The world of jewelry is full of opportunity. The many different materials used in jewelry making can greatly influence the price of a piece. If you are not educated in this area, you might end up overpaying for jewelery. Read this article to get a better idea of what to buy, and what to pay for it.
Don’t use acetone, ammonia, turpentine, bleach, or other harsh chemicals for cleaning them. This can cause the stones to lose their luster in addition to eating away the enamel on any of the pieces.
Do not use any chemicals on your jewelery stones. Natural acids won’t erode the enamel on your copper jewelry the way harsh chemicals can.
Separate your jewelry for storage to avoid getting pieces tangled. Precious metals and certain gemstones will tarnish if they are exposed to humidity, so keep the away from this. Avoid just throwing them into a box in an unorganized manner. This does damage to jewelry pieces, which are often fragile. Necklaces lumped together can get tangled up into a knotted ball.
Sterling Silver
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. Both air and humidity can lead to tarnished metal. While precious metals can be polished back to their original luster, non-precious metals are only coated in which case polishing causes the copper metal underneath to show through.
To distinguish between real and fake, bring a magnet when you shop for sterling silver jewelry. Metals that aren’t precious will connect to the magnet, signaling that it is fake. Sterling silver should always bear a stamp that says 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.
Pay attention to the types, sizes, and colors of jewelry that the person wears. This should give you a grasp of their tastes, and some ideas about what to buy for them.
Knowing what type of jewel you are buying when you purchase jewelry is very important. Natural gems and imitation gems have been joined recently by synthetic gems, making three main categories. While natural and synthetic stones are the real deal, imitation stones are made to look like a real gemstone, but could be anything from colored glass to plastic. Natural stones are dug up out of the ground and synthetic ones are grown in a lab.
Before adding a piece of jewelry to your collection, research current trends. You will enjoy your jewelery even more if you can get it on sale.
Before purchasing a piece of jewelry, be sure to ask the jeweler about insurance policies. Then, you will have peace of mind knowing it can be fixed or replaced if anything happens. Some jewelers even offer insurance for jewelry pieces that have been misplaced or stolen.
Prevent your jewelry from tarnishing so that it keeps looking great. Remove your jewelry if you plan on spending time in or near water. Many types of metal will become dulled, tarnished, or rusty when exposed to it. To give jewelry an added layer of protection apply a thin layer of clear nail lacquer.
Find out if your gemstone was treated before you buy it and if it was, how it was treated. You have to select the type of care for your jewelry depending on its treatment. You don’t want to clean them with a type of solution that could strip the treatment or damage the gem.
Give the jewelry a test-run by wearing it for a day. Does it feel comfortable and hang properly? Doing this also helps you see if the jewelery is long lasting or likely to break easily.
If you are interested in acquiring new jewelry pieces, try to find great sales. You can save big money with the right sale. Use the resources at your disposal like the Internet, newspapers, and even window shopping to find the best sales. Sometimes, buying fashion styles that are on their way out can save you almost half of the original price.
Do some research on the best way to clean your particular piece of jewelry. Metals, gemstones and settings all have different storage and cleaning requirements. A jewelry cleaner that is safe for one type of gemstone may damage another kind. It’s best to speak with a jeweler before you attempt to care of an unfamiliar piece of jewelry.
Have definite plans for the jewelry you purchase. There is no point continually buying jewelry if you never wear it. Think about your most-worn wardrobe pieces when choosing jewelry.
You need to take special care of costume jewelry. Many costume jewelry pieces are glued rather than set. Costume jewelry should never be immersed or make contact with harsh chemicals. The best way to clean these pieces are to wipe them clean with a damp cloth and dry immediately with another cloth. This will help your costume jewelry to continue looking great.
When selling jewelry via the Internet, be sure to develop attractive and persuasive imagery of the pieces. A nice photo and description is essential since your online customer will not be able to see the piece in person. Take photos that clearly focus on the jewelry, without a distracting background.
If the person you are shopping for is a unique individual, consider choosing a one-of-a-kind piece crafted specifically for them. 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.
That includes dry or steam saunas. This is because the extreme heat and moisture can cause serious problems to the piece.
Putting on jewelry only after you have put on makeup and fixed your hair will keep it from being exposed to chemicals that could tarnish it. The dust, oils and particles from makeup rub off on jewelry; putting on jewels first means they will get dingy and dull with a film of makeup over them. This is particularly important with necklaces and earrings.
Take the time to shop at several different stores, both online and offline, when considering a diamond jewelry purchase. No two diamonds are exactly the same, each will have different flaws. When you personally see the stone, some flaws can be less important. When it comes to flaws, each jeweler prices diamonds a bit differently. Don’t just look at one jewelry shop. Take the time to really look around until you find the best deal possible.
Be careful when untangling your delicate necklaces. While it can be frustrating untangling metal necklaces, consider using plastic wrap. Put the chain on the wrap, then pour on a bit of mineral oil or baby oil. You would then untangle the necklace using needles. Use a mild liquid soap to remove the oil and then pat dry with a towel.
A good clasp is important for any form of bracelet or necklace. If a clasp is not solid, you might end up losing your jewelry. If you have expensive or heirloom items, invest in a safety clasp. There are those that use two or three clasps to keep their jewelry safe while they wear it.
Think about the outfits you will wear it with when you buy a piece of jewelry. A large jewelry box full of items you never use isn’t a wise investment. When you are picking the jewelry out, think about the clothes you will be wearing.
After reading this article, you should have acquired some new advice to utilize when you are next in the market for rings, necklaces, bracelets, cuff links, watches or any other piece of jewelry. Not only are you going to save yourself some time, but you also are going to save quite a few dollars by following the tips and tricks in this article.
More desirable than a big piece is the cut and clarity of the diamond. Also, remember the person’s personality who will be receiving the diamond.