Deciding which pieces of jewelry to purchase for yourself or as a gift can be a daunting task. Perhaps it is a loved one you wish to purchase for. For whatever instance you need to cover, the tips held here will assist you.
Try to avoid cleaning it with harsh chemicals like ammonia or turpentine. These chemicals can turn stones dull and even erode the enamel.
Avoid using things like bleach, acetone, ammonia, turpentine, and other related chemicals to clean them with. This can cause your stones to turn and dull in color, along with eating away any enamel on the pieces.
Be sure that you store all of your jewelry safely away from air and humidity. To ensure it is protected, keep your jewelry in a drawstring bag or a jewelry box that is closed. Continued exposure to humidity extremes or air causes metals typically used in jewelry to tarnish. You can restore the precious metals back to their former glory, but plated jewelry is different. Trying to polish those pieces can reveal the non-precious metals underneath, such as copper.
Precious Metals
Take a magnet and a keen eye with you when you head out to purchase any jewelry made from sterling silver. By using the magnet you can quickly determine if the jewelry item is made of a cheaper metal and not sterling silver. Sterling silver should always bear a stamp that says Sterling, Ster. or .925. If the piece that you are looking at is not hallmarked, this is usually the sign that it is a fake.
Always keep your jewelry in a place that doesn’t experience extreme temperatures or humidities. It’s best to store it in a closed box, like a jewelry box, or a drawstring bag. All metals will tarnish if they are subjected to too much air and humidity. Precious metals, through some work and polish, can be restored to their original condition. Non-precious metals are coated, which means that polishing will allow copper metal to come through.
Jewelry should last a life-time. When you are shopping for your next piece, choose a reliable dealer. This can make all the difference in ensuring you get jewelry of the highest quality. High-quality jewelry is durable and displays excellent craftsmanship. A credible jeweler should offer a complete history of the piece, including information about the creator and the source of the gemstones. Choosing a high-quality piece of jewelry is important, so that it will last forever.
If you want to buy sterling silver pieces, use a magnet and examine the jewelry very carefully. Take the magnet with you to find fake pieces of jewelery, sterling silver will not stick to the magnet. You can generally tell genuine sterling silver by its stamp, which will look something like “.925 ster.” If there is no hallmark, the piece is probably not authentic and may, indeed, be counterfeit.
Always shop around when buying a diamond. Make a close-range examination of stones you find appealing, and contrast them with other likely purchases. Be aware that some dealers will use cheap tactics to make a diamond look better than it is.
Keep your jewelry free of tarnish to make it look its best. For example, avoid taking your jewelry somewhere it can get wet. Many types of jewelry become dulled or tarnished when they are exposed to water. Applying a very thin covering of clear nail varnish to your jewelry offers an added degree of protection.
Check out the latest trends in jewelry before you pick up a new piece. Getting a nice piece of jewelry is good, but getting it at a discount is even better.
Consider stones when you are buying jewelry. Any stones that you choose should go with your skin tone and reflect your personality. If you choose a neutral color it will match anything you wear. It’s a waste of time buying something that you won’t wear regularly.
When you purchase jewelry from a jeweler, ask about their insurance policy. Many stores offer a policy where you can bring broken or damaged jewelry back to the original jeweler for repair at little to no cost. You should also think about getting additional insurance in cause of theft or loss.
With all of the information you have just learned with regards to jewelry, you can buy and sell your pieces with confidence. Purchasing a some good quality jewelry is an investment you will appreciate for years to come.
Make careful note of the condition of costume jewelry you wish to collect. While normally is a beautiful investment, a piece of costume jewelry that is in poor condition is not worth buying. Jewelry that’s in good repair can be a much better investment.