How You Can Make The Most Out Of Your Jewelry

Do you ever wake up, look in the mirror, and feel like there’s something wrong? Everything you’re wearing matches, you hair is nicely styled, and you’ve even got two shoes on your feet, but it just feels like you’re lacking that finishing touch. The answer is always jewelry. An outfit can really come together with the addition of a simple jewelry piece.

Do not clean your jewelry with chemicals such as bleach or ammonia. Harsh chemicals will dull your stones and dissolve the enamel on your jewelry.

TIP! Harsh chemicals and solvents can damage the finish of your jewelry and should never be used to clean it. Doing so can damage the shine and luster of the stones on your favorite pieces.

If you are shopping for sterling silver jewelry, you’ll need a magnet and an eye for the real thing. Imitations will be attracted to your magnet. This is an easy way to recognize quality. True sterling sliver always has some sort of hallmark stamp on it, such as .925, sterling or ster. If the piece that you are looking at is not hallmarked, this is usually the sign that it is a fake.

To distinguish between real and fake, bring a magnet when you shop for sterling silver jewelry. Precious metals, like sterling silver, will not be attracted to the magnet. Sterling silver should always bear a stamp that says Sterling, Ster. or .925. If your silver is not marked, it could be because it is not real!

TIP! When shopping for genuine sterling silver jewelry, you need both a discerning eye and a small magnet. Imitations will be attracted to your magnet.

Always compare prices before purchasing any diamonds. Take a very close look at the piece you like, and then make the comparison to any others on your favorites list. You must be a sharp consumer to avoid tricks that might make a diamond look better than it really is.

Always shop around when buying a diamond. See what you like up close, and then compare it to other pieces that you look at. Don’t fall for any of the tricks used by shady dealers. They employ these tactics to make a diamond look better than it really is.

TIP! Have shopping companions when you shop for diamonds. Take a look at the diamonds up close, then put it next to other pieces you are interested in.

Study current jewelry trends prior to shopping for a piece. Getting a beautiful piece is fantastic; but it’s even better when it’s on sale!

It’s great that you love costume jewelry, but make sure you evaluate the condition of any piece you plan to buy. Quality costume jewelry may cost more, but a cheaply made piece will fall apart and will quickly become unusable. An item in good condition holds its value better in the long run.

TIP! If you like to buy costume jewelry, make sure that you examine the condition carefully. Costume jewelry can prove to be a good investment, but worn, broken, or otherwise damaged pieces are not worth the expense.

If you want to maintain the look of your jewelry, you should prevent it from becoming tarnished. If possible, remove your jewelry if you are around water. Metals will often tarnish or rust when in contact with water. Clear nail polish can be used to protect your jewelry if you apply a very thin coat of it on your pieces.

Costume jewelry needs to be handled and stored delicately. Many costume jewelry pieces are glued rather than set. You want to avoid using strong chemicals or immersion baths on your costume jewelry. 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.

TIP! Take good care of your costume jewelry. Many of the costume type settings are glued-in, rather than set-in.

Costume Jewelry

If you’re shopping for an individual who likes unique pieces of jewelry, you should consider purchasing an item that is made specifically for this person. Pieces that match their personality will highlight your thoughtfulness and creativity, especially since you care for them enough to purchase jewelry for them.

TIP! If you are getting jewelry for someone you consider to be one-of-a-kind, think about buying a piece that’s the same: unique and specially-crafted. You want the piece to match the person; unique people deserve unique jewelry.

Costume jewelry does require some special care. Many costume jewelry pieces are glued rather than set. Don’t let them go under water or clean them with strong chemicals, or you could dissolve the glue. The best way to maintain your costume jewelry is to use a moist, warm cloth first, then dry it off with another cloth. This helps keep costume jewelry looking sparkling clean and new.

Brand name should not be the primary concern when buying jewelry. It will be difficult for others to tell where you purchased an item, and if you’re only buying something because of the name, it could very well be overpriced. There are excellent quality jewelry pieces from various brands.

TIP! Buying jewelry just because it is a name brand is not a good idea. Most people won’t know where you got the piece, and you will probably pay too much because of the name on it.

To keep your jewelry looking clean, only put it on after your make-up is applied and set. Your jewelry attracts dust and particles from cosmetics; if you apply makeup after you put on your jewelry, the particles will make it look dull. This applies to necklaces and earrings more than anything else.

If you’re going to wear gaudy jewelry, don’t wear a gaudy outfit to match. Try wearing a simple black dress for a gorgeous and classy outfit.

TIP! Pair large and ornate jewelry pieces with simple outfits. Wear solid colors to bring attention to a fabulous item of jewelry.

Before you buy any item of jewelry, have a think about what your long term plans are for it. You want to ensure that you purchase a piece of jewelry that you will actually wear. As you shop for jewelry, try to envision whether you can see yourself wearing a piece with your current wardrobe.

When you make jewelry to sell at flea markets, craft sales and holiday sales, you may be at a loss for ways to display it beautifully. Consider the look of your displays when shopping for materials to use in your jewelry creations. All kinds of racks, baskets, cigar-boxes and even oddball things like wig stands can be transformed into jewelry display cases with just a little creativity!

TIP! It may be tough to figure out how to best present jewelry that you are selling at informal events like craft fairs and flea markets. Use the same creativity you employ on your jewelry to come up with notable, memorable displays for it.

Beautiful jewelry is one of the best ways to give that finishing touch to your outfit. There are many types and styles of pieces that can make you appear fun, classy, or professional. When you’re ready to step out, adorn yourself with some jewelry to make sure you look your best.

A beautiful, but quite often overlooked gemstone, is Alexandrite. One of the great aspects of this stone is its color-changing ability, depending on whether you are indoors or outdoors. Alexandrite is often set in earrings, rings, or pendants.

TIP! One often overlooked stone in jewelry is Alexandrite. This stone changes color depending on the lighting, and it ranges from a lovely purple to a rich green.