The idea of jewelry can be just as impressive as the bright pieces you wear. Jewelry gives material form to memories and acts as a symbol of important relationships, such as engagements and marriages. Learn more about jewelry and you will be better prepared to choose the perfect pieces to buy and sell for every special occasion.
Use a polishing cloth for all of your jewelry pieces. This is a natural way to shine all of your jewelry without relying on abrasives or other harsh chemicals. Use the two-sided cloth to polish your jewelry as if you were cleaning glass. Use the one side designated for polish, and the other for making it shine.
Keep your whole jewelry collection sparkling with a polishing cloth. This is a fairly simple way to achieve shine without dealing with solvents and chemicals. Simply use the two-sided polishing cloth to polish your jewelry the same way you would polish a glass. Use one side of the cloth for polishing, and reserve the other side for shining it afterward.
Steer clear of ammonia, bleach or other strong chemical solvents when you need to clean these items. These chemicals can turn stones dull and even erode the enamel.
Never store your jewelry in open air or humidity. Trying putting them in a box with a tight-fitting lid or a bag that has a drawstring closure. Air and humidity can tarnish metals of all types. It is possible to polish precious metals, but polishing non-precious metals will damage the coating, which makes the copper that metal was covering show.
To distinguish between real and fake, bring a magnet when you shop for sterling silver jewelry. You are able to detect fake pieces of sterling jewelry with a magnet, as non-precious metals are attracted by the magnet. True sterling sliver always has some sort of hallmark stamp on it, such as .925, sterling or ster. If there is no hallmark, watch its authenticity since it may be fake.
Synthetic Gems
Jewelry should last for years to come. Always purchase pieces from reputable jewelers in order to make sure you are getting quality pieces. You can tell when jewelry is of high quality, due to the excellent craftsmanship. Ask the jeweler what the origin of the piece is, like the maker and the origin of the stones. If you select high-quality jewelry, it will last you forever.
Knowing what type of jewel you are buying when you purchase jewelry is very important. You have three options as far as the type of gem: natural, imitation and synthetic. Natural and synthetic gems are real stones, but imitation is just plastic colored to look like the real thing. Natural gems are dug up from the ground, and synthetic gems are man-made in a lab.
Be sure to pay attention to details like type of metal and shape. By doing this you should have a good idea what to buy them.
Preventing tarnish will keep your jewelry look its best. Remove your jewelry if you plan on spending time in or near water. Exposure can result in tarnishing, rusting or dulling of different metals. Clear nail polish can be used to protect your jewelry if you apply a very thin coat of it on your pieces.
Before you buy anything new, found out about the latest trend. If there is one thing better than finding the perfect, most heart-stopping bauble, it would be snagging the piece at a wonderful price!
Know how to keep your jewelry beautiful. The variety of stones, metals and assorted settings will determine the ways in which you care for them. What works for a certain kind of stone may not work for another. If you are uncertain what the best practice is for caring for a particular piece of jewelry, ask your jeweler.
Try wearing the item for a little while to see if it is comfortable and hangs correctly. This will also help you to determine if the piece is sufficiently durable.
Costume Jewelry
Costume jewelry has different, specific care requirements. Costume jewelry is often put together using glue and other adhesives, unlike stoned that are set using metal. Never immerse your costume jewelry or use harsh chemicals on it. Use a damp cloth, then dry it with another clean, dry cloth. This helps keep costume jewelry looking sparkling clean and new.
Costume jewelry requires specific care. Often, stones will be glued into their settings, which makes them more prone to falling out than regular jewelry. Don’t let them go under water or clean them with strong chemicals, or you could dissolve the glue. The best way to maintain your costume jewelry is to use a moist, warm cloth first, then dry it off with another cloth. This will make your costume jewelry sparkle for weeks, months, or even years.
Try searching for sales when purchasing jewelry. You can save a lot of money with the right sale. Watch for sales in the newspaper, on the Internet, and even in the stores themselves. Purchasing a piece of jewelry that is recently out of style can save you nearly half of what you would have paid originally.
Think about ordering custom jewelery if you want to make an original gift to someone who counts for you. Besides affection and admiration, an ideal jewelry gift expresses creativity and thoughtfulness. A custom-made piece selected to suit the recipient’s personality is an excellent way for you to demonstrate these feelings.
