Have you been thinking about venturing into the world of jewelry? Or perhaps you desire purchasing a gift for your friend? Either way, use these tips to get started.
If you are looking to purchase sterling silver jewelry make sure that you have a magnet with you and a good eye. Jewelry made with non-precious metals will be attracted to the magnet, revealing any fakes. Sterling silver always has some sort of stamp to indicate it is sterling. If there is no hallmark, the piece is probably not authentic and may, indeed, be counterfeit.
Do not clean your jewelry with chemicals such as bleach or ammonia. These chemicals can turn stones dull and even erode the enamel.
When you are shopping, think about the color or type of gem you want to buy. Jewels come in natural, synthetic and imitation forms. Natural and synthetic gems are real stones, but imitation is just plastic colored to look like the real thing. The difference here, however, is that synthetic is man-made in a laboratory while natural is found buried in the earth.
Pay attention to the type of metal they wear, such as white gold or yellow gold. Also notice if your loved one usually wears hoops or studs. These types of observations will provide a starting point to purchase an item they’ll cherish.
Jewelry is something that can last generations. Get jewelry from a jeweler with a good reputation to be sure that it’s of high-quality. You can tell when jewelry is of high quality, due to the excellent craftsmanship. A jeweler should know about each piece he sells, including the person that made it, the origin of precious stones or other materials and other history, such as previous owners for antique or estate pieces. You need to buy quality jewelry so that you can pass it down as an heirloom.
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. For more expensive pieces, look for a jeweler that offers insurance for lost or stolen items.
Always check with your jeweler about insurance policy options before buying anything. This is so that if something happens to your piece, you can return it to have it replaced or repaired. Some jewelers will offer insurance on jewelry that might have been stolen or lost.
Keep your jewelry free of tarnish to make it look its best. When wearing your jewelry, you should avoid exposure to water. Water exposure can cause different metals to become tarnished, dull or rusted. It is wise to place a single coat of transparent nail lacquer on jewelry in order to protect it.
To help maintain its appearance, take good care of it to keep it from getting tarnished. When you are close to water, do not wear your jewelry. Many pieces can become rusty, tarnished or dull when they are exposed to water. For added protection for your jewelry, try adding a thin coating of clear nail polish.
If you want to collect costume jewelry, concentrate on getting quality peices. Costume jewelery pieces can be expensive but they are not worth the investment if they look too old. Jewelry that’s in good repair can be a much better investment.
Wear the jewelry around for a day or so to be sure that it fits right and is comfortable. You can also make a better estimate of the jewelry’s durability after trying it out.
Wearing the jewelry yourself can help you decide if it will be appropriate for your intended recipient. Doing this also helps you see if the jewelery is long lasting or likely to break easily.
Costume jewelry should be treated differently than your other jewelry. Many of the stones and embellishments are just glued in instead of set in a professional setting. Don’t let them go under water or clean them with strong chemicals, or you could dissolve the glue. To properly care for it you need to use a cloth dampened with warm water. After wiping make sure to use another cloth to thoroughly dry it. This will make your current costume jewelry look great.
Think carefully about what stones you want in your 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. Taking these things into account will give you a piece of jewelry you can wear many times and in diverse situations.
An attractive brooch can increase visual interest and accent your waist. Think about placing it near your hip or at waist level.
If your “giftee” is a unique person, try finding a special piece that is crafted specifically for them. 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.
If you put on your jewelry only after you have put on your makeup, you will have to clean it less. If you put on makeup after you put on your jewelry, dust and particles from the makeup will migrate to the jewelry, which makes it dirty quite quickly. This method is especially helpful in caring for necklaces or earrings.
Accent a belt with a brooch to add more visual interest instantly. Pin the brooch on your belt in the center, or offset to one side.
Determine whether or not your stone received a treatment, and what kind, prior to purchasing it. Different treatments require different types of care. You don’t want to clean them with a type of solution that could strip the treatment or damage the gem.
If you are trying to sell jewelry on the Internet, make sure that you present it in an attractive way. An online buyer doesn’t get the opportunity to handle the jewelry, so photos of the piece have to speak for themselves. Make sure any photos of the jewelry focus on the item itself and don’t have distracting backgrounds or additional items.
If you are selling your jewelry online, make sure it is presented attractively. Handling jewelry often helps the customer make up his mind but this is not possible with online transactions. Make sure that the pictures focus specifically on the piece of jewelry with a background that enhances its beauty.
A diamond with brilliant clarity and a perfect cut can be more attractive, not to mention more valuable, than a stone that is larger but flawed. In addition, consider the characteristics and traits of the recipient of this diamond.
The cut of the diamond and its clarity can be more appealing than its size. Also, remember the person’s personality who will be receiving the diamond.
You now have some new, excellent advice concerning jewelry. As a result, you can have more confidence in selecting high-quality pieces, including diamonds, gemstones, beads and metals. If you choose quality jewelry, you will enjoy it for many years.
Every necklace, bracelet or anklet can benefit from a quality clasp. You risk losing an expensive or sentimental chain or gemstone pendant if the clasp is too loose. Valuable bracelets and necklaces should be secured with a safety clasp. Some people choose to use additional safety clasps in order to keep their priceless pieces safe while they have them on.