
If you want to boost the look of your outfit, you can add color with a little jewelry. Whether you are buying, selling or wanting to maintain your investment, these tips can help you get the most out of your jewelry ventures.
Bring a magnet when shopping for sterling silver jewelery. You can detect fake sterling silver with the magnet, since non-precious metals are drawn to magnets. True sterling silver will also have a mark on it to indicate its quality, such as “0.925” or “ster”. If there is no marking on the piece, it may not be sterling silver.
Try cleaning your jewelry collection with a polishing cloth. This will allow your jewelry to shine without using chemicals. You use the special cloth to polish your jewelry just like you would polish your silverware. Use the polishing side first and, then the other side to make your jewelry shine.
Every piece of jewelry should last you a life-time. To ensure you are buying a quality piece, refuse to deal with anybody but the most reputable of jewelers. A valuable piece of jewelry will be well-made and feature superior craftsmanship. The jeweler will be able to provide a complete history of the piece of jewelry, including who made it, and exactly where the stones originated. It is important that your pieces are high-quality if you want them to last a long time.
Avoid using harmful substances like bleach, ammonia, acetone, turpentine and the like to clean them. This can cause your stones to turn and dull in color, along with eating away any enamel on the pieces.
See what types of earrings they wear, what color, if they wear ankle bracelets, etc. This should give you a grasp of their tastes, and some ideas about what to buy for them.
Store your jewelry carefully. A better idea is to keep the pieces separate by using boxes, hooks, compartments or holders. Jewelry should not be lumped together in a pile. This can harm fragile and fine pieces, along with severely tangling necklaces with other pieces.
If you want to start a costume jewelry collection, it is important to be aware of the pieces’ condition. Costume jewelry can prove to be a good investment, but worn, broken, or otherwise damaged pieces are not worth the expense. An item in good condition holds its value better in the long run.
Precious Metals
Costume jewelry needs to be handled carefully. Many pieces of costume jewelry have the stones glued on, for example. You will need to avoid immersing your jewelry and make sure to stay away from the use of harsh chemicals. 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 keep any costume jewelry that you have looking great.
Some precious metals and gems need to be kept away from moisture and humidity. For maximum protection you can choose to store them inside of a small drawstring or a closed jewelry box. Air and humidity will make the metals in jewelry tarnish. It’s possible to restore precious metals through polishing, but lesser-quality metals may suffer permanent damage.
Your belt will get a little pizzazz if you accent it with a brooch like this. You can add it anywhere on the belt that you think looks good.
A magnet is a useful tool when shopping for jewelry in sterling silver. You can detect fake sterling silver with the magnet, since non-precious metals are drawn to magnets. There should be a stamp hallmarked that says something like .925 sterling or ster, on sterling silver If there is no marking on the piece, it may not be sterling silver.
Before you buy, ask if the gemstone has been treated, and the method for doing so. There are several different types of treatment, and each one needs it’s own type of care. You want to avoid unknowingly cleaning the gem with a chemical or solution that could strip off the protective treatment.
With all of the information you have just learned with regards to jewelry, you can buy and sell your pieces with confidence. The investment that you make now in a quality-piece will be something to be proud of and enjoy for years to come.
Shop the sales to get great jewelry on a budget. Buying at the right moment can mean big savings. Check the newspaper, the Internet, and signs in store windows to find the best sales. Buying styles that are going out of fashion can be a huge money saver, even getting up to 50% off.