It doesn’t matter whether you are purchasing jewelry for loved ones or yourself. It’s important that you know the proper methods of purchasing, selling, and caring for your jewelry. This article will provide you with tips and tricks to get the most from your jewelry shopping time and efforts.
Be careful when storing all your jewelry together. For best results, separate different pieces into different boxes, compartments or hooks. Throwing the jewelry together into the jewelry box is a no-no. Storing them improperly can damage the fragile pieces, and necklaces can get tangled with other pieces.
Don’t use acetone, ammonia, turpentine, bleach, or other harsh chemicals for cleaning them. Chemicals can eat away the stones or enamel on your stones.
When purchasing sterling silver, take along a good magnifying glass, along with a small magnet. You are able to detect fake pieces of sterling jewelry with a magnet, as non-precious metals are attracted by the magnet. Sterling silver will always be hallmarked with a stamp such as .925, ster. or sterling. If the piece of presumed silver is not marked, be skeptical that is real silver. It could very well be a fake.
You should always store your jewelry very carefully. Consider delegating each piece to its own resting place, utilizing compartmental boxes and storage units. Never simply throw piles of jewelry in a box. Heavy pieces should not be placed in the same compartment with fragile pieces.
When you are shopping for a diamond, make sure to shop around and compare. Start by finding what you like, and then begin comparing it with other pieces. 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.
Sterling Silver
When buying a new piece of jewelry, be sure to check on the current fashion trends. If you look around you may be able to find a great deal!
A magnet is a useful tool when shopping for jewelry in sterling silver. When you do this, you become able to find fake pieces of any type of sterling jewelry. You can use the magnet because non-precious metals actually are attracted by magnets. Sterling silver should always bear a stamp that says Sterling, Ster. or .925. If there is no hallmark, the piece is probably not authentic and may, indeed, be counterfeit.
For jewelry to stay shiny and new-looking, it is important to keep it from tarnishing. Exposure to water can affect the finish, so avoid it. Many metals can become tarnished, rusty or dull when exposed to water too often. Apply clear nail polish to your jewelery as an added protection.
Jewelry should be a purchase that truly lasts a lifetime. When buying jewelry, only buy from dealers with good reputations, so that you don’t buy a piece that seems durable, but really isn’t. You can tell when jewelry is of high quality, due to the excellent craftsmanship. A credible jeweler should offer a complete history of the piece, including information about the creator and the source of the gemstones. If you select high-quality jewelry, it will last you forever.
If you like to buy costume jewelry, make sure that you examine the condition carefully. Costume jewelry can be very expensive and a great investment, but a piece that shows too much wear and tear will not be worth the money or time. Stick to pieces that are in good to excellent condition, as they are the best investments.
Before you buy a new piece of jewelry, look at what the current trends are. One of the few things that can enhance the appeal of a lovely piece of jewelry is knowing that it came at a great discount!
You should wear the jewelry for a few days to see how it feels and if it is comfortable. This will also help you to determine if the piece is sufficiently durable.
Costume Jewelry
When shopping for jewelry, think about the stones in the pieces. Pick out stones that will reflect your personality and complement your skin tone. Neutral colors are versatile enough to wear with any outfit in your closet. Taking these things into account will give you a piece of jewelry you can wear many times and in diverse situations.
As a collector of costume jewelry, you should investigate the condition of the pieces that you want to add to your collection Costume jewelry make good investments and they can be costly, but an item that shows major signs of usage will be a poor investment of your time and money. A piece that is in excellent condition will increase in value.
Before you buy, ask if the gemstone has been treated, and the method for doing so. Gemstone treatment can affect the type of care the piece needs. For example, you would not want to use a jewelry cleaner that is incompatible with a certain type of treatment. Doing so could result in irreversible damages to the color and surface of the stone.
When shopping for jewelry, think about the stones in the pieces. Certain stones will do a better job of complementing your skin tone and your personality than others. If your wardrobe is made up of a wide variety of colors, choose stones of a shade that will match whatever you choose to put on. If it isn’t a functional piece, you will not use it and it is pointless to purchase it.
