Regardless of why jewelry appeals to you, you should learn the ins and outs of how to buy and maintain different jewelry types. This article will provide you with some key tips on how to best shop for jewelry.
Don’t use harsh chemicals like turpentine or bleach to clean jewelry. You can turn your stones this way and it will eat away the enamel on the pieces.
If you are shopping for sterling silver jewelry, you’ll need a magnet and an eye for the real thing. 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.
The metals in jewelry can tarnish if exposed to humid air, so you will want to store them in a way that protects them. It’s best to store it in a closed box, like a jewelry box, or a drawstring bag. Humidity quickly tarnishes both precious and non-precious metal. Precious metals can often be polished to remove most tarnish. Non-precious metals often have a single coat of metal. Therefore, polishing them can remove the coat and show the copper that is found underneath.
To keep your jewelry looking great, take steps to prevent it from tarnish. Don’t wear jewelry near water. Many pieces can become rusty, tarnished or dull when they are exposed to water. If you want to give your jewelry a measure of protection from this element, coat it thinly with clear nail polish.
When shopping for diamonds, it’s best to comparison shop. Take a look at the diamonds up close, then put it next to other pieces you are interested in. There are many ways to make a diamond look better than it really is.
Costume Jewelry
Before you buy any new jewelry, you should look around for the latest trends. The only thing that beats getting a new piece of jewelry is getting it for a discounted price!
Take good care of your costume jewelry. Many of the stones and embellishments are just glued in instead of set in a professional setting. Never immerse your costume jewelry or use harsh chemicals on it. It is best to have two cloths ready, one warm with water and one dry, to use to wipe your jewelry. This will keep any costume jewelry that you have looking great.
Give the jewelry a little test drive and wear it for a little bit to see if it is comfortable and lays right. Doing this also tells you how well it stands up to normal daily wear.
Keep all of your jewelry cleaner by putting it on only after you have applied all makeup and perfume. The dust, oils and particles from makeup rub off on jewelry; putting on jewels first means they will get dingy and dull with a film of makeup over them. This is particularly important in the case of necklaces and earrings.
A brooch will accent your belt and will instantly add visual interest. The best places to pin the brooch for maximum visual impact are the middle of your waist and at hip line.
Buy jewelry on sale whenever possible. Finding a store offering extreme markdowns is a way to realize tremendous savings. Sales can be found online, in store windows, or in your local newspaper. If you buy the older fashions that are from the previous season, you can save a lot of money.
One key thing to remember is to only put your jewelry on after you’ve applied your makeup. Any kind of spare dust or oil will attach itself to your jewelry, so putting it on before makeup will just make it look a little dirty. This tip is especially important when it comes to earrings and necklaces.
Learn how to unravel a knotted necklace, even one with delicate loops. Instead of giving up a knotted chain as hopeless, try using plastic wrap and some clear oil. Place your jewelry on the plastic wrap and add a little baby oil. Use small needles to untangle the necklaces. When your necklaces are straight, use dish soap to wash the oil off and pat them dry.
If you are interested in acquiring new jewelry pieces, try to find great sales. With the right kind of sale, you can save a lot of money. Look for the best promotions and sales on the Internet, in your local paper, on television ads, and even in storefront windows. Consider buying something that is out of style to get a better deal.
When you want to sell jewelry on the Internet, you should try to show it off in an attractive way. This is quite key since your customer can not physically see and feel the jewelry when purchasing it online. Take photos that clearly focus on the jewelry, without a distracting background.
Make sure that you regularly untangle delicate, knotted necklaces. While it can be frustrating untangling metal necklaces, consider using plastic wrap. Lay the necklace on the plastic wrap, and then cover it with a thin coat of mineral oil or baby oil. Use small needles to untangle the necklaces. Wash with dish soap and pat dry.
The size of the diamond is not always the most critical detail, the cut and clarity are important also. Also, bear in mind the style of the intended recipient.
Have a use in mind for every piece of jewelry you buy. There’s no sense in spending a lot of money of pieces that you’ll never wear. Take a look in your closet and consider what outfits your jewelry will accessorize.
Think about getting a set of jewelry rather than a single piece. Jewelry stores often offer remarkable deals on jewelry sets. You can even divide the pieces and give them to multiple recipients or on multiple occasions. This is a fabulous way to always have a gift that someone will love.
The shape and shine of a diamond means more than the size. It’s also important to consider the personality of whomever is to receive the diamond.
It is vitally important that each of your bracelets and necklaces have a strong clasp attached to them. If your chains and pendants with costly gems do not have secure clasps, you may lose them. For very expensive necklaces and bracelets, at least one safety clasp is recommended. It isn’t unusual for people to protect their most cherished jewelry with a second or even a third clasp.
This rule applies to dry saunas as well as steam ones. The moisture and heat can cause your jewelry to become damaged.
Find some robe hooks and use those to keep all of your necklaces from getting tangled. You can hang a whole row of these small pieces of hardware along a wall or the back of a closet door, then hang your necklaces in groups by color or length. Not only will this prevent your necklaces from getting entwined in your jewelry box, it will also look really attractive.
When you are shopping for gifts, why not consider a jewelry set? Many jewelers offer deals on jewelry sets. You can easily make that one purchase into two gifts for different occasions by breaking the set up and presenting it to them on the different days. This is an excellent way to give something every holiday season without having to worry that you will forget.
Resist the temptation to pay more for jewelry because of a supposedly high-class brand. Nobody will realize where this piece came from, and the seller may sell the piece at a higher price because of this brand. There are excellent quality jewelry pieces from various brands.
Be sure to always remove your jewelry before going for a swim. Chlorine is a strong chemical and it can damage the luster and life of your precious jewelry pieces. Over time, salt water is just as harmful to your jewelry. Lengthen the jewelry’s life, and ensure it keeps its beauty by removing any precious items before entering the pool.
If you are ready to spend a lot of money on a piece of jewelry, make sure it is something that will be with you for years to come. Quality and durability are usually givens when you spend big, but style and fashion also come into play. Something that is trendy right now might look ridiculous in a few years. Decide on timeless pieces that will stay in fashion.
You will want to purchase jewelry that will have an extended lifespan if you are spending a great deal of money. Consider both style and quality when selecting your next jewelry purchase. Although the piece might be in style right now, it might be considered passe in just a few years. Select a classic piece that never goes out of fashion.
If your heart is stuck and set on gold jewelry then high gold prices can be a drawback for you. If you are determined to buy real gold, you might have to be flexible on the carats, in order to save money. The best combination of price and quality is an 18k piece made without less than 75% pure gold.
If you are wearing a simple outfit, wear bigger jewelery. Try wearing a simple black dress for a gorgeous and classy outfit.
Well-maintained jewelry holds both its resale value and sentimental value. By learning how to treat your jewelry right, you are protecting the memories and dollars invested in it. With the vast amount of information available on jewelry, you may never stop learning how to get the most out of the jewelry you own. By continuing to absorb this information, you can care for your jewelry this way.
A beautiful stone that many do not know about is Alexandrite. This stone will change from a purple color to a green, depending if it is outside or indoors. It is common in many types of jewelry, like rings or earrings.