Many people are fervent when it comes to the subject of jewelry, whether it concerns them or someone they love. With the variety of jewelry that is available and the specifics concerning its wear and care, it helps to have some knowledge. Learn how to sort your jewelry for storage.
Do not use harsh chemicals such as ammonia, bleach, turpentine or acetone to clean them. Doing so can damage the shine and luster of the stones on your favorite pieces.
Steer clear of ammonia, bleach or other strong chemical solvents when you need to clean these items. Doing so can damage the shine and luster of the stones on your favorite pieces.
If you are in the market to buy some silver jewelry, don’t forget to take a magnet along with you. Use the magnet to detect fake jewelry; real silver will not be attracted to the magnet, but the cheaper metals will. Sterling silver will always be hallmarked with a stamp such as .925, ster. or sterling. If there is no hallmark, watch its authenticity since it may be fake.
Your diamond shopping experience is missing something important if you are not comparison shopping. Find a few reference pieces that you like, and see if other diamonds can do better. Less-scrupulous jewelry sellers have many ways to enhance the appearance of a sub-par diamond, so you have to stay alert.
A piece of jewelry should be long lasting. When purchasing your next jewelry item, focus on buying a quality, well-made piece. Quality jewelry will be constructed to last, and show a fine attention to detail. The jeweler must be able to provide a history of the piece. This will tell you who made the piece, and where the components came from. This way, you can ensure you are paying a fair price. When you are looking for jewelry of the highest quality, it is important to be careful in your choice, as you want something that will last a lifetime.
Costume Jewelry
Before you buy any gemstone, determine what, if any, treatment it received. The various treatments that gems are given means that they need to be cared for differently. You don’t want to clean them with a type of solution that could strip the treatment or damage the gem.
Costume jewelry has different, specific care requirements. Costume settings are often glued-in as compared to set-in. For this reason, costume jewelry should never touch water, and you should avoid using detergents on it. Wiping it down with a damp, warm cloth and then drying it with another cloth is the best care for it. This will make your costume jewelry sparkle for weeks, months, or even years.
Do not buy a piece of jewelery if you are not sure when you are going to wear it. A big supply of jewelry that you never wear is of little use to you. Take a look in your closet and consider what outfits your jewelry will accessorize.
If you are in the market for new jewelry, look for sales! With the right kind of sale, you can save a lot of money. Check for the best sales in the paper, online, and in store windows. If you purchase something on clearance, you might save 50% or more off the original purchase price.
Hit up several different stores when looking for diamond jewelry. Each diamond is unique with its own individual flaws. Once you get to see the flaw up close, you may find that it doesn’t matter to you. Jewelers price diamonds differently, depending on their flaws. Look around and you’re sure to find the perfect diamond for you, at a price you can live with.
Untangle a delicate necklace easily. Instead of giving up a knotted chain as hopeless, try using plastic wrap and some clear oil. Put the necklace on the plastic wrap and add a little mineral oil or baby oil. Using sewing needles, you should be able to separate the knot. When finished, wash it with a little dishwashing liquid and pat dry.
When you are buying jewelry for someone, it may be a good idea to buy a set instead of just one piece. Some stores give deals when sets of jewelry are purchased. You can split up the set and give the loved one a piece of jewelry as each holiday comes around. This ensures that you will have a lovely gift that is sure to match and be cherished.
Do not buy a piece of jewelery if you are not sure when you are going to wear it. There is nothing worse than a box full of unloved jewelry. Take a look in your closet and consider what outfits your jewelry will accessorize.
Every necklace, bracelet or anklet can benefit from a quality clasp. It is extremely easy to lose your valuable chains, pendants and stones with jewelry that has a flimsy clasp. For particularly expensive or sentimental pieces of jewelry, it is recommended you have a safety clasp installed. It is common to have two or three clasps for expensive jewelry.
Buying jewelry in sets is worth considering when you want to give that special someone a gift. It is often possible to get a good deal on jewelry sets at a jewelry store. You can easily make that one purchase into two gifts for different occasions by breaking the set up and presenting it to them on the different days. This practice will ensure that you have appealing gifts planned out for a long time in the future.
Use decorative robe hooks to prevent your necklaces from becoming tangled and knotted. You can hang your necklaces in a row and separate them by color and length. This keeps your necklaces from balling into a knotty cluster in the jewelry box, and it looks lovely, too.
Any type of necklace or bracelet should have a strong clasp. It is extremely easy to lose your valuable chains, pendants and stones with jewelry that has a flimsy clasp. For particularly expensive or sentimental pieces of jewelry, it is recommended you have a safety clasp installed. An additional clasp — or clasps — can be added to particularly priceless items to keep them extra safe.
