How do you feel and think about jewelry? Can you tell the difference between costume jewelry and more valuable pieces? These tips can help you learn about the complexity of jewelry. This article will provide some great tricks for all of your jewelry needs.
Try cleaning your jewelry collection with a polishing cloth. This is a very easy way to make them shine and not have to use any type of chemicals or solvents. You can use the two-sided cloth to polish your jewelry in the same way you would polish a drinking glass. Use the side of the cloth that is designed for polishing to remove fingerprints, dust and other surface imperfections, and then use the opposite side to buff the jewelry and make it gleam.
Know which kind of stone you are buying with your jewelry. There are different types of gems, including imitation, natural and lab produced. Natural and synthetic are both real, while imitation is just basically colored plastic. Natural stones are found underground and synthetic gems are created in a lab.
Make sure you organize your jewelry properly. A better idea is to keep the pieces separate by using boxes, hooks, compartments or holders. Avoid just throwing them into a box in an unorganized manner. This haphazard approach can cause damage to the individual components of fine jewelry, and create a tangled mess.
Compare lots of diamonds before you settle on one to buy. Make a close-range examination of stones you find appealing, and contrast them with other likely purchases. Be aware that some dealers will use cheap tactics to make a diamond look better than it is.
Store your jewelry in a place that is not subjected to humidity extremes or open air. To ensure it is protected, keep your jewelry in a drawstring bag or a jewelry box that is closed. Air and humidity can cause the metals that the jewelry are made of to tarnish. You can restore the precious metals back to their former glory, but plated jewelry is different. Trying to polish those pieces can reveal the non-precious metals underneath, such as copper.
Costume Jewelry
Do some research on the gem in your new piece of jewelry before you buy. There are three different types: natural, synthetic and imitation. Synthetic stones are lab created jewels, while imitation stones are normally colored glass. Natural comes from the ground, while synthetic ones are created in a lab.
Collecting costume jewelry is a popular pastime, but if you wish to participate, be careful of the condition of the jewelry. Costume jewelry can prove to be a good investment, but also a costly one; keep in mind the pieces you wish to add to your collection don’t show too much wear. A piece that is in excellent condition will increase in value.
When shopping for jewelry, think about the stones in the pieces. You should chose stones that reflect your personality, as well as complement your skin tone. Neutral colored stones will work well with any outfit in your closet. It will be of no value to you to purchase jewels that are not easy to incorporate into your lifestyle.
Try out the jewelery by wearing it for a period of time, like a day, so you can see whether it’s uncomfortable or doesn’t hang as well as you hoped. You’ll also be able to get a better idea of the piece’s durability.
You should always make an effort to properly care for all of your jewelry. 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 can’t find information about caring for a specific piece of jewelry, consult a trusted jeweler.
For a gift that is as unique as its recipient, look for handcrafted or customized pieces. You want the piece to match the person; unique people deserve unique jewelry.
If you put on your jewelry only after you have put on your makeup, you will have to clean it less. 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. It is especially important to keep this in mind when putting on earrings and necklaces.
The brooch adds a unique touch and a bit of your style to your outfit. Pin it to the middle of the waist or close to your hip.
Buying jewelry is better if you keep watch for sales. Finding the right sale can save you a lot of money. Go through magazines and websites to find the best deals. Buying styles that are going out of fashion can be a huge money saver, even getting up to 50% off.
See if your gem has had any treatments prior to buying, and if so, which treatments. You will need to know what type of care it might require as a result of the treatment. Knowing the proper care techniques for your gemstone will prevent you from accidentally damaging it by stripping it of its protective treatment.
If you are looking to sell jewelry online, ensure that the photos you use make the piece look attractive. Handling jewelry often helps the customer make up his mind but this is not possible with online transactions. Make sure any photos of the jewelry focus on the item itself and don’t have distracting backgrounds or additional items.
Baby Oil
A small but well-cut diamond with high clarity can look nicer than a bigger diamond of lower quality. The personal preferences of the individual who will be wearing the diamond are of paramount consideration.
Untangle a delicate necklace easily. If you are about to give up, get some baby oil and plastic wrap. Place your jewelry on the plastic wrap and add a little baby oil. You would then untangle the necklace using needles. Then wash off the baby oil or mineral oil with dish soap, and then pat dry.
Comparison shopping is vital to the diamond-buying process. Every diamond is unique, and each will have some flaws. When you see the diamond in person, the flaws, of course, can become much less important. In addition, different stores will price slightly different. The price is often dependent on the imperfections. Don’t just look at one jewelry shop. Take the time to really look around until you find the best deal possible.
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.
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. With a more expensive piece of jewelry, it is a good idea to insist on a safety clasp. Adding more than one clasp to a jewelry piece may even be appropriate to provide greater security against loss.
