ammonia, bleach, turpentine or acetone to clean them. Using them may result in damage to your jewelry, may cause dulling of gemstones, and may erode enamel work.
Don’t use things that contain harsh chemicals like bleach, ammonia, acetone or turpentine, to clean your jewelry. These chemicals can turn stones dull and even erode the enamel.
Never store your jewelry in open air or humidity. A jewelry box or drawstring bag out of a humid area is ideal. Both air and humidity can lead to tarnished metal. Tarnish can be removed from precious metals like gold and silver, but they cannot be removed from other metals.
Ensure you are certain how to keep your jewelery in one place so it is not damaged. A better idea is to keep the pieces separate by using boxes, hooks, compartments or holders. Don’t just put them in one huge, unorganized pile. This can harm fragile and fine pieces, along with severely tangling necklaces with other pieces.
A magnet is a useful tool when shopping for jewelry in sterling silver. As a precious metal, silver should never be attracted to a magnet. True sterling sliver always has some sort of hallmark stamp on it, such as .925, sterling or ster. If the piece that you are looking at is not hallmarked, this is usually the sign that it is a fake.
Do they prefer to wear over-sized pieces or more delicate styles? Yellow gold or silver? This information will allow you to purchase that special piece that they will treasure for life.
A piece of jewelry should be long lasting. Go to a dealer you can trust to make sure you get a quality item at a fair price. A truly high-quality piece is one that is well-constructed and of superior workmanship. The jeweler should tell you about who made the piece and the origin of the stones. Take your time when selecting a high-quality piece if you want it to last you for a long time.
Check to see if your jeweler offers an insurance policy before purchasing an item. If something happens to your piece, you’ll know you can take it to the jeweler you bought it from, who will repair it or replace the piece. Some jewelers even offer insurance for jewelry pieces that have been misplaced or stolen.
Notice what type of earrings they are wearing, including the shape and metal. Doing this will provide a good basis for where you should begin so that you can purchase a special piece for that special someone.
Consider stones when you are buying jewelry. Choose stones that complement your complexion and that best reflect your personality. Neutral colors are very versatile, as they match well with any outfit. There is no point in buying something that is not functional.
It’s great that you love costume jewelry, but make sure you evaluate the condition of any piece you plan to buy. Costume jewelry can prove to be a good investment, but worn, broken, or otherwise damaged pieces are not worth the expense. Stick to pieces that are in good to excellent condition, as they are the best investments.
Think about how best ways to look after your jewelry. There’s an ideal way to clean every different type of setting and stone. What is beneficial to one stone or setting may hurt another. Whenever you buy a new piece of jewelry, ask the jeweler the best way to clean and maintain it.
Going through a day wearing the jewelry will let you get familiar with how it hangs and whether or not it will be comfortable. This can also help you see whether the piece is durable enough to last.
Doing this will not only accentuate your waist, it will also act as the accent piece for your outfit. Try pinning it at the center of your waist or near your hip.
Stones are an important part of jewelry so ensure they factor heavily in your decision. Certain stones will do a better job of complementing your skin tone and your personality than others. Pieces in neutral tones work well with any item in your wardrobe. Do not buy anything that you cannot wear.
Gems are given chemical treatments in the process of cutting, polishing and setting. When you are thinking of buying, ask what treatment a stone was given. The various treatments that gems are given means that they need to be cared for differently. Applying the wrong chemical when cleaning a gemstone can cause the protective treatment to dissolve, and damage the appearance of the gem.
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. Different treatments require different types of care. If you use the wrong cleanser because you are uneducated about the gem, you could strip off the treatment and even damage the stone.
Plastic Wrap
Before you purchase a diamond ring, necklace or bracelet, shop around and compare your options. Every diamond is unique, and each will have some flaws. Some flaws may not seem that critical to you when you see the diamond in person. Additionally, keep in mind that the jeweler will have a unique pricing structure depending on his or her subjectivity. Do your research and shop smart in order to find the best diamond at the best possible price.
Untangle your knotted necklaces, even the delicate ones. Believe it or not, you can use plastic wrap to untangle jewelry. Lay the necklace on the plastic wrap, and then cover it with a thin coat of mineral oil or baby oil. Untangle it with the use of a needle. Clean with warm, soapy water and gently pat dry.
A clasp that will hold up is a very important part of any necklace or bracelet. Clasps keep your pendants safe. You can purchase a safety clasp to secure expensive pieces of jewelry. For very expensive items, some consumers choose to increase security with an additional clasp or two.
This goes for any type of sauna, either steam or dry. The jewelry can be damaged from extreme heat or moisture.
Never go swimming while wearing jewelry. Chlorine is a strong chemical and it can damage the luster and life of your precious jewelry pieces. Salt water can damage them over time too. To safeguard your valuable jewelry, set it aside in a safe place before you go in for a swim.
When it is properly selected and cared for, jewelry has considerable value, both sentimental and financial. By educating yourself on proper jewelry care and maintenance, you can preserve the money and memories invested in your pieces. When you educate yourself on everything there is to know about jewelry you learn what it takes to get the most from your jewelry.
Robe hooks are a great way to keep necklaces safe and separate. Install the hooks in a row on a wall or closet door, and use them to organize your necklaces by style, color, length or any other system that works for you. Not only is this a decorative touch to your intimate spaces, but it will protect the necklaces from being damaged by excessive contact with other pieces in a small box.