The increasing cost of purchasing gold can be a hindrance to owning that piece you really desire. If you must have a gold bracelet or ring, consider looking at a piece with fewer karats in order to spend less money. 18 karat gold is a popular option, being 75% pure the quality, as well as the price makes it an attractive choice for those in the market to purchase gold.
Keep your necklaces free of tangles by getting robe hooks to hang them. Create an instant necklace storage area by mounting a row of these hooks on a closet wall. This organizational tip can help you from getting a tangled mess of necklaces in your jewelry box.
You can make a real statement with a stand-out piece of onyx or crystal jewelry. It’s possible to save money, and be happy with your results.
There are a few easy ways to benefit financially from your valuable jewelry without relinquishing it. Cut off some of the excess, making certain that it still fits, and you will have something to sell and still be able to use the jewelry as well. By pruning your gold pieces, you may be able to bring in a tidy sum.
Rubies have long been one of the most popular stones for jewelry and for good reason. Rubies are red, of course, but when talking about rubies, they come in many different shades. There are dark maroons to light pinks. They are a durable stone, able to withstand daily wear and tear and even exposure to some chemicals. Rubies are the perfect choice, if you desire a stone that is strong, as well as beautiful.
Jewelry with onyx or crystal can make an impact and separate you from the crowd. Be kinder to your wallet; you might find that the results are gorgeous.
Natural rubies and sapphires are hard to tell apart from their chemically produced counterparts. The artificial rubies and sapphires are chemically the same as the real thing. They cost only a fraction of what the real things cost for suppliers, though. Before you buy a piece of jewelry sold as natural sapphire, get a reputable gemologist to examine it for natural inclusions.
Combining large decorative jewelry with basic outfits can have quite the effect. Wear something in a single color and allow the jewelry to steal the show.
It is important to stick to your designated budget when you are out jewelry shopping. Extra debt being incurred for the sake of having a flashy bracelet to wear is a very unhealthy financial choice. When just starting out, a young couple might be better served getting a cheaper ring. Then, they can upgrade it when they have achieved a little more financial wherewithal.
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. The next time you go shopping for new materials, look for things you can use for display. You can use every day items to display your jewelery, like boxes, mirrors, etc.
To clean a gem or bauble in a setting, use a damp cloth and be very gentle with the piece. Follow this by gently drying the item with a soft, dry cloth. Avoid using steam cleaners or harsh chemicals with fashion or costume jewelry.
It is hard to tell the difference between real and fake sapphires and rubies. These beautiful stones are chemically and physically identical, but the artificial ones can be supplied for a fraction of the cost of natural flawless ones. Make sure that you have a professional and reputable gemologist examine any natural sapphire you are thinking of purchasing.
If you want to sell a piece of fine jewelry, take it to either a certified appraiser or a master gemologist. This way, you will get an accurate and truthful quote on what the item is worth, so you will be prepared for offers on your piece once you are putting it on the market.
If you really want a gorgeous, striking diamond effect, try the uniqueness of an illusion setting. Prior to the diamond being affixed to the ring, this type of setting includes attaching a mirrored plate to the piece. When the diamond is placed over the mirrored surface, it creates the illusion that it is larger than it really is. The only caveat is that repairs on a mirrored setting can be difficult to achieve.
Using an illusion setting may be an original choice, if you like the effect of a larger, more brilliant diamond. This involves plating your ring with a mirror before setting the diamond. The diamond then goes through a mirroring process on your hand, giving it a big and sparkly look. The only drawback to this type of setting is that repairs can be difficult.
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. If a special ring has caught your eye, put it on the back burner for one of the many anniversaries, birthdays or special moments that you will share with your spouse in the years to come. Some jewelers provide buy-back programs where your ring can be traded for a larger one.
If you are going to go shopping for engagement rings, know the approximate price for diamonds before looking. Shopping for that special diamond can become quite emotional. It is easy to lose yourself in the moment and forget about your budget.
The subject of jewelry is broad and overwhelming with considerations ranging from prices to budgets to proper care and specific occasions. Remember to use these tips to choose jewelery.
If you cannot afford that dream wedding ring, try buying smaller and then upgrading it later. If a special ring has caught your eye, put it on the back burner for one of the many anniversaries, birthdays or special moments that you will share with your spouse in the years to come. In some instances your jeweler may offer a program where they will buy back the simple ring in partial trade for your better one.