What attracts you to jewelry? Do you know what different kinds of jewelery are, or how to find a good piece? Understanding jewelry is as simple as function and preference. This article will provide some great tricks for all of your jewelry needs.
For example, you should never use bleach, turpentine, or ammonia on your jewelry. Doing so can destroy enamel finishes, while clouding stones and crystals.
Do not use any chemicals on your jewelery stones. These chemicals can turn stones dull and even erode the enamel.
If you are shopping unmarked sterling silver jewelry, then by all means bring a magnet. 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.
Be careful when storing all your jewelry together. Keep pieces separately by using compartments, boxes, hooks and holders. Throwing the jewelry together into the jewelry box is a no-no. Not only can it damage finer, fragile pieces, but it can also make a tangled mess out of chains.
When you purchase jewelry, you are investing in an item that will last a lifetime. Choose reputable jewelry dealers when considering your next jewelry purchase. Any piece that is high quality will have its craftsmanship and quality shining through. 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. It is important that your pieces are high-quality if you want them to last a long time.
Sterling Silver
Comparison shopping is a must when shopping for diamonds. Find a few reference pieces that you like, and see if other diamonds can do better. You must be a sharp consumer to avoid tricks that might make a diamond look better than it really is.
If you are looking to purchase sterling silver jewelry make sure that you have a magnet with you and a good eye. Use the magnet to detect fake jewelry; real silver will not be attracted to the magnet, but the cheaper metals will. If your silver is sterling, you will also notice a mark on the piece. This mark might state .925, sterling, or ster. Be wary of pieces that lack any silver hallmarks, as this is an indication that they’re not genuine sterling silver.
Do they often wear hoop earrings, or stud earrings? Do they show a preference for white or yellow gold? By doing this you should have a good idea what to buy them.
Before you buy any new jewelry, you should look around for the latest trends. The only thing that can make picking out a fantastic piece of jewelry better is if you get it at a discount.
To keep your jewelry looking great, take steps to prevent it from tarnish. Don’t take your jewelry into the water, regardless of whether you are showering or hitting the beach. Lots of jewelry materials are dulled or tarnished by water exposure. A very light coating of clear nail varnish can be applied to some jewelry, and this will add an additional line of protection against the elements.
Check to see if your jeweler offers an insurance policy before purchasing an item. Insurance policies allow you to bring a defective or broken piece into the jewelry store for repair. There are jewelers who offer insurance for misplaced or lost jewelry, too.
Costume jewelry needs special care. Many of the stones and embellishments are just glued in instead of set in a professional setting. Don’t submerge costume jewelry in water or clean it with abrasives. To care for it best, wipe your jewelry with a damp, warm cloth and dry it with a different cloth. This will ensure that your costume jewelry looks perfect.
Put on the jewelry to see if it hangs correctly, then wear it for a few hours to test the comfort. Doing this also helps you see if the jewelery is long lasting or likely to break easily.
Ask your jeweler before you make a purchse about what kinds of treatments were used on the gemstones in the piece. The type of care required will differ depending on the kind of treatment. Applying the wrong chemical when cleaning a gemstone can cause the protective treatment to dissolve, and damage the appearance of the gem.
When buying jewelry, think about what kind of stone would be right. Any stones that you choose should go with your skin tone and reflect your personality. Pieces in neutral tones work well with any item in your wardrobe. Buying a stone that you will never wear is pointless
Shop the sales to get great jewelry on a budget. With the right kind of sale, you can save a lot of money. Go through magazines and websites to find the best deals. Buying styles that are going out of fashion can be a huge money saver, even getting up to 50% off.
Apply your makeup and let it set before putting on jewelry. Dust and grime from makeup gravitates towards jewelry, and putting on your jewelry first can leave it looking dull or dingy. This is particularly important in the case of necklaces and earrings.
If there are knots in your necklaces, you can easily untangle them. Believe it or not, you can use plastic wrap to untangle jewelry. Place your jewelry on the plastic wrap and add a little baby oil. If the jewelry is tangled and knotted, try using needles to unknot the strands. Use a mild liquid soap to remove the oil and then pat dry with a towel.
The cut, color and clarity of a diamond can make a bigger impression than size alone. The intended recipient’s personality should play a role in diamond selection, too.
When you list jewelry for sale online, make sure you present it in the best possible way. A nice photo and description is essential since your online customer will not be able to see the piece in person. Make sure any photos of the jewelry focus on the item itself and don’t have distracting backgrounds or additional items.
Wearing jewelry during spa and recreational activities is not recommended. Both heat and moisture will damage your jewelery.
This goes for any type of sauna, either steam or dry. The reason for this is that the heat and the moisture can taint the jewelry and cause problems.
When you are buying jewelry for someone, it may be a good idea to buy a set instead of just one piece. Most jewelers offer special deals on jewelry when it is bought in sets, rather than each piece individually. If you purchase a necklace and earring set, you can gift the necklace on one occasion and the earrings on another. This ensures that you will have a lovely gift that is sure to match and be cherished.
