There is no shortage of wonderful information about jewelry. Even the tiniest misstep could be the end of your jewelry – and your money. Here are a few sensible guidelines on the subject. The tips in the article can help you make good decisions about jewelry selection and maintenance, and how to avoid common mistakes.
Watch how you store your jewelry when it isn’t being worn. Precious metals and certain gemstones will tarnish if they are exposed to humidity, so keep the away from this. Don’t just put them in one huge, unorganized pile. This can damage the finer and more fragile pieces, and items like necklaces can entangle with each other and other pieces into a big mess.
Before buying a new item of jewelry, do a little research on recent trends. The one thing that makes a great purchase an outstanding one is getting a bargain on it.
A magnet is a useful tool when shopping for jewelry in sterling silver. If the piece you are examining is not silver and is made from non-precious metal, it will be attracted to the magnet. You can identify sterling silver by its markings, for example “sterling,” “ster,” or “.925.” If the item has no markings indicating its authenticity, then be wary.
Always ask the jeweler about an insurance policy before buying a new piece of jewelry. If something happens to your piece, you’ll know you can take it to the jeweler you bought it from, who will repair it or replace the piece. There are jewelers who offer insurance for misplaced or lost jewelry, too.
Quality jewelry should stay beautiful forever. When purchasing your next jewelry item, focus on buying a quality, well-made piece. You should be able to notice a quality piece by its craftsmanship. The person selling the piece should know its history, including who made it and the source of the stones. Take your time when selecting a high-quality piece if you want it to last you for a long time.
Keep your jewelry from getting tarnished in order to keep it looking it’s best. 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 single coat of transparent nail polish may help protect certain types of metal.
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. Be alert, since there are various ways to deceive consumers into thinking a diamond is better then it really is.
Costume Jewelry
To help maintain its appearance, take good care of it to keep it from getting tarnished. Try to keep your jewelry away from water. Metals can become dull, rusty or tarnished if submerged in it. A single coat of transparent nail polish may help protect certain types of metal.
You need to pay attention to care and maintenance if you intend to build up a costume jewelry collection. Costume jewelry is pricey and can retain its value in many cases, but pieces that are damaged aren’t worth much and aren’t worth the time to restore. A piece that is in excellent condition will increase in value.
If you like to buy costume jewelry, make sure that you examine the condition carefully. Quality costume jewelry may cost more, but a cheaply made piece will fall apart and will quickly become unusable. A piece that is free of any defects or wear not only looks better, but is also a better investment.
Take careful consideration when thinking of how you want to care for the jewelry you purchase. Metals, gemstones and settings all have different storage and cleaning requirements. What works for a certain kind of stone may not work for another. When in doubt about the right way to maintain your jewelry, just ask a professional jeweler.
Try on a few different stones when you are shopping for jewelry. The stone will look best on you if it is complementary to your skin tone, eye, and hair color. Think about how the stones will work with your style, and pick neutral colors that go with everything in your wardrobe. Buying a stone that you will never wear is pointless
Costume jewelry should be treated differently than your other jewelry. A lot of the stones in costume jewelery are glued in and not set in. You will need to avoid immersing your jewelry and make sure to stay away from the use of harsh chemicals. Use a damp cloth, then dry it with another clean, dry cloth. This will keep your costume jewelry clean and shiny.
Know how to keep your jewelry beautiful. Different styles of jewelry affect the way they need to be cared for; one type of metal will need a different treatment than another, for example. What works well with one type of precious stone may actually harm another. When in doubt about the right way to maintain your jewelry, just ask a professional jeweler.
For those creative, quirky people in your life, shop for handcrafted original pieces. Purchasing a unique piece that matches his or her personality demonstrates how thoughtful and creative you are. This is what you should be expressing to someone you love enough to purchase jewelry for.
You need to take special care of costume jewelry. Stones in costume jewelry are usually held in place with glue instead of a physical setting. Don’t immerse costume jewelry in water or use chemicals on it. To care for it best, wipe your jewelry with a damp, warm cloth and dry it with a different cloth. This keeps dirt from building up and making your jewelry look dull.
If you are interested in acquiring new jewelry pieces, try to find great sales. Finding a store offering extreme markdowns is a way to realize tremendous savings. Watch for sales in the newspaper, on the Internet, and even in the stores themselves. If you wait to buy jewelry until that particular style is going out of fashion, you can get it for almost 50 percent off of its original price.
Accent a belt with a brooch to add more visual interest instantly. Think about placing it near your hip or at waist level.
Avoid steam saunas and dry ones. Both heat and moisture will damage your jewelery.
Try searching for sales when purchasing jewelry. Jewelry sales can save you a significant amount of cash. Keep your eyes peeled for sales on the Internet, in the paper, and on storefront displays. You can occasionally get fading fashion styles for a fraction of their original prices.
Take your jewelry off before you go swimming. Swimming pools contain chlorine, which can age many types of jewelry prematurely. The cumulative effects of salt water can affect jewelery just as badly. Take off your jewelry before diving in the water to keep them looking their best.
Think about the outfits you will wear it with when you buy a piece of jewelry. It is not beneficial to have a large box full of jewelry that you will not wear. Think of the outfits that you own, and use those to help you choose your jewelry.
Use decorative robe hooks to prevent your necklaces from becoming tangled and knotted. Attach the hooks in accessible areas of your bedroom or closet, and drape necklaces across them in compatible groups. This will keep you from having to worry about tangled necklaces the next time you go for one, and it happens to also be an attractive way to display them.
When you are looking to buy someone a gift, you may consider getting a jewelry set. Jewelry stores often offer remarkable deals on jewelry sets. You can divide up the set into individual pieces and give them out one at a time. This is a fabulous way to always have a gift that someone will love.
If you want to spend a lot of money on some jewelry, then make sure to buy a piece that will last a very long time. Quality and durability are usually givens when you spend big, but style and fashion also come into play. Very often pieces that are currently trendy wind up looking foolish later. Look for pieces that have a timeless character.
To keep your necklaces tangle-free, look for pretty, embellished robe hooks. The small hooks can be hung just about anywhere and will allow you to neatly organize and display your necklaces. This keeps your necklaces from balling into a knotty cluster in the jewelry box, and it looks lovely, too.
The increasing cost of purchasing gold can be a hindrance to owning that piece you really desire. If you must have gold, save money by selecting the appropriate karat. 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.
Many people forget about the beautiful stone Alexandrite. This stone will change from a purple color to a green, depending if it is outside or indoors. Alexandrite is commonly used in rings, earrings and pendants.
You can make some extra cash from your gold jewelry without sacrificing the pieces. If there is excess gold on the piece, remove that extra, then sell that while retaining the piece itself. Genuine gold is valuable even in small pieces, so consider the option of removing links in chains or charms.
Many people wear gold and silver jewelry pieces together. The best way to approach this is with jewelry that uses both metals in its construction. Otherwise the look is out of style and doesn’t look right.
Well, it’s easy when you know how. This article has just touched on a few of things that you should know about this very rewarding hobby. There is much to learn, but at least you’ve now got a few good ideas to put to work.
To retain the jewelry’s natural look, clean the piece gently using a lightly dampened cloth. Then use a cloth to dry off the piece totally. Avoid exposing your jewelery to chemicals, water or steam cleaners.