Giving jewelry is a wonderful way in which you can express your most precious emotions. No matter the size of the piece, there is nothing more exciting than receiving a piece of jewelry. Read this article to learn some tips about jewelry; whether it be your own or a gift to someone else.
Don’t use acetone, bleach, ammonia or turpentine to clean copper. Doing so can destroy enamel finishes, while clouding stones and crystals.
Try using a polishing cloth on all of the jewelry in a collection. This is an easy way to get shine without chemicals and solvents. Use the two-sided cloth to polish your jewelry as if you were cleaning glass. First you should use the polish side, then use the shining side to really make your jewelry look stunning!
You should always store your jewelry very carefully. Keep pieces separately by using compartments, boxes, hooks and holders. 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.
Steer clear of ammonia, bleach or other strong chemical solvents when you need to clean these items. These chemicals can wreak havoc on your jewelry, from discoloring bands, to dulling stones, to eroding enamel or glue.
Make sure you know what kind of gem you are getting when you are buying jewelry. A stone may be natural, synthetic or imitation. You have to know that imitation refers to colored plastic. Natural gems are dug up from the ground, and synthetic gems are man-made in a lab.
Precious Metals
When you buy jewelry, it should last the rest of your life. Get jewelry from a jeweler with a good reputation to be sure that it’s of high-quality. A valuable piece of jewelry will be well-made and feature superior craftsmanship. Ask the jeweler about the history behind the piece and learn more about who made it, as well as the origin of the materials. You need to buy quality jewelry so that you can pass it down as an heirloom.
Your jewlery needs to be kept in a place where it is protected from air and humidity. To protect your jewelry it is important to secure it in a small bag with a drawstring, or in a jewelry box that remains closed a majority of the time. Humid air affects the metals in jewelry and causes tarnishing. Polishing will work to restore the color and shine for precious metals, but with non-precious metals, polishing will not help the change in color.
Comparison shopping is a must when shopping for diamonds. Always see the piece up close, and compare it critically to any others you’re considering. You must be a sharp consumer to avoid tricks that might make a diamond look better than it really is.
Having a good eye to catch the details, and a magnet, are key when you are considering the purchase of any type of sterling silver jewelry. If the piece you are examining is not silver and is made from non-precious metal, it will be attracted to the magnet. Sterling silver will always be hallmarked with a stamp such as .925, ster. or sterling. If you don’t see a stamp of any sort on a piece, then be wary of whether it is actually silver or not.
Always check with your jeweler about insurance policy options before buying anything. If something happened to your jewelery, you can take it back and see if they will fix it! In some cases, insurance policies will cover lost, misplaced or stolen pieces.
Know which kind of stone you are buying with your jewelry. There are basically three distinct types: natural gems, synthetic gems and imitation stones. Natural stones and synthetic gems are both real, but imitation gems are probably just colored glass or plastic. Natural gems are dug up from the ground, and synthetic gems are man-made in a lab.
For a gift that is as unique as its recipient, look for handcrafted or customized pieces. A unique piece like this that matches their personality appears creative and thoughtful, and it shows them that you care about them enough to buy them something that they’ll wear.
Quality Jewelry
You should always know what you plan on doing with jewelry when purchasing it. A big supply of jewelry that you never wear is of little use to you. Think about what type of clothing you will wear with the jewelry before deciding what to buy.
Your jewelry should endure an entire lifetime. When choosing your next piece of jewelry, be sure to deal with a reputable dealer to ensure you attain a high-quality piece. High quality jewelry is well-crafted and made of exceptional materials. The jeweler ought to know the history of the piece, such as its manufacturer and the source of the gemstones. You’ll create an heirloom tomorrow if you choose high-quality jewelry today.
When you are shopping for gifts, why not consider a jewelry set? It is usually quite easy to find a jewelry set at a reasonable price, especially during the holidays. You can divide up the set into individual pieces and give them out one at a time. This is an excellent way to give something every holiday season without having to worry that you will forget.
When shopping for diamonds, it’s best to comparison shop. Take a good look at all the pieces that you like, examining them and comparing them to each other. Be careful of tricks that jewelers use to make a diamond look bigger or better.
Never rely on brand names to determine the true value of a piece of jewelry. The brand may be a significant factor in the price. Usually, brand names like Cartier and Tiffany are much more expensive than jewelry without the brand name for the same piece. You can find excellent quality from many different brands.
Notice what type of earrings they are wearing, including the shape and metal. This should give you a grasp of their tastes, and some ideas about what to buy for them.
You can make money from any gold bracelets and necklaces you have, without having to sell your entire pieces. Carefully remove an inch or two from the piece, then sell that section. Just be sure to leave enough length so that you can continue to wear it. By clipping a little off of several chains you can make several hundred dollars.
A brooch is a great accent for your belt, adding eye-catching interest. To add a twist to tradition, place the brooch at your hip.
Telling the difference between natural rubies and sapphires and synthetic ones is not an easy task. Both are beautiful and share physical properties, but created stones sell at an enormous discount over the cost of flawless mined stones. Before buying natural sapphire, have a gemologist to view its natural inclusions.
Before you purchase a new piece of jewelry, consider what situations you will be wearing it in. A big supply of jewelry that you never wear is of little use to you. Think of the outfits that you own, and use those to help you choose your jewelry.
Alexandrite is a pretty gemstone that is used in jewelry, but is rarely spoken of or advertised. It displays a spectrum of color, from green to purple, depending on whether you are outdoors or indoors. It is often found in earrings, rings, and pendants.
As you can see, jewelry makes a great gift for many different occasions. Even smaller, delicate pieces make special gifts that touch the recipient. You will be a jewelry expert if you can make meaningful gifts and also take good care of your jewelry. Nevertheless, the pleasure that you receive from jewelry will increase tenfold when you follow the advice above.
Before you sell an expensive piece of jewelry, take it to a qualified appraiser or gemologist in your area. You will get the most accurate quote this way, and it will help you figure out the price you want once you put it up for sale.