Jewelry has been with mankind forever, and the number of designs and options available continues to grow at a furious pace. Use the following tips to help you select your next piece of jewelry.
Jewelry is best stored in an area with low humidity. To protect your jewelry it is important to secure it in a small bag with a drawstring, or in a jewelry box that remains closed a majority of the time. Continued exposure to humidity extremes or air causes metals typically used in jewelry to tarnish. Precious metals can often be polished to remove most tarnish. Non-precious metals often have a single coat of metal. Therefore, polishing them can remove the coat and show the copper that is found underneath.
Take a moment to consider how your valuable jewelry is stored and sorted. It is better to use boxes, compartments, holders, and hooks for keeping pieces separate. Do not ever just throw them in a pile. Not only will your necklaces become hopelessly tangled, you risk harming any fragile pieces as they bump and scrape against each other as you search the box.
Be sure that you understand the kind of gemstone that is in the jewelry that you are purchasing. Three different kinds of gems are available for purchase: imitation, synthetic and natural. Synthetic and natural are real stones, while the imitation ones are plastic that is colored. Natural stones are found underground and synthetic gems are created in a lab.
Sterling Silver
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. This is a great place to start when picking out that special item.
When you are shopping for jewelry in sterling silver, be sure to examine the piece closely, and take along a magnet for metal testing. You are able to detect fake pieces of sterling jewelry with a magnet, as non-precious metals are attracted by the magnet. Sterling silver should always bear a stamp that says Sterling, Ster. or .925. If there is no marking on the piece, it may not be sterling silver.
Before you buy a new piece of jewelry, look at what the current trends are. Price a variety of similar items before buying an expensive piece.
You need to know the type of gem that you are purchasing. A stone may be natural, synthetic or imitation. Synthetic and natural are real stones, while the imitation ones are plastic that is colored. Natural comes from the ground, while synthetic ones are created in a lab.
Ask about a jeweler’s insurance policy before buying anything. If your jewelry gets damaged or broken, you can come back to the store and have it repaired or replaced. In some instances, you can even insure your jewelry against loss or theft.
Before you buy a new piece of jewelry, research the latest trends. Price a variety of similar items before buying an expensive piece.
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. Think about how the stones will work with your style, and pick neutral colors that go with everything in your wardrobe. It’s a waste of time buying something that you won’t wear regularly.
Wear jewelry for at least a day to see if it hangs correctly and is comfortable. By wearing it yourself, you can also gauge the ruggedness of the piece.
Costume jewelry needs to be handled and stored delicately. Many of the costume type settings are glued-in, rather than set-in. Costume jewelry should never be immersed or make contact with harsh chemicals. Use a damp cloth, then dry it with another clean, dry cloth. This keeps costume jewelry looking its best.
Costume Jewelry
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 one-of-a-kind jewelry piece is a great way to show someone how much they mean to you.
Costume jewelry needs to be handled and stored delicately. Many of their settings are glued instead of set. Avoid using harsh chemicals on these pieces, and do not immerse them. The most effective way to safely clean them is wiping with a damp cloth, then drying with a different, soft cloth. This will help your costume jewelry to continue looking great.
Untangling knotted chains can be easy if you know how to do it. Don’t be tempted to give up on the tangled metal. It’s plastic wrap to the rescue. Place the chain in on the plastic wrap and add a few drops of baby oil onto the knots. Do the untangling yourself with a pair of needles. When finished, wash it with a little dishwashing liquid and pat dry.
If you are interested in acquiring new jewelry pieces, try to find great sales. Jewelry sales offer big savings. Scope out the sales in every store you can find. Consider buying something that is out of style to get a better deal.
When selling jewelry via the Internet, be sure to develop attractive and persuasive imagery of the pieces. This is very important because a customer cannot look at the jewelery if they are buying it online. Be sure your photographs show good details of the jewelry and few, if any, details of the surroundings.
Even knotted necklaces with delicate loops can be untangled. The first thing you need to do is get a piece of plastic wrap. Put the chain on the wrap, then pour on a bit of mineral oil or baby oil. Using sewing needles, you should be able to separate the knot. Wash them using dish soap, and then pat dry them.
Buying jewelry sets can be less expensive than purchasing separate pieces of the same value. You can easily get a set of jewelery at a good price. You can split up the set and give the loved one a piece of jewelry as each holiday comes around. It is a great way to make sure that you always have a present for someone and that it is something they will love.
Before you buy any item of jewelry, have a think about what your long term plans are for it. There is no need to purchase a large amount of jewelry that you never plan on wearing. When making a selection, remember your outfits, clothing and accessories.
