Do not let the complex language of jewelery confuse you. Where do you go to learn more about jewelry, which people have loved through the ages? You can start learning right here with these useful tips that will help turn you into an educated jewelry consumer.
Make sure to store your jewelry away from humidity and air. To maximize protection, put your jewelry in a jewelry box or a small drawstring bag. Humidity quickly tarnishes both precious and non-precious metal. Tarnish can be removed from precious metals like gold and silver, but they cannot be removed from other metals.
Try to avoid cleaning it with harsh chemicals like ammonia or turpentine. These chemicals can turn stones dull and even erode the enamel.
If you are in the market to buy some silver jewelry, don’t forget to take a magnet along with you. 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 you cannot find a stamp, you might be looking at a cheap imitation.
Quality jewelry should stay beautiful forever. It is important to invest in a quality piece of jewelry, so only work with respected and reputable jewelers. They should show a lot of craftsmanship, as well as be well-made. The jeweler should tell you about who made the piece and the origin of the stones. It is important that your pieces are high-quality if you want them to last a long time.
When you purchase jewelery ensure you know what you are buying. The three types are imitation, synthetic and natural. Natural and synthetic are both real, while imitation is just basically colored plastic. Natural comes from the ground, while synthetic ones are created in a lab.
Ask the jeweler what type of insurance is available for your purchase. This is to avoid any future complications. If anything were to happen you have yourself covered and to avoid complications with that jeweler in the future, they can replace or fix it for you if you run into problems. There are even some jewelers that will cover the replacement if the piece has been lost or stolen.
Before you think about picking up new jewelry, check into what the latest trends are to get a sense of what’s of value. It is one thing to get a gorgeous bauble, but it is another to get it on sale!
Take the steps to inhibit its tarnishing. For example, avoid taking your jewelry somewhere it can get wet. Lots of jewelry materials are dulled or tarnished by water exposure. A single coat of transparent nail polish may help protect certain types of metal.
Ask about insurance from your jeweler before purchasing a new piece. These policies dictate whether or not the jeweler will replace or fix your item of jewelry if it is damaged. There are even some jewelers that will cover the replacement if the piece has been lost or stolen.
Costume Jewelry
The color gemstones are an important consideration when shopping for new jewelry. Choose stones that complement your complexion and that best reflect your personality. Neutral colored stones go well with many different outfits. It’s a waste of time buying something that you won’t wear regularly.
If you own costume jewelry, it is important to properly care for it. While normally is a beautiful investment, a piece of costume jewelry that is in poor condition is not worth buying. Maintaining a piece of costume jewelry’s condition preserves the beauty and value that attracted you in the first place.
For those creative, quirky people in your life, shop for handcrafted original pieces. This will express the time you spent to get their gift just right, just the kind of sentiment you want to show your special friends.
By wearing a brooch, your belt will be accented and look more interesting. Think about placing it near your hip or at waist level.
Your jewelry will stay cleaner if you wait until after you apply make-up to put it on. Makeup will settle into your jewelry making it look dull and dingy. This is particularly important in the case of necklaces and earrings.
Apply your makeup before putting on your jewelry. 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. It is especially important to follow this tip for necklaces and earrings.
When you list jewelry for sale online, make sure you present it in the best possible way. This is very important since customers cannot handle the jewelry in an online transaction. Photograph jewelry in a setting that concentrates the viewer’s attention solely on the jewelry; avoid distracting backgrounds.
Make sure you look into the history of your gemstone, especially if it was treated at all. Different treatments come with different requirements for cleaning and storage. If you use the wrong cleanser because you are uneducated about the gem, you could strip off the treatment and even damage the stone.
A matched jewelry set is a no-fail gift for any woman on your list. Many jewelry stores offer deals on sets of jewelry. Eventually you can split the set up and give someone just one piece of jewelry when a holiday comes around. This practice will ensure that you have appealing gifts planned out for a long time in the future.
When deciding on which jewelry pieces to buy, look through the sales advertisements. With the right kind of sale, you can save a lot of money. Look for great deals in old-fashioned newspapers, on the Internet, and even at retail stores. If a particular piece was designed to fit a current trend, and that trend is nearing conclusion, then you could make a saving as big as 50%.
Keep your jewelry in place with a strong clasp or closure. You risk losing an expensive or sentimental chain or gemstone pendant if the clasp is too loose. You can have a safety clasp added to any existing piece that may require additional protection. You could even have more than one clasp installed on your most prized items.
If you have tangled necklaces, you can untangle them with ease. While it can be frustrating untangling metal necklaces, consider using plastic wrap. Place the tangled pieces on this plastic with some mineral or baby oil. Do the untangling yourself with a pair of needles. Next, use dish soap to clean the piece. Finish by using a soft cloth to pat it dry.
Do not buy jewelry based solely on the manufacturer or brand name. 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 a number of different brands that manufacture high-quality jewelry.
Make sure you look around for awhile when you decide you want to shop for jewelry. No two diamonds are exactly the same, each will have different flaws. You may not care too much about some flaws if you realize they’re difficult to discern. Also, jewelers can adjust prices based on a specific diamond’s particular condition. If you are working on a budget, shop around to find a diamond that suits both your preferences and your wallet.
If you do decide to purchase an expensive item of jewelry, try to choose a piece that won’t become outdated and can be worn for years ahead. Most expensive pieces are of good quality so you don’t have to worry too much about that. You should keep the style in mind, however. Something that is trendy right now might look ridiculous in a few years. Select a classic piece that never goes out of fashion.
Don’t swim while wearing your jewelry. Chlorine from a pool is a chemical and can tarnish and damage precious jewelry. Likewise, salt water can also damage your jewelry. You can extend the longevity of your pieces and keep their beauty intact by removing them prior to swimming.
The high price of gold can interfere with your fine jewelry purchases. You can save a bit of money on a gold piece by getting lower karats. Buying 18 karat jewelry means you will get a piece that is at least 75% gold. Experts agree that this is the sweet spot on the price-quality curve.
When shopping for expensive jewelry, choose one that is sure to last for years. Although you’ll almost always get high quality when the item is expensive, don’t forget to consider the style as well. Something that is trendy right now might look ridiculous in a few years. Look for pieces that will stand the test of time and trends.
Never pair an ornate jewelry piece with a busy or fussy outfit. Opt instead for a simple, monotone outfit which will showcase your jewelry.
You may not have to sell your gold jewelry to get money out of your necklaces and bracelets. Remove a small amount from the overall length while retaining enough for the piece to still hang properly. The excess you trimmed can then be sold. Ensure that your items are real gold before doing this and, if you have enough, you can acquire a significant amount of cash from a reputable dealer.
To retain the jewelry’s natural look, clean the piece gently using a lightly dampened cloth. Next, use a soft cloth to dry the entire piece. Avoid using steam cleaners or harsh chemicals with fashion or costume jewelry.
Jewelry is a very large topic, and there are a lot of things to know about it. Do your homework, and identifying the best investment pieces of jewelry will be easy. Buying and selling jewelry is fun and exciting! The tips below will help you learn what you need to get started.
A wonderful piece of jewelry is a nice surprise gift to show your loved one how much you appreciate them. A surprise jewelry gift is something practically every woman dreams about. The joy for you will be in watching the amazement show on her face when you give her the box.