You need have a basic knowledge of jewelry before you engage in the purchase or sale of precious pieces. You may be uncertain where to start.
Don’t use acetone, ammonia, turpentine, bleach, or other harsh chemicals for cleaning them. These chemicals can turn stones dull and even erode the enamel.
Don’t use harsh chemicals like turpentine or bleach to clean jewelry. These can erode both the color and the materials of your jewelry.
If you are shopping for sterling silver jewelry, you’ll need a magnet and an eye for the real thing. You are able to detect fake pieces of sterling jewelry with a magnet, as non-precious metals are attracted by the magnet. You can generally tell genuine sterling silver by its stamp, which will look something like “.925 ster.” If your silver is not marked, it could be because it is not real!
Take a moment to consider how your valuable jewelry is stored and sorted. It is recommended to separate the items stored by using compartments, boxes, holders and hooks. Don’t just put them in one huge, unorganized pile. Heavy pieces should not be placed in the same compartment with fragile pieces.
Take note of whether they wear hoop earrings or studs, yellow gold or white gold, an ankle bracelet, etc. This information will allow you to purchase that special piece that they will treasure for life.
Know the type of gem you’re buying, when you buy it. There are basically three distinct types: natural gems, synthetic gems and imitation stones. While both natural and synthetic stones are still real, imitation is just glass or plastic made to look like the natural stone. Natural stones are found in the earth and are mined out, while synthetic ones are grown in laboratories.
If you can prevent your jewelry from tarnishing, it will surely look much more attractive. Try not to wear jewelry when you are around water. Lots of jewelry materials are dulled or tarnished by water exposure. Apply clear nail polish to your jewelery as an added protection.
Observe them and see what jewelry pieces the happen to be wearing, such as necklaces, earrings, or rings. Also take note of any metals or stones they seem to prefer. Once you are aware of their preferences, you will be in a better position to determine what to buy them.
Make careful note of the condition of costume jewelry you wish to collect. 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. Make sure you have a piece that is in excellent condition, because this will be a lot more fruitful for you down the road.
When you buy a piece of jewelery, inquire about the jeweler’s insurance policy. If you can get insurance, you know that you will be covered if something happens to your jewelry. Some jewelers will offer insurance on jewelry that might have been stolen or lost.
Wearing the jewelry yourself can help you decide if it will be appropriate for your intended recipient. By wearing it yourself, you can also gauge the ruggedness of the piece.
To maintain the shine and finish on your jewelry, do not put it on until you’ve done your hair and makeup. 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.
The color gemstones are an important consideration when shopping for new jewelry. The stone will look best on you if it is complementary to your skin tone, eye, and hair color. Your best bet is to choose a natural color to match any outfit. Having a beautiful piece of jewelry is pretty worthless if you cannot wear it.
Make sure you look into the history of your gemstone, especially if it was treated at all. You will need to know what type of care it might require as a result of the 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.
Take good care of your costume jewelry. Costume settings are often glued-in as compared to set-in. Don’t immerse costume jewelry in water, and never wash costume jewelery pieces with harsh chemicals. Use a gentle cloth, like microfiber, to clean it. One wet, then another, dry. This keeps costume jewelry looking its best.
When deciding on which jewelry pieces to buy, look through the sales advertisements. If the sale is a good one, you can save a lot of money. Check for the best sales in the paper, online, and in store windows. Sometimes, buying fashion styles that are on their way out can save you almost half of the original price.
Apply your makeup before putting on your jewelry. 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 is particularly important with necklaces and earrings.
Before you purchase a new piece of fine jewelry, think about how you will wear it. A big supply of jewelry that you never wear is of little use to you. When choosing a piece of jewelry, take into account what you will be wearing it with.
Always look for discounts if you want jewelery. You can save huge amounts of money if you are savvy. Sales can be found online, in store windows, or in your local newspaper. If you buy the older fashions that are from the previous season, you can save a lot of money.
If you are selling your jewelry online, make sure it is presented attractively. An online buyer doesn’t get the opportunity to handle the jewelry, so photos of the piece have to speak for themselves. Take pictures of jewelry in an environment that will put the focus on just the piece, not the background.
If you are trying to sell jewelry online, it is important to post ample photographs from many angles so that each piece is presented in a pleasing and accurate way. Since your potential customer will not be able to examine the piece in person, your presentation is very important. Don’t let the background overwhelm the picture.
As you can see, selling or buying jewelery requires you do your homework, and some hard work, so you can get the most out of it either way. With these tips in place, you can start experiencing success.
Before you purchase a diamond ring, necklace or bracelet, shop around and compare your options. Every diamond is unique, and each will have some flaws. Some flaws are not as obtrusive as others, but you need to see a diamond in person to discern if a flaw is important or not to you. Different jewelers may price differently in regard to these flaws. Shop around and find the best diamond you can for the price you can afford.