It is vitally important that each of your bracelets and necklaces have a strong clasp attached to them. It is extremely easy to lose your valuable chains, pendants and stones with jewelry that has a flimsy clasp. A safety clasp should always be used on expensive jewelry. It isn’t unusual for people to protect their most cherished jewelry with a second or even a third clasp.
When photographing jewelry for online sale, you need to make the presentation of the piece as attractive as possible. A nice photo and description is essential since your online customer will not be able to see the piece in person. Photograph jewelry in a setting that concentrates the viewer’s attention solely on the jewelry; avoid distracting backgrounds.
To keep your necklaces tangle-free, look for pretty, embellished robe hooks. Install a series of these hooks on a closet door or wall to hang necklaces. You can organize the pieces by style, length or color. Hanging your necklaces will keep them looking nice, keep them from becoming tangled together and can work as a beautiful display as well.
A jewelry set makes an excellent present for that special someone. You will find that a great deal of stores offer discounts when you buy sets of jewelry. You can divide up the set into individual pieces and give them out one at a time. This way you can have a gift ready for someone months in advance and know that they will like it.
If you plan to invest a great deal of money in a piece of jewelry, opt for a piece that will last many years. While the price tag does frequently denote the quality of a piece, you should also consider whether a piece is crafted in a timeless style. Although the piece might be in style right now, it might be considered passe in just a few years. Try and find classic items that never go out of fashion.
Don’t wear jewelry when swimming. The chlorine in a pool can tarnish or corrode jewelry, decreasing its value. Salt water is similarly abrasive to some jewelry. Take off your jewelry before diving in the water to keep them looking their best.
Remember to combine large and very ornate jewelry with simple outfits. Instead, wear the classic “little black dress” or other solid background to highlight your interesting jewelry item.
Robe hooks are a great way to keep necklaces safe and separate. Put these small hooks along a bedroom wall or even on a closet door to organize and hang your necklaces from. This will avoid necklaces getting tangled and knotty, and it is the perfect alternative to a jewelry box.
Rubies have long been one of the most popular stones for jewelry and for good reason. Authentic rubies are red 100% of the time, but red comes in many shades from pinkish to blood red. They are also extremely durable and can withstand many chemicals and being hit. Their ability to last many years make them a wonderful choice for jewelry.
If you are going to buy a very expensive piece of jewelry, buy something that will last you for years. A pricey piece is usually of good quality, but don’t overlook the importance of styling. Something that is cool and trendy now might not look so stylish in a couple of years. Look into buying something that will not go out of style.
Mixing gold and silver pieces has become a very popular look for wearing jewelry. To do this well, you should have a jewelry item that has both gold and silver in it. If you do not do this, the look will appear tacky and not stylish.
If your gold bracelets and necklaces are too long for you, it’s possible for you to make some money off the gold without losing the jewelry. Instead, you can just trim off some excess chain and sell it, and keep the important part to wear. Genuine gold is valuable even in small pieces, so consider the option of removing links in chains or charms.
To clean a gem or bauble in a setting, use a damp cloth and be very gentle with the piece. Follow this by drying it with a separate soft cloth. Never expose costume and fashion jewelry to harsh chemicals or steam cleaners.
It is hard to tell the difference between natural and fake rubies and sapphires. Both are beautiful and share physical properties, but created stones sell at an enormous discount over the cost of flawless mined stones. A qualified gemologist will be able to tell a natural sapphire by its natural inclusions, so have the stone checked before purchase.
Before selling a piece of jewelry, you should have it appraised by a gemologist or accredited appraiser. This will ensure that you get an honest quote, and you can use the information to help you know what offers are good and which are not when selling.
A beautiful and oftentimes overlooked gemstone is Alexandrite. It displays a spectrum of color, from green to purple, depending on whether you are outdoors or indoors. Some of the most common places to find alexandrite are earrings, rings, and pendants.
Instead of seeing buying a wedding ring as a one-off experience, think about buying a small ring initially and then saving for a more expensive one at a later time. You can always get the perfect ring on another important occasion, such as a later anniversary. You can even sell back your ring to the store where you bought it, or trade it for a different one.
The tips above have hopefully cleared up some of the questions you have about jewelry. It should help you pick out just the right piece. There are millions of different kinds of jewelry, and they can be hard to sort through.
While there are better ways to clean your jewelry, this will do the trick when you are in a bind. Put a tiny amount of your toothpaste on a clean cloth. Buff your jewelry using the cloth to remove any tarnish, then rinse with clear water. Your finished product will not look flawless, but the tarnish will be removed.