It can be great fun to go jewelry shopping, but the price tags can be stressful. There are many different types of materials used to make jewelry, and they are all worth varying amounts of money. Buyers who have not educated themselves about jewelry may end up paying too much money for what they get. Read this article for wise tips for making your next purchase in the jewelry department.
When you go shopping for sterling silver jewelry pieces, take with you a magnet and a monocle. By using the magnet you can quickly determine if the jewelry item is made of a cheaper metal and not sterling silver. You can identify sterling silver by its markings, for example “sterling,” “ster,” or “.925.” If you don’t see a stamp of any sort on a piece, then be wary of whether it is actually silver or not.
If you are looking to purchase sterling silver jewelry make sure that you have a magnet with you and a good eye. If an item of jewelry is attracted by a magnet, it is not sterling silver! Only non-precious metals can be drawn to a magnet. Sterling silver always has some sort of stamp to indicate it is sterling. If the piece you’re inspecting doesn’t carry such a mark, be careful, as it is likely a fake.
Find out more about the gems you look at. Ask about where they came from and to which category they belong. The types of gems available are synthetic, imitation and natural. You have to know that imitation refers to colored plastic. The difference here, however, is that synthetic is man-made in a laboratory while natural is found buried in the earth.
Always compare prices before purchasing any diamonds. Look at what you like close up, and compare them to other pieces you have seen. Some diamond sellers use misleading practices to try to increase the apparent quality of their merchandise, so you should be wary of these tactics.
Jewelry is an investment that should last forever. Choose reputable jewelry dealers when considering your next jewelry purchase. Any piece that is high quality will have its craftsmanship and quality shining through. 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 need to buy quality jewelry so that you can pass it down as an heirloom.
Before you buy a new piece of jewelry, research the latest trends. One of the few things that can enhance the appeal of a lovely piece of jewelry is knowing that it came at a great discount!
When shopping for diamonds, it’s best to comparison shop. Find a few reference pieces that you like, and see if other diamonds can do better. You must be a sharp consumer to avoid tricks that might make a diamond look better than it really is.
Put the jewelry on and wear it for a bit so you can describe the comfort and fit. In this way, you will be able to tell if the item will withstand normal wear.
Do they prefer to wear over-sized pieces or more delicate styles? Yellow gold or silver? Doing so can help to find the most special piece for the recipient.
Costume Jewelry
Before buying a new item of jewelry, do a little research on recent trends. The only thing that can make picking out a fantastic piece of jewelry better is if you get it at a discount.
Costume jewelry needs special care. Costume jewelry is often put together using glue and other adhesives, unlike stoned that are set using metal. For this reason, costume jewelry should never touch water, and you should avoid using detergents on it. Use a damp cloth, then dry it with another clean, dry cloth. This keeps dirt from building up and making your jewelry look dull.
Prevent your jewelry from tarnishing so that it keeps looking great. One of the best ways to keep your jewelry looking beautiful is to avoid wearing it in water. Water exposure can cause different metals to become tarnished, dull or rusted. You can give your jewelry an additional layer of protection by applying a thin coat of clear nail polish to it.
When you are buying jewelery, make sure you know what you are going to use it for. What’s the fun in buying jewelry you never actually wear? Try to match the jewelry that you purchase with your style of clothing.
You need to pay attention to care and maintenance if you intend to build up a costume jewelry collection. If you do not maintain the piece, it will depreciate in value. Pieces that are in great shape will fetch you better prices down the road, should you choose to sell them.
If you are selling your jewelry online, make sure it is presented attractively. As the potential buyer cannot physically touch the piece, this is important so that the jewelry is presented in its best light. Make sure any photos of the jewelry focus on the item itself and don’t have distracting backgrounds or additional items.
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. Purchasing a unique piece that matches his or her personality demonstrates how thoughtful and creative you are. This is what you should be expressing to someone you love enough to purchase jewelry for.
Take the time to compare your options when shopping for diamonds. Every diamond is unique and has its own flaws. Some flaws are less noticeable than others and may not bother you. Also, each jeweler can price point a little bit differently based on the flaws. It will pay to shop different jewelers while looking for the best diamond in your price range.
When photographing jewelry for online sale, you need to make the presentation of the piece as attractive as possible. This is extra important because the customer can not handle jewelry with an online transaction. It is essential that the jewelry be placed on a background that does not draw the attention away from the piece.
You should never wear your jewelry while swimming. The chlorine in pool water is very harsh and may cause your fine jewelry to appear dull. Even ocean swimming is not good for jewelry. The salt is damaging. Take off your jewelry before diving in the water to keep them looking their best.
This applies to dry and steam-filled saunas. The moisture and high temperatures in saunas can do real damage to your jewelry.
Try using robe hooks for storing your necklaces in a tangle-free way. Put these small hooks along a bedroom wall or even on a closet door to organize and hang your necklaces from. This will avoid ever having to untangle balls of necklaces in your jewelry box again. Also, the necklaces will look nice hanging up.
Before you purchase a diamond ring, necklace or bracelet, shop around and compare your options. No diamond is without its flaws, and every piece is unique. Some flaws may be less important to you once you actually see it in person. Furthermore, jewelers may be willing to extend a discount to compensate for certain types of flaws. While shopping, first determine your budget and then locate the best diamond you can find that fits in that price range.
Don’t focus on brand when buying a piece of jewelry. Very few people will recognize where you got this piece, and if a seller can have you buy something because of the brand, you are probably paying too much for it. Excellent quality can be found from a lot of different jewelry brands.
Buying jewelry in sets is worth considering when you want to give that special someone a gift. You can often get a better price if you buy an entire set. There is nothing stopping you from splitting a set after buying it; you can use a set for a series of gifts over multiple holidays, for example. It is a great way to make sure that you always have a present for someone and that it is something they will love.
Whether it is a ring, watch or a beautiful new bracelet, you can use the advice in the article above to buy your next piece of jewelry with confidence. You will be able to use these tips to save a good amount of time as well as money.
There are a few easy ways to benefit financially from your valuable jewelry without relinquishing it. Cut off some of the excess, making certain that it still fits, and you will have something to sell and still be able to use the jewelry as well. With real gold necklaces and bracelets, you can pull in hundreds by just clipping off parts that no one notices anyway.