It can be well worth your while to thoroughly research any jewelry you are planning to buy or sell. Perhaps you are not sure where to begin.
The use of polishing cloths are helpful in cleaning your jewelry. This is an easy way to get shine without chemicals and solvents. You can use the two-sided cloth to polish your jewelry in the same way you would polish a drinking glass. Use the side of the cloth that is designed for polishing to remove fingerprints, dust and other surface imperfections, and then use the opposite side to buff the jewelry and make it gleam.
Keep your jewelry looking like new by wiping it with a polishing cloth. With this method, you can simply shine it up and not deal with the hassle of using cleaners. Buff your jewelry with the two-sided cloth, just as if you were cleaning a glass. One side is designed to polish, and the other is used to make the piece shine.
Do not use harsh chemicals such as ammonia, bleach, turpentine or acetone to clean them. These chemicals can turn stones dull and even erode the enamel.
Some precious metals and gems need to be kept away from moisture and humidity. A jewelry box or drawstring bag out of a humid area is ideal. Continued exposure to humidity extremes or air causes metals typically used in jewelry to tarnish. 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.
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. However, be mindful that there are fraudulent ways to make the diamond look better than it is.
Sterling Silver
Always check with your jeweler about insurance policy options before buying anything. 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. You should also think about getting additional insurance in cause of theft or loss.
If you are shopping unmarked sterling silver jewelry, then by all means bring a magnet. If an item of jewelry is attracted by a magnet, it is not sterling silver! Only non-precious metals can be drawn to a magnet. Another way to tell if a metal is sterling silver is to check for a hallmark stamp, for example .sterling, .ster, or .925. If you don’t see a stamp of any sort on a piece, then be wary of whether it is actually silver or not.
Prevent your jewelry from tarnishing so that it keeps looking great. Jewelry should not be worn near the water. Lots of jewelry materials are dulled or tarnished by water exposure. For added protection for your jewelry, try adding a thin coating of clear nail polish.
Before you select your newest addition to your jewelry collection, learn the latest styles that are trending. The only thing that can make picking out a fantastic piece of jewelry better is if you get it at a discount.
When collecting costume jewelry, pay close attention to the condition of any piece you are considering. Costume jewelry can prove to be a good investment, but also a costly one; keep in mind the pieces you wish to add to your collection don’t show too much wear. Maintaining a piece of costume jewelry’s condition preserves the beauty and value that attracted you in the first place.
You want to ensure that your jewelry always looks its best so do everything you can to stop it from tarnishing. Jewelry should not be worn near the water. Metals will often tarnish or rust when in contact with water. Clear nail polish, applied in a thin coat, can give jewelry some added protection.
See if your gem has had any treatments prior to buying, and if so, which treatments. The type of care required will differ depending on the kind of treatment. Some cleaning solutions that work perfectly well on untreated gems can strip off treatments, and even damage stones, if you use them on treated gems.
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.
Have a purpose in mind before shopping for jewelry. You don’t need a box full of unused jewelry. Think about the outfits you can wear the jewelry with when you are choosing different pieces.
Investigate your gemstone to determine if it has been treated before you purchase it, and what type of treatment it had. It is important to understand the varying treatment processes because each one requires a specific care regimen. Knowing the proper care techniques for your gemstone will prevent you from accidentally damaging it by stripping it of its protective treatment.
Both steam and dry saunas are included. Sweat, heat and water, can all damage jewelry. Even if permanent damage does not occur, wearing your jewelry during these activities increases the need to clean it.
The size of the diamond is not as important as its cut and clarity. Also, remember the person’s personality who will be receiving the diamond.
Buying jewelry in sets is worth considering when you want to give that special someone a gift. The larger jewelry stores will often give discounts on an entire set of jewelry. Split the set for a loved one for every upcoming holiday. It is an awesome way to be sure that the gift that you give them on the following occasions is something that they will love.
Wearing jewelry during spa and recreational activities is not recommended. Many pieces can be seriously damaged by extreme temperatures and moisture levels.
Robe hooks are a great way to keep necklaces safe and separate. With the right space, you can incorporate a row of these and use them for organizing and hanging necklaces easily. No longer will you have to contend with knotted, tangled balls of chains in your jewelry box. Plus, the artfully arranged necklaces make an aesthetically pleasing addition to your room.
Any type of necklace or bracelet should have a strong clasp. Without a solid clasp, your pendant, chain or expensive stone is at risk for loss. If you have expensive or heirloom items, invest in a safety clasp. With the most expensive items of jewelry, some people will use two or three clasps for extra security.
Don’t buy a piece of jewelry based solely on the brand. You’ll probably pay too much since a jeweler will be aware that you are probably buying the name and not the piece. Besides, many “regular” people won’t even recognize the brand when you wear it. You can find excellent quality from many different brands.
You should never wear your jewelry while swimming. Chlorine in pools will damage your pieces causing them to lose their luster. Salt water is just as bad as chlorinated water. Your jewelry will last longer and stay more lustrous if you remember to take it off before getting into the water.
You can make money from any gold bracelets and necklaces you have, without having to sell your entire pieces. If there’s excess, clip it off, sell it, and you can still have a wearable piece of jewelry. If the chain is real gold, and there’s a lot of excess, you can make a couple hundred dollars without losing anything you need.
Try using robe hooks for storing your necklaces in a tangle-free way. Attach the hooks in accessible areas of your bedroom or closet, and drape necklaces across them in compatible groups. Doing this will keep your jewelry from getting all balled up in the bottom of your jewelry box.
You may lack a way to properly display your jewelry at a craft sale, holiday sale or flea market. Use the same creativity you employ on your jewelry to come up with notable, memorable displays for it. 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!
You will want to purchase jewelry that will have an extended lifespan if you are spending a great deal of money. Quality is normally a given with higher expense, however, style should be considered as well. Something that is trendy right now might look ridiculous in a few years. Look for pieces that have a timeless character.
Rubies have always been known to be a very fine jewelry stone and for good reason. Rubies range from a soft pinkish-red to a deep romantic shade of red. As a gemstone, rubies are extremely dense. They are impervious to high pressures and corrosion. Their strength and beauty make them a great jewelry choice.
If you want to make a few extra bucks without selling your jewelry, you can do this if you have bracelets or necklaces made of gold. 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. With real gold and several chains, you could shorten the pieces to get hundreds of dollars.
A stone that people do not often think of is Alexandrite. The stone’s color morphs from green to purple, changing based on whether you are inside a building or standing outside. Alexandrite is most often used in earrings, pendants and rings.
Clearly, buying and selling jewelry successfully requires ample amounts of research and effort. Use the advice given in this article to help you as you begin venturing into the jewelry market.
It is becoming increasingly popular to wear silver and gold jewelry at the same time. To do this correctly, you need a piece that combines them both. Otherwise, the style can look dated and mismatched.