Know your options when shopping for diamonds. No diamond is without its flaws, and every piece is unique. Some flaws are not as obtrusive as others, but you need to see a diamond in person to discern if a flaw is important or not to you. Depending on the number and types of flaws in a diamond, jewelers may be somewhat flexible in pricing the piece. Make sure you browse different shops to locate the best diamond for the price range you have in mind.
An important part of your necklace or bracelet is having a quality clasp. If your chains and pendants with costly gems do not have secure clasps, you may lose them. A safety clasp is available and is recommended for valuable bracelets and necklaces. You might even want to add an extra clasp on your jewelery for added protection.
An important part of your necklace or bracelet is having a quality clasp. Without a decent clasp, you risk losing your expensive stones or chains. Anytime you buy an expensive bracelet or necklace it is recommended you request a safety clasp. If there is a piece that you simply cannot afford to lose, try an additional clasp for added safety.
When taking a dip in the pool, take off your jewelry. Chlorine from a pool is a chemical and can tarnish and damage precious jewelry. The salt in seawater will result in the same effect. Taking these off before swimming will protect their beauty and extend their life.
Brand name should not be the primary concern when buying jewelry. Many people won’t know where you got it, and many sellers try to sell these brands so that you pay a lot for them. It is not difficult to find quality jewelry that is made by different brands.
Robe Hooks
Beautiful displays will help you sell the jewelry you make. Consider the look of your displays when shopping for materials to use in your jewelry creations. You can use items like cigar boxes, baskets and other unusual items to display your jewelry in an interesting way.
Look for fancy robe hooks to hang your necklaces from so they do not become tangled. You can keep your necklaces organized by length, color or material when you install a row of robe hooks on a wall or right on the inside of your closet door. Not only will this prevent your necklaces from getting entwined in your jewelry box, it will also look really attractive.
There have been so many advances in created stones that it is difficult to distinguish between natural gems and lab created ones. The stones are nearly the same, both physically and chemically speaking, but artificial stones are much easier and less expensive to obtain. Always make sure to have a reputable gemologist examine any piece of jewelry that claims it is natural sapphire to check for natural inclusions.
If you plan to invest a great deal of money in a piece of jewelry, opt for a piece that will last many years. You usually get good quality when you buy something expensive, but think about styles too. Something that is cool and trendy now might not look so stylish in a couple of years. Choose a classic, timeless piece.
A beautiful and oftentimes overlooked gemstone is Alexandrite. One of the great aspects of this stone is its color-changing ability, depending on whether you are indoors or outdoors. Alexandrite is often set in earrings, rings, or pendants.
If you really want real gold pieces, high gold prices might be one of the only things to worry about. If you must have gold, save money by selecting the appropriate karat. Many people believe that 75 percent pure gold is the most ideal ratio of price and quality. This grade is commonly referred to as 18 karats.
Get an illusion setting if you wish to have a noticeable effect. Illusion settings have a mirror beneath the diamond. This will give the diamond a mirror effect on your hand and make the diamond look much larger and more shiny. Fixing the setting if something happens to the ring can be hard, which is one of the negatives of an illusion setting.
You can make a real statement with a stand-out piece of onyx or crystal jewelry. You may find that saving money and finding great jewelry go hand in hand.
Instead of seeing buying a wedding ring as a one-off experience, think about buying a small ring initially and then saving for a more expensive one at a later time. You can always get the perfect ring on another important occasion, such as a later anniversary. Some jewelers will even offer buy back programs, where you can trade your ring for a bigger size.
Rubies deserve their reputation as a very popular gemstone. Although rubies are red, there are many different variations of red ranging from maroon to deep rose pink. Rubies are also very strong, durable stones and resistant to chemicals as well. Their beauty and strength make them some of the best choices for jewelry.
Sometimes it is very cost effective to purchase a piece of jewelry that has been previously owned. Jewelry that has been previously owned tends to be priced much lower than brand new pieces, while still retaining the same quality. This is a wonderful option for anyone looking to buy jewelry!
Illusion Setting
Choose an engagement ring that fits your lifestyle, as well as one that looks gorgeous. The rings should reflect your individuality, as well as your relationship with your partner. You will be talking about the ring for many years so you should make sure that it is a good reflection of your personality.
If you are seeking a grand diamond effect in your ring, an illusion setting may be a great option. An illusion setting is created by placing a reflective plate on the ring below where the diamond will be set. The diamond is mirrored as you wear it and made to look huge and super sparkly. The difficulties of doing it this way is that it can be tough to repair.
When shopping for jewelry, stay away from the luxury and designer brands. Most designer styles are eventually recreated and sold for a more reasonable price. 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.
These tips should be followed if you want to make an informed jewelery purchase. You may save money by recognizing a deal on a great item. Having a good taste in jewelry is all about education and exposure to this art.
Purchasing an expensive piece of jewelry is a lifelong investment. Wait for your chance, and keep in mind that somewhere waiting for you is a piece of jewelry that you will cherish every day.