Purchasing a pricey piece of jewelry can prove to be stressful. Each piece’s price depends on the materials it is made out of. For example, a perfect diamond set into a pure gold ring will be far more expensive than a fake diamond setting in a gold-tinted ring, made out of cheap metal. An uneducated customer might pay too much. Keep reading to discover useful insight into the most effective way to shop for jewelry.
Do not clean your jewelry with chemicals such as bleach or ammonia. This can cause the stones to lose their luster in addition to eating away the enamel on any of the pieces.
Harsh chemicals and solvents can damage the finish of your jewelry and should never be used to clean it. This can dull your stones and eat away their enamel.
If you want to buy sterling silver pieces, use a magnet and examine the jewelry very carefully. Imitations will be attracted to your magnet. This is an easy way to recognize quality. You will always find a hallmark stamp such as “.925” or “STER.” on genuine sterling, or alternately, it might simply say, “STERLING”. If the piece that you are looking at is not hallmarked, this is usually the sign that it is a fake.
When you go shopping for sterling silver jewelry pieces, take with you a magnet and a monocle. 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. You can identify sterling silver by its markings, for example “sterling,” “ster,” or “.925.” If your silver is not marked, it could be because it is not real!
Know the distinctions between kinds of gems before you make a jewelry purchase. Gemstones now come in natural as well as synthetic and imitation types. Imitation has little value, as it is generally plastic, while synthetic and natural are considered to be real gems. Natural stones are found in the earth and are mined out, while synthetic ones are grown in laboratories.
Most jewelry is intended to last for a life time. Don’t buy jewelry from less than reputable stockists if you expect your pieces to be of the highest quality. High quality jewelry is well-crafted and made of exceptional materials. 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. When you choose a piece of jewelry that is high in quality, it can become a heirloom that will last forever.
Jewelry should last a life-time. When selecting jewelry, a reputable jeweler is indispensable to ensuring you get quality items. Quality jewelry will be constructed to last, and show a fine attention to detail. The jeweler that you purchase the item from should give you the history of the piece, as far as who made it, and, if there are stones on the item, where they came from. When you chose a high-quality piece, you know your jewelry will last forever.
Looking Beautiful
Give the jewelry a test-run by wearing it for a day. Does it feel comfortable and hang properly? This will also let you know how the piece holds up in every day environments.
Keep your jewelry pieces looking beautiful by protecting them from tarnish. One of the best ways to keep your jewelry looking beautiful is to avoid wearing it in water. Exposure can result in tarnishing, rusting or dulling of different metals. A single coat of transparent nail polish may help protect certain types of metal.
Think about how best ways to look after your jewelry. Different styles of jewelry affect the way they need to be cared for; one type of metal will need a different treatment than another, for example. What works for a certain kind of stone may not work for another. Speak with a knowlegeable jeweler if you do not know the best way to take care of your jewels.
You need to pay attention to care and maintenance if you intend to build up a costume jewelry collection. Costume jewelery pieces can be expensive but they are not worth the investment if they look too old. A good piece will give you many years of happiness and even gain value over time.
Costume jewelry has different, specific care requirements. Many of the costume type settings are glued-in, rather than set-in. Keep your costume jewelery away from water or chemicals. For best results, use a warmed, damp cloth to wipe your jewelry and then use another cloth to dry it. This will ensure that your costume jewelry looks perfect.
Think carefully about what stones you want in your jewelry. Try to select stones that are an extension of your individuality and that enhance the tone of your skin. Neutral colored jewelry is nearly always a good buy, because they blend in well with any outfit. Buying something that does not work with multiple outfits is pointless.
Esoteric people like to have handcrafted specialty pieces for presents. A unique piece to match their personality shows thoughtfulness and creativity, which is exactly what you want to express to a person you care enough about to buy jewelry for.
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! Finding something that shows you put thought and effort into the gift is more important the the gift itself, so whether or not what you choose exactly what they wanted, they are sure to be pleased.
The brooch adds a unique touch and a bit of your style to your outfit. Place the brooch close to your hip or in the middle of your waist.
Doing this will not only accentuate your waist, it will also act as the accent piece for your outfit. Pin the brooch on your belt in the center, or offset to one side.
Gems are given chemical treatments in the process of cutting, polishing and setting. When you are thinking of buying, ask what treatment a stone was given. The type of care required will differ depending on the kind of treatment. If you use the wrong cleanser because you are uneducated about the gem, you could strip off the treatment and even damage the stone.
Even knotted necklaces with delicate loops can be untangled. Sometimes you give up on untangling a mess but you can get yourself some plastic wrap before you do give up. Place the tangled pieces on this plastic with some mineral or baby oil. It is possible to untangle very snarled necklaces with a needle. Use a mild liquid soap to remove the oil and then pat dry with a towel.
When deciding on which jewelry pieces to buy, look through the sales advertisements. The best sales can offer deep discounts on premium pieces. Locate the best prices online, in newspapers and in stores. Buying styles that are waning in popularity is often an excellent way to save money on original jewelry.
If you are trying to sell jewelry on the Internet, make sure that you present it in an attractive way. This is extra important because the customer can not handle jewelry with an online transaction. Avoid taking photographs of jewelery with backgrounds that distract from the piece.
Untangle knotted necklaces with delicate loops. Believe it or not, you can use plastic wrap to untangle jewelry. Put the necklace on the plastic wrap and cover it with a little baby oil. Needles can be used to untangle it. Wash them using dish soap, and then pat dry them.
Many times, the cut and clarity of a diamond outshines its actual carat weight. The personal preferences of the individual who will be wearing the diamond are of paramount consideration.
Do not buy a piece of jewelery if you are not sure when you are going to wear it. There is nothing worse than a box full of unloved jewelry. Think of the outfits that you own, and use those to help you choose your jewelry.
Now that you have finished reading, you should be more knowledgeable about many different aspects of jewelry. Keep these tips in mind when at the jewelers to save both time and money.
Inspect the clasps of your necklaces and bracelets. Weak clasps put your expensive pieces of jewelry at risk of loss. A safety clasp should always be used on expensive jewelry. Adding more than one clasp to a jewelry piece may even be appropriate to provide greater security against loss.