Take the time to compare your options when shopping for diamonds. Every diamond is unique and has its own set of flaws. Seeing a diamond in person will help you determine whether you can accept a given imperfection. Jewelers have some flexibility with the price depending on the severity of the flaws. Shop around to find a great, high-quality diamond at an affordable price.
Don’t swim wearing your jewelry. Chlorine can damage the life and luster of your jewelry. Over time, saltwater can be as bad. It is advisable to remove all jewelry prior to participating in any water sports to protect and extend the life of your jewelry.
Buying jewelry in sets is worth considering when you want to give that special someone a gift. Most jewelers offer special deals on jewelry when it is bought in sets, rather than each piece individually. You could divide the set up and give one piece as a gift for each holiday throughout the year. It will not only ensure you will always have a gift ready, it will also show the person that you care a lot about them.
If you want gold jewelry, prepare to pay through the nose due to high gold prices. If you must have a gold bracelet or ring, consider looking at a piece with fewer karats in order to spend less money. An 18 karat gold piece is made up of at least 75 percent pure gold, which has been considered the best combination of price and quality.
Any piece of jewelry that wraps around and attaches, such as a necklace or a bracelet, absolutely must have a quality clasp. You risk losing your necklace, and the expensive stones attached to it, if your clasp fails. Anytime you buy an expensive bracelet or necklace it is recommended you request a safety clasp. For added protection, you may choose to use an additional clasp beyond the one you already have.
To keep the setting in good shape, clean it with a cloth that is just a little damp. To dry the piece, use a dry soft cloth. Don’t use any type of chemical or steam on your costume jewelry.
When you set out to buy jewelry, buy a piece because you love it, not because of who makes it. Not may people notice trendy names or brands in jewelry. If the salesperson tries to push a certain brand in you, they probably paid too much for the item as well. You can find excellent quality from many different brands.
If you want to use childhood jewelery, but are concerned about looking childish or old-fashioned, layer items with bigger, contemporary pieces for a modern effect. Add a pendant to your collection and wear it with other necklaces of a similar color.
These days of sky-high gold prices makes buying gold jewelry an expensive proposition. Though genuine gold is pricey, remember that it can be more affordable if you consider pieces with lower karats. Many people believe that 75 percent pure gold is the most ideal ratio of price and quality. This grade is commonly referred to as 18 karats.
Before putting fine jewelry up for sale, get it professionally appraised by a gemologist. This ensures that have an accurate and substantiated claim of the item’s value, which makes it much easier to determine an appropriate selling price.
Make heads turn with unique crystal or onyx pieces. Find ways to economize and you might be pleased with the results.
Before you go shopping for the engagement ring, it is a good idea to have some basic knowledge on the price of diamonds and how much you plan to spend. Shopping for diamonds can elicit many emotions. It is very easy to throw your budget out of the window when you see something extra special.
If you are a jewelry maker and sell it at craft shows and other sales, you may need new ideas for displaying it. When you are making a jewelery piece keep in mind how you will be displaying it. Use your imagination. Many types of craft boxes make excellent display pieces.
Though this is not an ideal cleaner, it will do the job if you have nothing else. Use a soft cloth or a paper towel to apply the toothpaste. Gently rub your jewelry with the toothpaste, and carefully rinse with water. Your finished product will not look flawless, but the tarnish will be removed.
Mixing gold and silver pieces has become a very popular look for wearing jewelry. To do this correctly, you need a piece that combines them both. If you do not do this, the look will appear tacky and not stylish.
Purchasing pre-owned jewelry can save you a great deal of money. Often, used jewelry is just as good as brand new jewelry, but you get a bargain because new decreases in value after being worn just once.
If you want the effect of a large, dazzling diamond, an illusion setting is a good choice. In this effect, a small mirror is put under the diamond before it is set into place. The diamond is then mirrored while on your hand, making it look larger and very sparkly. Repairs can be complicated for this kind of setting, so keep that in mind when making your choice.
Is jewelry from a famous designer’s brand superior? Actually, we advise avoiding these brands. Is the metal in expensive jewelry really better than other brands? Look at designer name jewelry to find out what is going to be popular. Look for a cheaper thing of the same style from a less famous brand.
No matter what your purpose is in reading this article, hopefully we have given you a tip or two to help. Make the most of every jewelry purchase by knowing how to identify a great piece and a great deal. Becoming a jewelry expert takes education about the art, and learning experiences.
Cleaning and proper storage are critical factors in taking care of your jewelry. Prior to jewelry cleaning, check for any loose stones or breaks that could fall out or worsen if they were cleaning. It might even be a good idea to take them to a jewelery store in order to have it cleaned.