It can be difficult to find jewelry pieces which will work with your daily outfits and even harder to find information to help you in your quest. There is tons of information available, and you may not know where to start. Thankfully for you, the best methods are in this article, so read them to know which ones to utilize.
A magnet is a useful tool when shopping for jewelry in sterling silver. By using the magnet you can quickly determine if the jewelry item is made of a cheaper metal and not sterling silver. True sterling sliver always has some sort of hallmark stamp on it, such as .925, sterling or ster. Be wary of jewelery without any kind of hallmark, as often it is fake.
Polish your jewelry regularly with a jeweler’s polishing cloth. You can keep your items shiny without using chemicals. Gently polish your jewelry with the two-sided cloth as if it were a mirror. One side is designed to polish, and the other is used to make the piece shine.
When you purchase jewelry, you are investing in an item that will last a lifetime. When you are ready to chose your next selection of jewelry, make sure you find a reputable dealer that will make sure that you find a high-quality piece. The best jewelry is well-designed and well-made with close attention to detail. Make sure the jeweler is able to tell you the history of the piece, including who created it and where any stones come from. 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.
You never want to use bleach, ammonia, or any other cleaning solvents that are not designed specifically for cleaning jewelry. These chemicals can turn stones dull and even erode the enamel.
Study current jewelry trends prior to shopping for a piece. The only thing that can make picking out a fantastic piece of jewelry better is if you get it at a discount.
Watch how you store your jewelry when it isn’t being worn. Consider delegating each piece to its own resting place, utilizing compartmental boxes and storage units. You should never simply throw your jewelry into a box in a messy pile. This can hurt very fragile jewelry, and tangle necklaces or bracelets.
If you are wanting to collect costume jewelry, you should ensure you are aware of its condition. Well-done costume jewelry is often worth the price, but if it’s worn out or visibly damaged, it won’t be worth the effort it takes to restore it. A piece of costume jewelry that has been treated well can be a treasure for years to come.
Precious Metals
Think about what stones you would want before you purchase a new piece of jewelry. Choose pieces that have stones which express your personality and those that make you feel great when you wear them. Neutral colored jewelry is nearly always a good buy, because they blend in well with any outfit. Taking these things into account will give you a piece of jewelry you can wear many times and in diverse situations.
Keep your jewelery in a space that is dry and doesn’t have any air flow. Store them in a closed jewelry box or small drawstring bag for maximum protection. Certain metals begin to tarnish when exposed to humidity. It is possible to polish precious metals, but polishing non-precious metals will damage the coating, which makes the copper that metal was covering show.
If you’re shopping for an individual who likes unique pieces of jewelry, you should consider purchasing an item that is made specifically for this person. A unique piece to match their personality shows thoughtfulness and creativity, which is exactly what you want to express to a person you care enough about to buy jewelry for.
When shopping for sterling silver jewelry, it is a good idea to bring a small magnet along with you. You can detect fake sterling silver with the magnet, since non-precious metals are drawn to magnets. True sterling silver will also have a mark on it to indicate its quality, such as “.925” or “ster”. If the piece of presumed silver is not marked, be skeptical that is real silver. It could very well be a fake.
Put your make up on before the jewelery. Dirt and oil accumulate in the small crevices of jewelry, and can make it look dull and shabby. In particular, this hint is aimed towards your necklaces and earrings.
Ask about a jeweler’s insurance policy before buying anything. This is so that if something happens to your piece, you can return it to have it replaced or repaired. You can even find insurance on jewelry pieces that were stolen or misplaced.
Know what you want to do with jewelry prior to purchasing it. You want to ensure that you purchase a piece of jewelry that you will actually wear. When choosing a piece of jewelry, take into account what you will be wearing it with.
Buy Costume Jewelry
Avoid both steam and dry saunas. Both heat and moisture will damage your jewelery.
If you like to buy costume jewelry, make sure that you examine the condition carefully. Costume jewelery pieces can be expensive but they are not worth the investment if they look too old. You’ll get more return on your investment later if you buy costume jewelry in good condition.
It is vitally important that each of your bracelets and necklaces have a strong clasp attached to them. Without a solid clasp, your pendant, chain or expensive stone is at risk for loss. You should add a safety clasp on any expensive jewelry pieces. An additional clasp — or clasps — can be added to particularly priceless items to keep them extra safe.
Give the jewelry a test-run by wearing it for a day. Does it feel comfortable and hang properly? By wearing it yourself, you can also gauge the ruggedness of the piece.
Do not swim while wearing jewelry. Your jewelry’s luster and life can be damaged from the chlorine that is present in the pool water. Over time, salt water is just as harmful to your jewelry. Take your jewelry off first to keep it from becoming damaged or tarnished.
Costume Jewelry
To conveniently hang your necklaces, try using robe hooks. You can hang a whole row of these small pieces of hardware along a wall or the back of a closet door, then hang your necklaces in groups by color or length. This can make your bedroom look more stylish and help you select the best necklace for your outfit.
Take good care of your costume jewelry. Many embellishments on costume jewelry are only secured with glue rather than set into the piece. For this reason, costume jewelry should never touch water, and you should avoid using detergents on it. It is best to have two cloths ready, one warm with water and one dry, to use to wipe your jewelry. This will ensure that all of your costume jewelry looks like it did the day you bought it.
Don’t focus on brand when buying a piece of jewelry. Most people will not really know where you discovered the piece. Sellers try to get you to buy brand name jewelry just because it is more expensive. You can find fabulous quality from various brands.
Determine whether or not your stone received a treatment, and what kind, prior to purchasing it. Care for your gemstone is different, depending on how it was previously treated. Cleaning a treated gem using the wrong chemical might damage it.
If you do decide to purchase an expensive item of jewelry, try to choose a piece that won’t become outdated and can be worn for years ahead. High-priced jewelry is usually high in quality, but don’t forget to consider styles. Stick with classic styles. The trendy items of today may be grossly out of fashion tomorrow. Choose a classic, timeless piece.
Do not buy a piece of jewelery if you are not sure when you are going to wear it. There is no need to purchase a large amount of jewelry that you never plan on wearing. Bear in mind the contents of your wardrobe before you purchase a piece of jewelry.
Remember to combine large and very ornate jewelry with simple outfits. Try wearing a simple black dress for a gorgeous and classy outfit.
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. Take photos that clearly focus on the jewelry, without a distracting background.
Alexandrite is a beautiful and unique stone for jewelry. Depending upon the lighting levels, the stone may appear alternately green or purple. Alexandrite is most often used in earrings, pendants and rings.
The diamond cut and clarity can make the stone more appealing than the size. You must think of the person who will be wearing the jewelry.
Try layering childhood jewelry with bigger, modern pieces so that you can keep wearing memories from childhood without looking immature or dated. A simple pendant will add some flare to a grouping of several necklaces when they are all in the same style.
Using robe hooks will help to stop necklaces from becoming tangled. The small hooks can be hung just about anywhere and will allow you to neatly organize and display your necklaces. 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.
If your ideal wedding band is too expensive, you can temporarily purchase something more affordable and upgrade later. Anniversaries and other occasions will provide ample opportunity to give more special, unique gifts such as the ring you originally desired. There is even the opportunity to trade the ring back to some jewelers if you need a bigger size.
Learning as much as you can about jewelry will increase your success in choosing the right piece, caring for your existing items and making informed decisions. If you have the knowledge you need ahead of time you’ll need to spend less time learning, therefore you’ll have more time to actually enjoy jewelry. Apply these tips so that you will have a nice and easy time buying jewelry.
Previously owned jewelry can be a great bargain. They’re usually just as good as new pieces but are much cheaper.