Because jewelry is personal, it’s prized as a token of love, pride and accomplishment. Regardless of the size, style, or value of the piece of jewelry, it will always be appreciated and treasured. Read on to learn some tips on picking jewelry for yourself, or as a present for friends and family.
Be cautious of the way all of your personal jewelry gets stored together. You can protect your jeweled investments with hooks, boxes and holders that keep each piece intact and prevent tangles. Do not ever just throw them in a pile. This can hurt very fragile jewelry, and tangle necklaces or bracelets.
Keep your whole jewelry collection sparkling with a polishing cloth. In this way, you will not have to deal with chemicals or solvents while you achieve the shine you love. Just polish each piece with the special cloth in the same way you would polish a piece of glass. Use the polishing side first and, then the other side to make your jewelry shine.
Keep your jewelry in a relatively air-tight container, and minimize its exposure to humidity. A box designed especially for jewelry gives the best protection, but a cloth bag can also work. Humid air affects the metals in jewelry and causes tarnishing. Precious metals are able to be polished and retain their luster, but the non-precious metals have a coat, and polishing will cause the metal under it to show through.
For those creative, quirky people in your life, shop for handcrafted original pieces. If you buy something that will go along with their personality it will show them you thought about them!
Take a magnet and a keen eye with you when you head out to purchase any jewelry made from sterling silver. Use the magnet to detect fake jewelry; real silver will not be attracted to the magnet, but the cheaper metals will. Also, look to make sure that silver is hallmarked and stamped with .925, sterling or ster. If there is no marking on the piece, it may not be sterling silver.
Having an ornate piece at your waist will naturally draw eyes by adding interest. Either put it near your hip or near the middle of your waist.
Knowing what type of jewel you are buying when you purchase jewelry is very important. Gemstones now come in natural as well as synthetic and imitation types. Natural gems and synthetic gems are real gemstones, whereas imitation is just an item of plastic with gemstone colors. A natural stone is mined from the earth, and a synthetic is a lab-created gem.
To preserve the pristine look of your jewelry, apply your make-up first, wait for it to set, then put on your jewelry. Jewelry will get grimy from the makeup as you apply it, attracting dirt that will make it look dull. It is especially important to keep this in mind when putting on earrings and necklaces.
Have shopping companions when you shop for diamonds. See what you like up close, and then compare it to other pieces that you look at. Look out for tricks that make the diamond look better than it is.
See if your gem has had any treatments prior to buying, and if so, which treatments. Depending on the type of treatment used, the piece will require varying types of care. For example, you should avoid cleaning a gem that has been treated with a certain solution that could peel off the treatment because this could harm the gem.
Costume jewelry needs special care. Many of their settings are glued instead of 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 ensure that your costume jewelry looks perfect.
Buying jewelry is better if you keep watch for sales. You could save a lot of money if you take the time to look for better prices. Check ads in the newspaper, on the Internet, and in stores for the best deals. Buying styles that are waning in popularity is often an excellent way to save money on original jewelry.
Many people find it hard to shop for unique individuals. The trick is picking something unique for them, maybe something made just for them. A one-of-a-kind jewelry piece is a great way to show someone how much they mean to you.
Plastic Wrap
By wearing a brooch, your belt will be accented and look more interesting. Think about placing it near your hip or at waist level.
Learn how to unravel a knotted necklace, even one with delicate loops. If you are about to give up, get some baby oil and plastic wrap. Put the necklace on the plastic wrap and cover it with a little baby oil. Untangle it with some needles. When your necklaces are straight, use dish soap to wash the oil off and pat them dry.
Selling jewelry online requires you to capture stunning images of the piece. This is quite key since your customer can not physically see and feel the jewelry when purchasing it online. Make sure that the pictures focus specifically on the piece of jewelry with a background that enhances its beauty.
This applies to dry and steam-filled saunas. The moisture and heat can cause your jewelry to become damaged.
A matched jewelry set is a no-fail gift for any woman on your list. The larger jewelry stores will often give discounts on an entire set of jewelry. You do not have to give your loved one the entire set at once. You can present him or her with one piece as each occasion comes around. This is a surefire way to ensure that you are never without a gift for that special someone.
When you set out to buy jewelry, buy a piece because you love it, not because of who makes it. There are probably not going to be many people that recognize that the piece is anything special due to the brand, and you are likely going to pay far too much money for it. Remember that there is top-quality jewelry available under any number of different brands.
An important part of your necklace or bracelet is having a quality clasp. A flimsy clasp could result in lost jewelry. It is a wise idea to add a safety clasp to any expensive pieces of jewelry to avoid having them slip off accidentally. For very expensive items, some consumers choose to increase security with an additional clasp or two.
