Have you been wanting accessorize your clothes and give your style a much needed boost of color by selecting the perfect piece of jewelry? Maybe you just need a nice gift for a friend. By following the advice in this article you can feel confident on whatever selection you make.
If you are shopping unmarked sterling silver jewelry, then by all means bring a magnet. 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. Another way to tell if a metal is sterling silver is to check for a hallmark stamp, for example .sterling, .ster, or .925. If you don’t see such a mark, you might want to reconsider the purchase. This is usually an indication that the piece is fake.
Try using a polishing cloth on all of the jewelry in a collection. This will allow your jewelry to shine without using chemicals. Polish your jewelry with a two-sided polishing cloth as you might buff a lovely glass. Use the side that is designated for polish, and the other to make it shine.
When you are shopping for a diamond, make sure to shop around and compare. View the piece you are currently considering closely and then compare it against some other pieces that are in the running. Beware, there are many tricks to enhance the look of a sub-par diamond.
Don’t clean your jewelry in harsh household chemicals like ammonia, bleach or turpentine. This will result in damage to both the stones and the metal of the piece.
When you buy a piece of jewelery, inquire about the jeweler’s insurance policy. If you can get insurance, you know that you will be covered if something happens to your jewelry. In some instances, you can even insure your jewelry against loss or theft.
Sterling Silver
If you are wanting to collect costume jewelry, you should ensure you are aware of its condition. Well-done costume jewelry is often worth the price, but if it’s worn out or visibly damaged, it won’t be worth the effort it takes to restore it. Costume pieces kept in great condition will enhance your collection much more over time.
Arm yourself with a magnet and a magnifying glass when shopping for sterling silver jewelry. Use the magnet to detect fake jewelry; real silver will not be attracted to the magnet, but the cheaper metals will. Another way to tell if a metal is sterling silver is to check for a hallmark stamp, 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.
Take careful consideration when thinking of how you want to care for the jewelry you purchase. There’s an ideal way to clean every different type of setting and stone. A technique that is effective for one type of stone or metal may actually cause damage to another. For the best information on how to look after your jewelry, you should talk to a jeweler.
Make sure you take precautions to stop your jewelery from losing its shine. Exposure to water can affect the finish, so avoid it. 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.
Costume jewelry requires specific care. That’s because a lot of the costume settings are not set-in; they have usually been glued. For this reason, costume jewelry should never touch water, and you should avoid using detergents on it. The most effective way to safely clean them is wiping with a damp cloth, then drying with a different, soft cloth. This will keep any costume jewelry that you have looking great.
When collecting costume jewelry, pay close attention to the condition of any piece you are considering. Even though it is not as expensive as its precious counterpart, costume jewelry represents a significant investment, one that can be lost if the pieces are allowed to get worn and broken. You’ll get more return on your investment later if you buy costume jewelry in good condition.
When you are buying jewelery for someone who is very different or eccentric, try going to a jeweler that will make you a piece that will fit their personality and add to their flair! Giving a gift that requires thought and creativity will make it even more special.
Think about what stones you would want before you purchase a new piece of jewelry. Choose stones that complement your complexion and that best reflect your personality. 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.
Before you buy a gemstone, it is important that you learn about the treatment process it underwent. You will need to know what type of care it might require as a result of the treatment. If your gem was treated you have to find out how to clean it properly.
Consider how you should best clean each piece of your jewelry. Different cleaning techniques are required for different types of jewelry. What works for one piece of jewelry could dull or damage another. Go ahead and ask a professional jeweler to find out exactly how you should be caring for your jewels.
It is easy to find jewelry on sale. The right sale can save you a ton of money. Check for great sales online, in the newspaper, and even storefront windows. Buying styles that are going out of fashion can be a huge money saver, even getting up to 50% off.
If your “giftee” is a unique person, try finding a special piece that is crafted specifically for them. If you buy something that will go along with their personality it will show them you thought about them!
When you want to sell jewelry on the Internet, you should try to show it off in an attractive way. Handling jewelry often helps the customer make up his mind but this is not possible with online transactions. Take photos of your jewelry in a place where the focus is on the piece instead of the background.
Before you buy a gemstone, it is important that you learn about the treatment process it underwent. Gemstone treatment can affect the type of care the piece needs. 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.
You can have a more beautiful diamond if it is cut correctly, as opposed to a diamond of a bigger size. The personal preferences of the individual who will be wearing the diamond are of paramount consideration.
It is critical that the photos and descriptions you use to sell jewelry online are attractive and high-quality. This is extra important because the customer can not handle jewelry with an online transaction. Take your jewelry photographs in a manner that focuses only on the piece, not anything in the background, and keep the background very plain.
This means steam saunas and dry saunas. Many pieces can be seriously damaged by extreme temperatures and moisture levels.
Always remove your jewelry before swimming. The chlorine in swimming pools can ruin a piece of jewelry. Ocean salt water can similarly cause damage to any jewelry exposed to it. To safeguard your valuable jewelry, set it aside in a safe place before you go in for a swim.
Do not swim while wearing jewelry. The chlorine in pool water will corrode your jewelry and remove its shine. Over time, salt water is just as harmful to your jewelry. Take off your jewelry before swimming to ensure that it lasts as long as possible before you have to replace it.
Avoid the debacle of twisted and tangled necklaces by utilizing decorative hooks like those used for hanging robes. The small hooks can be hung just about anywhere and will allow you to neatly organize and display your necklaces. Hanging your necklaces will keep them looking nice, keep them from becoming tangled together and can work as a beautiful display as well.
Necklaces often get tangled, so consider buying stylish robe hooks with embellishments to hang them and keep them untangled. Install a series of hooks on a piece of furniture, a door or a wall and arrange your necklaces artfully. This little display looks appealing and keeps chains from tangling at the same time.
You can make money with your gold bracelets and necklaces. The best part, though, is you still get to keep the pieces. Cut off a bit of excess chain to sell, while keeping enough to wear. By clipping a little off of several chains you can make several hundred dollars.
If you are ready to spend a lot of money on a piece of jewelry, make sure it is something that will be with you for years to come. While expensive normally equates to great quality, bear in mind that styles will change in the future. Something that is cool and trendy now might not look so stylish in a couple of years. Look for pieces that have a timeless character.
With the advice you’ve learned here, you should be better prepared to select, appraise and care for any kind of jewelry. The investment that you make now in a quality-piece will be something to be proud of and enjoy for years to come.
If you own gold, whether it’s in the form of bracelets or necklaces, you can keep your pieces and still make money from them. Just clip off a few inches of excess and you can sell it while still actually keeping a full piece to wear. If what you have truly is real god then with just a few chains the potential to make money is there. You can actually make around a few hundred when you shorten these type of pieces.