Have a use in mind for every piece of jewelry you buy. There is no point in filling your jewelery box with things you cannot wear. Think about what type of clothing you will wear with the jewelry before deciding what to buy.
You need to learn the best ways to take care of your jewelry. You should know that different materials require different maintenance. What works well with one type of precious stone may actually harm another. If you are uncertain what the best practice is for caring for a particular piece of jewelry, ask your jeweler.
When photographing jewelry for online sale, you need to make the presentation of the piece as attractive as possible. This is very important since customers cannot handle the jewelry in an online transaction. Make sure the background behind the jewelry in the photograph is bland and boring, so as not to distract the viewer’s attention away from the piece itself.
If you are interested in acquiring new jewelry pieces, try to find great sales. You can save big money with the right sale. Look for great deals in old-fashioned newspapers, on the Internet, and even at retail stores. If you buy fashion items at the end of their season, you can save up to 50%.
The cut of the diamond and its clarity can be more appealing than its size. Also, keep in mind the personality of the person you are giving the diamond to.
When buying diamonds, remember to shop around. Every single diamond is unique and has individual flaws. Some flaws are less noticeable than others and may not bother you. Depending on the number and types of flaws in a diamond, jewelers may be somewhat flexible in pricing the piece. Comparison shop between various jewelers to locate the best diamond in the price range that you can afford.
You need a good clasp for any necklaces and bracelets. You risk losing an expensive or sentimental chain or gemstone pendant if the clasp is too loose. If you have expensive or heirloom items, invest in a safety clasp. Some opt for two or three clasps on their extremely valuable pieces of jewelry so that they stay safe during wear.
The high price of gold can interfere with your fine jewelry purchases. If you simply must have that gold ring, necklace or bracelet, be flexible in terms of karats. For the best compromise between price and quality, consider 18kt gold jewelry which is comprised of 75-percent pure gold.
When shopping for expensive jewelry, choose one that is sure to last for years. A pricey piece is usually of good quality, but don’t overlook the importance of styling. If the piece you are considering is very trendy at the moment, it may be out of fashion in just a few years. Look for pieces that will stand the test of time and trends.
You can earn a little cash from your solid gold necklaces and bracelet without selling them. Just cut off any excess. If you have enough of these pieces, you can clip off so little that people won’t even notice the difference. You could make hundreds by shortening the chains of your necklaces, provided they are made of real gold.
Make heads turn with unique crystal or onyx pieces. Give your wallet a break and look good at the same time.
Mixing gold and silver pieces has become a very popular look for wearing jewelry. To pull this look off most effectively, it’s best that one piece of jewelry contains both metals. You might look mismatched if you do not have this element.
If you wish to sell fine jewelry, try seeing a master gemologist and/or a certified appraiser. By doing this, you’ll receive an accurate, truthful quote on the value of your item. Therefore, you’ll be ready for any offers given on your piece when it is put on the market.
As you approach the very personal decision to invest in jewelry, take special care to make purchases that fall within your current budget. Buying expensive jewelry and incurring debt just so you can wear the jewelry occasionally isn’t a smart financial decision. When just starting out, a young couple might be better served getting a cheaper ring. After they are more financially sound, the ring can always be upgraded.
If you want the effect of a large, dazzling diamond, an illusion setting is a good choice. An illusion setting is created by using a mirrored plate placed on your ring prior to the diamond being set. The mirror makes the diamond look bigger and magnifies the amount of light it reflects. One disadvantage of this setting is the relative difficulty of making repairs.
If you take proper care of your necklaces, rings and other pieces, you can ensure that each item looks brilliant and holds its value through the years. Properly caring for your jewelry is crucial to preserving it and any attached memories. With the vast amount of information available on jewelry, you may never stop learning how to get the most out of the jewelry you own. By continuing to absorb this information, you can care for your jewelry this way.
At this moment of time you may not be able to afford the exact wedding band you have always dreamed of. However, that does not mean that you can’t buy something that suits the budget now and replace it in later years. You can always purchase the ring for a future occasion, such as your anniversary. Ask if your jeweler offers an incentive for future purchases, such as the ability to trade in your original ring for an upgraded one.