It doesn’t matter whether you are purchasing jewelry for loved ones or yourself. It’s important that you know the proper methods of purchasing, selling, and caring for your jewelry. You will find some great suggestions to increase your understanding in these matters when you read this article.
If you want to buy sterling silver pieces, use a magnet and examine the jewelry very carefully. Jewelry made with non-precious metals will be attracted to the magnet, revealing any fakes. If your silver is sterling, you will also notice a mark on the piece. This mark might state .925, sterling, or ster. If you don’t see such a mark, you might want to reconsider the purchase. This is usually an indication that the piece is fake.
Keep your jewelry looking like new by wiping it with a polishing cloth. These cloths can replace the need for chemicals or solvents during the process. Use the dual-sided cloth to gently buff your jewelry as you would a delicate glass. Use the polishing side first and, then the other side to make your jewelry shine.
Pay attention to the types, sizes, and colors of jewelry that the person wears. Noticing these things lets you choose jewelry more suited to their tastes.
Keep your jewelery in a space that is dry and doesn’t have any air flow. Keep them stored safely in a closed, dark area, like a jewelry box or drawstring bag. All metals will tarnish if they are subjected to too much air and humidity. Polishing will work to restore the color and shine for precious metals, but with non-precious metals, polishing will not help the change in color.
Collecting costume jewelry is a popular pastime, but if you wish to participate, be careful of the condition of the jewelry. If you do not maintain the piece, it will depreciate in value. Maintaining a piece of costume jewelry’s condition preserves the beauty and value that attracted you in the first place.
Costume Jewelry
Consider the stones whenever you buy jewelry. The gemstone you choose should work with your skin tone and suit your personality. If you choose a neutral color it will match anything you wear. There is no point in buying something that is not functional.
If you like to collect costume jewelry pieces, become very choosy about each piece’s condition. Costume jewelry can be very expensive and a great investment, but a piece that shows too much wear and tear will not be worth the money or time. A piece in good condition will be much more resourceful to you in the future.
Taking proper care of your jewelry requires careful consideration. Metals, gemstones and settings all have different storage and cleaning requirements. Cleaning and maintenance techniques that work perfectly on one stone might cause damage to another. Go ahead and ask a professional jeweler to find out exactly how you should be caring for your jewels.
Wear the jewelry piece for a day so that you can get an idea of how comfortable it is and if it hangs right. By wearing it yourself, you can also gauge the ruggedness of the piece.
One key thing to remember is to only put your jewelry on after you’ve applied your makeup. All the grime and dust from your makeup attracts jewelry. Therefore, putting on jewelry beforehand can make the piece look dingy. Earrings and necklaces are especially prone to this kind of contamination.
Stones are an important part of jewelry so ensure they factor heavily in your decision. Choose stones that complement your complexion and that best reflect your personality. Also think about what color clothing you wear often, and chose a neutral color that will match many of the outfits in your closet. You want to have plenty of opportunities to show off every piece.
Before you buy any gemstone, determine what, if any, treatment it received. Different treatments come with different requirements for cleaning and storage. If you use the wrong cleanser because you are uneducated about the gem, you could strip off the treatment and even damage the stone.
Costume jewelry needs special care. These pieces are often put together with glue, which does not last as long as other methods. Keep your costume jewelery away from water or chemicals. Use a gentle cloth, like microfiber, to clean it. One wet, then another, dry. This keeps dirt from building up and making your jewelry look dull.
If you are in the market for new jewelry, look for sales! Jewelry sales can save you a significant amount of cash. Look for great deals in old-fashioned newspapers, on the Internet, and even at retail stores. Sometimes, buying fashions that are out of style can save you more than half of their original price.
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.
If you have tangled necklaces, you can untangle them with ease. Don’t give up on getting the knots out, instead get a sheet of plastic wrap. Place your necklace on the wrap and put baby oil or mineral oil on it. Needles can be used to untangle it. Clean with warm, soapy water and gently pat dry.
You can use a brooch to make your belt stand out, since it is sure to be eye-catching. Pin it near your hip or your waist’s center.
Both types of saunas, dry and steam, should be avoided when wearing jewelry. The high heat and humidity in these areas can significantly damage your jewelry.
Your jewelry will stay cleaner if you wait until after you apply make-up to put it on. Jewelry can become dirty and dull if you put it on too early, this is because incomplete makeup routines will transfer grime to it. This tip is especially important when it comes to earrings and necklaces.
Make sure you look around for awhile when you decide you want to shop for jewelry. Every diamond is unique, and there will always be tiny flaws. Once you get to see the flaw up close, you may find that it doesn’t matter to you. In addition, different stores will price slightly different. The price is often dependent on the imperfections. It is important to look at various options to ensure you get the best quality diamond for the amount of money you can comfortably afford.
Jewelry that is well looked-after will always retain its investment cost, as well as providing you with strong sentimental value in the years ahead. When you give your valuable jewelry the proper care, you are protecting your investment and cherishing your memories. There is more to it than what you’ve read here, and continuing to learn can help you mazimize the wear and value of all your jewelry pieces for years to come.
Buying jewelry just because it is a name brand is not a good idea. It will be difficult for others to tell where you purchased an item, and if you’re only buying something because of the name, it could very well be overpriced. Quality jewelry can be found across a variety of brands.