If there are knots in your necklaces, you can easily untangle them. It’s easy to get frustrated with tangled necklaces, but saran wrap can come to the rescue. Place the tangled pieces on this plastic with some mineral or baby oil. Using sewing needles, you should be able to separate the knot. Wash with dishwashing liquid then pat dry.
The brooch will call attention to your belt and make it more interesting to look at. Pin it in the center of your waist or towards your hip.
Have a use in mind for every piece of jewelry you buy. A big supply of jewelry that you never wear is of little use to you. When making a selection, remember your outfits, clothing and accessories.
Make sure that you regularly untangle delicate, knotted necklaces. Sometimes you give up on untangling a mess but you can get yourself some plastic wrap before you do give up. After placing the necklace on the wrap, coat it with mineral or baby oil. Use small needles to untangle the necklaces. Wash any oil residue from the necklace with dishwashing liquid, and gently pat it dry.
A diamond’s cut, as well as its clarity, are considerably more important than size in determining value and appeal. Remember to think about the personality and style of the woman you’re getting the diamond for.
When you list jewelry for sale online, make sure you present it in the best possible way. This is very important to remember because the person that may purchase it cannot hold it before purchasing it. Take pictures of jewelry in an environment that will put the focus on just the piece, not the background.
When you are purchasing diamonds, do some shopping around. Every diamond is uniquely different from another, and they each have their own flaws. When you see the diamond yourself, you may find certain flaws not to be that important. Jewelers price diamonds differently, depending on their flaws. Make sure you browse different shops to locate the best diamond for the price range you have in mind.
Both steam and dry saunas are included. The moisture and high temperatures in saunas can do real damage to your jewelry.
Do not swim while wearing jewelry. The strength of chlorine means it can hurt the shine of your jewelry and decrease its life. Salt water can also degrade jewelry. Removing pieces before heading into the water will extend their life and protect their beauty.
Hit up several different stores when looking for diamond jewelry. Every diamond varies and has individual flaws. A diamond’s flaws must be seen in person for you to truly understand the impact it has on the stone’s beauty. Jewelers price diamonds differently, depending on their flaws. Try different jewelers and locate the most beautiful diamond you can afford to buy.
When you are purchasing expensive jewelry, you should remind yourself that this is an investment that you will want to wear for many years. Consider both style and quality when selecting your next jewelry purchase. Something that is trendy right now might look ridiculous in a few years. Check out some of the options that stand the test of time and maintain a unique edge.
Never go swimming while wearing jewelry. The chlorine in swimming pools can ruin a piece of jewelry. Likewise, salt water can also damage your jewelry. By taking your jewelry off of your body before swimming, you will be protecting it from the harsh chlorine and salt.
When creating jewelry for selling at craft sales, holiday sales and flea markets, you probably do not know methods of displaying it in a beautiful fashion. Consider the look of your displays when shopping for materials to use in your jewelry creations. With a bit of ingenuity, even the most random object can be transformed easily into a unique jewelry display case. Look for interesting ways to use things like hatboxes, baskets and unique sculptures.
To conveniently hang your necklaces, try using robe hooks. Create an instant necklace storage area by mounting a row of these hooks on a closet wall. Hanging your necklaces will keep them looking nice, keep them from becoming tangled together and can work as a beautiful display as well.
Rubies deserve their reputation as a very popular gemstone. Rubies are red, of course, but when talking about rubies, they come in many different shades. There are dark maroons to light pinks. They are very durable and can resist being hit and stand up to many chemicals. So, they’re not only beautiful, they’re strong, making them an excellent choice for jewelry.
Don’t just buy a piece of jewelry because of what the brand is. Most people will not really know where you discovered the piece. Sellers try to get you to buy brand name jewelry just because it is more expensive. You can find fabulous quality from various brands.
It is becoming increasingly popular to wear silver and gold jewelry at the same time. In order to do this, you need to have a piece of jewelry that combines both metals. If you do not, the look will appear dated and sloppy.
Whether you buy, sell or simply own jewelry, you are making an investment in a commodity that is priceless – memories. Whether your jewelry symbolizes happiness from the past or hopes for great times in the future, every piece of jewelry is linked to human emotion.
Clean your jewelry with a soft, moist cloth to prevent damage to the setting. After a gentle cleaning, take out a soft cloth and dry the piece completely. Don’t use any type of chemical or steam on your costume jewelry.