Jewelry Purchase
Look for fancy robe hooks to hang your necklaces from so they do not become tangled. Install a series of these hooks on a closet door or wall to hang necklaces. You can organize the pieces by style, length or color. Not only does this keep necklaces from tangling up into knots in your jewelry box, but it makes an attractive accent to your decor.
When you are making a serious, high-dollar jewelry purchase, make sure that you can get years of use out of it. Consider both style and quality when selecting your next jewelry purchase. If the piece you are considering is very trendy at the moment, it may be out of fashion in just a few years. Try and find classic items that never go out of fashion.
It can be hard to properly display the jewelry that you have made to sell at holiday sales, craft sales and flea markets. The next time you go shopping for new materials, look for things you can use for display. 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!
Pair large and ornate jewelry pieces with simple outfits. Wear solid colors to bring attention to a fabulous item of jewelry.
The birthstone for the month of July, popular rubies were once believed to possess magical powers. True rubies are red, but rubies have a myriad of red shades that range from deep pinks to near maroon. Rubies are very durable and withstand considerable wear and tear. Their strength and unique beauty make them an excellent choice for most people.
Making and selling your own jewelry can be an exciting and lucrative hobby, but you simply must have an attractive, eye-catching way to display your wares. Whenever you are buying materials for your jewelry, also be on the lookout of a good display as well. There are many different things that you could use like a cigar-boxes, baskets, different racks or even a wig stand. With a little creativity, any thing can be turned into a jewelry display case.
To keep the setting in good shape, clean it with a cloth that is just a little damp. To dry the piece, use a dry soft cloth. Don’t use steam cleaners or harsh chemicals on costume or fashion jewelry.
The ruby has been held in high regard for a variety of excellent reasons. Although true rubies are a rich, bright red, many stones are available in color variations that range from rosy pinks to deep maroons. Rubies are especially hardy and can withstand exposure to most chemicals and other types of damage. Because of this combination of looks and strength, rubies are one of the most practical choices in fine stones.
Surprise your partner with a stunning piece of jewelry simply to let her know that you love and appreciate her. A beautiful jewelry surprise is sure to delight any woman. You will enjoy watching her eyes light up when you hand her a small, beautifully wrapped box.
Alexandrite is often times overlooked, but it is a beautiful jewelry stone. The color of the stone changes from purple to green depending if your indoors or outdoors. Alexandrite is often set in earrings, rings, or pendants.
If you wish to sell fine jewelry, try seeing a master gemologist and/or a certified appraiser. This is the best way to get an honest and accurate portrayal of what the jewelry piece really is worth. This will be necessary for you to know prior to putting it out to the marketplace.
These days, a lot of people are mixing silver and gold in their jewelry. However, you should wear jewelry that has both metals in one piece. Otherwise, the style can look dated and mismatched.
Perhaps you could settle for a cheaper wedding band for now and get a better one later. You can also purchase the ideal ring in the future as an anniversary gift, or for another significant occasion. There are jewelers who offer a buy back programs where you may trade in your unwanted ring.
Have a budget, and stick to it when purchasing jewelry. No piece of jewelry is worth going into debt over. A young couple just starting out may need to buy a less expensive ring and upgrade later. It would then be easy to get a better ring later, for instance, for an anniversary.
When selecting your jewelry for the day, consider its purpose in relation to your outfit. Do you want your jewelry to be the centerpiece or just an embellishment for a fantastic overall ensemble?
Take any fine jewelry you want to sell to a gemologist or a certified appraiser. You need to get an accurate appraisal, so that you know what you can sell it for.
If your personal jewelry style involves piling on multiple rings, you should take excellent care of your hands. Be sure to have your nails manicured, or at least trim them and buff them yourself, to set an attractive stage to showcase your jewelry.
If you are seeking a grand diamond effect in your ring, an illusion setting may be a great option. This means a mirroring plate will be placed under the diamond. When the diamond is placed over the mirrored surface, it creates the illusion that it is larger than it really is. Repairs can be complicated for this kind of setting, so keep that in mind when making your choice.
Don’t fall for the hype of fancy names in jewelry. There are many famous jewelry stores and jewelers that charge top price for their goods based on their name, but is their quality any better than others? You can find the same type of jewelry as the expensive designer pieces that appeal to you but at far lower cost from less well known brands.
As previously discussed, jewelry can be an ideal gift for more than one occasion. Small pieces of jewelry can be very sentimental. There are things you should know about how to take care of your own jewelry, too. If you test any of these tips, you are sure to find that enjoying jewelry stylishly is easier than you may have previously believed.
Cleaning your jewelry is just as important as proper storage for your valuables. Prior to cleaning your jewelry, check to ensure that there aren’t any scratches or loose stones. If so, cleaning the item may actually make the problem worse. If there are issues that you cannot address yourself, then consult your local jeweler for professional cleaning.