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 offers some basic guidelines for preserving the appearance and value of your jewelry.
Avoid harsh chemicals like bleach, ammonia and acetone that may permanently damage your jewelry. These chemicals can wreak havoc on your jewelry, from discoloring bands, to dulling stones, to eroding enamel or glue.
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.
Make sure you know what kind of gem you are getting when you are buying jewelry. Gemstones now come in natural as well as synthetic and imitation types. “Real” can mean natural or synthetic, and an imitation stone could be glass or plastic. Natural stones are mined, and synthetic stones are created in a laboratory.
Quality Jewelry
Do your research before settling on one diamond. See what you like up close, and then compare it to other pieces that you look at. You should be aware that there are many deceptive people trying to sell jewelry; therefore, it is essential to learn and understand what is involved when selecting a new diamond.
Good jewelry will last a lifetime. It is important to invest in a quality piece of jewelry, so only work with respected and reputable jewelers. Any high-quality jewelry will show superior craftsmanship, and will 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. You’ll create an heirloom tomorrow if you choose high-quality jewelry today.
Make sure you check into insurance policies when you make a jewelry purchase from a jeweler. Look for a good policy that lets you return damaged items. In some instances, you can even insure your jewelry against loss or theft.
Do some shopping around when you are looking to buy some diamonds. Always see the piece up close, and compare it critically to any others you’re considering. Be alert, since there are various ways to deceive consumers into thinking a diamond is better then it really is.
Prevent your jewelry from tarnishing so that it keeps looking great. Remove your jewelry if you plan on spending time in or near water. Some metals will tarnish, dull or rust when exposed to water or perspiration. Apply clear nail polish to your jewelery as an added protection.
If you can prevent your jewelry from tarnishing, it will surely look much more attractive. Remove your jewelry if you plan on spending time in or near water. If you let some metals get wet too often, they can tarnish, rust or become dull. Applying a very thin covering of clear nail varnish to your jewelry offers an added degree of protection.
Your jewelry will stay cleaner if you wait until after you apply make-up to put it on. The grime and dust in makeup are attracted to the jewelry, and if you put on the jewelry before the cosmetics, it can cause the pieces to look dull. This tip especially applies to necklaces and earrings.
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.
It is possible to remove the knots from jewelry that has become tangled. Believe it or not, you can use plastic wrap to untangle jewelry. Place your necklace on the wrap and put baby oil or mineral oil on it. Untangle it with the use of a needle. Once it’s untangled, use dish soap to wash the necklace and pat it dry.
Take careful consideration when thinking of how you want to care for the jewelry you purchase. Different metals, stones, and settings have different needs to ensure proper maintenance. What works for a certain kind of stone may not work for another. If you are unfamiliar with the correct way to clean or maintain a piece, consult a jeweler.
Before buying any jewelry, think about what you will use it for. There is no point in filling your jewelery box with things you cannot wear. Think of the outfits that you own, and use those to help you choose your jewelry.
Costume Jewelry
A clasp that will hold up is a very important part of any necklace or bracelet. Weak clasps put your expensive pieces of jewelry at risk of loss. Valuable bracelets and necklaces should be secured with a safety clasp. There are those that use two or three clasps to keep their jewelry safe while they wear it.
Costume jewelry needs special care. Many of the costume type settings are glued-in, rather than set-in. Avoid using harsh chemicals on these pieces, and do not immerse them. It is best to have two cloths ready, one warm with water and one dry, to use to wipe your jewelry. This will help your costume jewelry to continue looking great.
The price of gold is a major limiting factor to being able to afford beautiful gold jewelry. If you simply must have that gold ring, necklace or bracelet, be flexible in terms of karats. If gold is described as 18 karat it is not less than seventy five percent pure, this is considered to be the best quality.
If you are presenting a gift to someone who has their own unusual style, look for an item of jewelry that is in line with their clothing and lifestyle choices. This means you have taken the time to think about the gift and make it as personal as possible. Customized jewelery will also help you convey the right message.
You can make money with your gold bracelets and necklaces. The best part, though, is you still get to keep the pieces. If you feel they are a little too long, just trim them a bit and sell the scraps. Then you will still have your jewelry and a little extra cash. You could make hundreds by shortening the chains of your necklaces, provided they are made of real gold.
Ask your jeweler before you make a purchse about what kinds of treatments were used on the gemstones in the piece. It is important to understand the varying treatment processes because each one requires a specific care regimen. You do not want to try to clean a treated gem with a solution that may strip the treatment and damage the gem in the process.
Buy a piece of jewelry you can reasonably afford. 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. You can always add to the ring when finances are better or add a nice ring guard as an anniversary present.
If you are interested in acquiring new jewelry pieces, try to find great sales. You can save a lot of money with the right sale. Locate the best prices online, in newspapers and in stores. If you purchase something on clearance, you might save 50% or more off the original purchase price.
Jewelry is a gift that suits any occasion, but your special someone might be especially delighted to receive jewelry as a surprise. Every woman loves receiving an unexpected gift of jewelry. You will also get to enjoy watching her face light up and her eyes open wide in surprise as you hand her that pretty little box.
It is critical that the photos and descriptions you use to sell jewelry online are attractive and high-quality. 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 professional-looking pictures of your pieces and let people know you can send more pictures upon request.
If you want to use necklaces you used when you were a child without looking immature or outdated, try pairing them with bigger and modern pieces. A small pendant, perhaps a cross or heart, can add a touch of greater meaning when layered with other more modern necklaces.
The size of the diamond is not always the most critical detail, the cut and clarity are important also. Remember to think about the personality and style of the woman you’re getting the diamond for.
If you wish to sell fine jewelry, try seeing a master gemologist and/or a certified appraiser. This will ensure that you get an honest quote, and you can use the information to help you know what offers are good and which are not when selling.
Avoid steam saunas and dry ones. The reason for this is that the heat and the moisture can taint the jewelry and cause problems.
One way to get the most out a fairly modest diamond is to get an illusion setting for it. Illusion settings have a mirror beneath the diamond. The diamond will look much bigger and brighter. One disadvantage of this setting is the relative difficulty of making repairs.
If you take proper care of your necklaces, rings and other pieces, you can ensure that each item looks brilliant and holds its value through the years. If you take care of your jewelry, you can have it last longer. When you educate yourself on everything there is to know about jewelry you learn what it takes to get the most from your jewelry.
If you are unable to afford the wedding ring of your dreams, consider buying something smaller and then upgrading later on when you have more money to spend. You could also make a plan to receive an upgraded diamond ring on your wedding anniversary, or another momentous occasion. Many jewelers have programs that will allow you to trade your ring in exchange for something bigger.