Whether your purchase jewelry for friends, inherit valuable pieces or receive jewelry as a gift, it is important that you are aware of the best buying, selling and cleaning jewelry practices. This article will give you the tips and tricks that you need to get the most from the money and time you devote to jewelry.
Do not clean your jewelry with chemicals such as bleach or ammonia. Harsh chemicals will dull your stones and dissolve the enamel on your jewelry.
You never want to use bleach, ammonia, or any other cleaning solvents that are not designed specifically for cleaning jewelry. Doing so can destroy enamel finishes, while clouding stones and crystals.
When you go diamond shopping, make sure that you do shopping comparisons. Start by finding what you like, and then begin comparing it with other pieces. With diamonds, you need to have a keen eye because of the many tricks people will use to enhance it.
Be cautious of the way all of your personal jewelry gets stored together. Using boxes, hooks, holders, and compartments is very effective for ensuring the pieces stay separated. Throwing the jewelry together into the jewelry box is a no-no. This can damage fragile jewelry, and make it difficult to find the necklace you want because it’s tangled with other pieces.
Check to see if your jeweler offers an insurance policy before purchasing an item. This is so that if something happens to your piece, you can return it to have it replaced or repaired. Sometimes you can even get replacement coverage for loss or theft.
When you purchase jewelry, you are investing in an item that will last a lifetime. When purchasing your next jewelry item, focus on buying a quality, well-made piece. High-quality jewelry is durable and displays excellent craftsmanship. Make sure the jeweler is able to tell you the history of the piece, including who created it and where any stones come from. It is important that your pieces are high-quality if you want them to last a long time.
Look at the condition of costume jewelry before making a purchase. Costume jewelery pieces can be expensive but they are not worth the investment if they look too old. The most useful pieces in your collection are the ones that are in excellent condition.
To keep your jewelry looking great, take steps to prevent it from tarnish. For example, avoid taking your jewelry somewhere it can get wet. Water can cause some metals to lose their luster or to become tarnished or rusty. Painting a thin layer of clear-colored nail polish on your metal jewelry can add a protective barrier to it.
It is a good idea to determine the best approaches for jewelry care. Different styles of jewelry affect the way they need to be cared for; one type of metal will need a different treatment than another, for example. A treatment that polishes one stone may scratch another stone. If you can’t find information about caring for a specific piece of jewelry, consult a trusted jeweler.
Costume Jewelry
Costume jewelry needs to be handled and stored delicately. Many embellishments on costume jewelry are only secured with glue rather than set into the piece. Keep your costume jewelery away from water or chemicals. It’s most beneficial to use a damp warm cloth to gently wipe, then use another cloth to dry. This keeps costume jewelry looking its best.
Remember that even costume jewelry needs careful attention. Costume jewelry is generally bound by glue rather than settings and is therefore, a lot more fragile. For this reason, costume jewelry should never touch water, and you should avoid using detergents on it. The best way to clean these pieces are to wipe them clean with a damp cloth and dry immediately with another cloth. This keeps dirt from building up and making your jewelry look dull.
Your belt will get a little pizzazz if you accent it with a brooch like this. Either put it near your hip or near the middle of your waist.
Keep your jewelry unsoiled by only putting it on after all of your makeup has been applied. Makeup will settle into your jewelry making it look dull and dingy. This is extra important when you are cleaning necklaces or earrings.
See if your gem has had any treatments prior to buying, and if so, which treatments. It is important to understand the varying treatment processes because each one requires a specific care regimen. Knowing the proper care techniques for your gemstone will prevent you from accidentally damaging it by stripping it of its protective treatment.
Before buying jewelry or a fine stone, find out if it was treated in any way. If it was, find out how. A treatment will make a difference on how to care for your gemstone. Some cleaning solutions that work perfectly well on untreated gems can strip off treatments, and even damage stones, if you use them on treated gems.
It is possible to remove the knots from jewelry that has become tangled. Don’t give up on getting the knots out, instead get a sheet of plastic wrap. Lay the necklace on the plastic wrap, and then cover it with a thin coat of mineral oil or baby oil. If the jewelry is tangled and knotted, try using needles to unknot the strands. Clean with warm, soapy water and gently pat dry.
If you are in the market for jewelry, always seek out sales. You can save big money with the right sale. Locate the best prices online, in newspapers and in stores. If you wait to buy jewelry until that particular style is going out of fashion, you can get it for almost 50 percent off of its original price.
Buying jewelry sets can be less expensive than purchasing separate pieces of the same value. It is often possible to get a good deal on jewelry sets at a jewelry store. You could always break the sets up and give them as individual gifts. This way, you can ensure that you don’t have to worry about getting a gift at the last minute, and you know that it will match what they already own.
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. Take special care of those valuable pieces of jewelry, and it will pay off in terms of investment and sentimental value. Continue learning about jewelry care, and you’ll never have to retire another piece.
Every necklace, bracelet or anklet can benefit from a quality clasp. 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. You can purchase a safety clasp to secure expensive pieces of jewelry. Adding more than one clasp to a jewelry piece may even be appropriate to provide greater security against loss.