Jewelry is beloved not only for its connotations, but also for its beauty. Jewelry gives material form to memories and acts as a symbol of important relationships, such as engagements and marriages. You’ll be more successful at buying or selling jewelry if you learn more about jewelry in general, as well as the history and memories behind pieces you’d like to sell or acquire.
If you are shopping for sterling silver jewelry, you’ll need a magnet and an eye for the real thing. Imitations will be attracted to your magnet. This is an easy way to recognize quality. You can generally tell genuine sterling silver by its stamp, which will look something like “.925 ster.” If the piece that you are looking at is not hallmarked, this is usually the sign that it is a fake.
Be careful on how you store all of your jewelry together. For best results, separate different pieces into different boxes, compartments or hooks. Jewelry should not be lumped together in a pile. Not only will your necklaces get all tangled up, you risk damaging all your fragile and fine jewelry pieces.
Before you buy a gemstone, ask what type of gemstone it is. There are three different types: natural, synthetic and imitation. Natural and synthetic gemstones are both actual gemstones, while an imitation gemstone is just a plastic mold made to look like a gemstone. Natural stones are found in the earth and are mined out, while synthetic ones are grown in laboratories.
Keep your jewelry in a relatively air-tight container, and minimize its exposure to humidity. A jewelry box or drawstring bag out of a humid area is ideal. Air and humidity will make the metals in jewelry tarnish. It is possible to restore precious metals to their previous state, but it’s better to avoid damaging them in the first place.
Compare lots of diamonds before you settle on one to buy. Look at what you want very closely, and keep that in mind so you can compare it with other diamonds you look at. There are deceptive tricks that can be used to enhance a diamond, so you need to be on the lookout.
Sterling Silver
Pay close attention to the design and style of their earrings, which may be hoops, gauges, studs, or something new. He or she may also have a preference towards gold, silver, or a different material. This way, you know where you should start when buying a gift.
Bring a magnet when shopping for sterling silver jewelery. Take the magnet with you to find fake pieces of jewelery, sterling silver will not stick to the magnet. 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.
Keep your jewelry pieces looking beautiful by protecting them from tarnish. When wearing your jewelry, you should avoid exposure to water. A lot of metals will rust, tarnish or dull when they come in contact with water. Use a thinner coat of your clear nail polish on your jewelry for extra protection.
Compare lots of diamonds before you settle on one to buy. Find a few reference pieces that you like, and see if other diamonds can do better. There are many ways to make a diamond look better than it really is.
You should try and wear the jewelery once to see if it will hang on you right. This will also help you to determine if the piece is sufficiently durable.
When purchasing jewelry from a respected jeweler, inquire as to whether they offer an insurance policy. That way, if something were to happen to your jewelry, you can easily bring it back to the jeweler who will fix or replace it. You might find some jewelers who are willing to insure it against loss and theft.
If you are presenting a gift to someone who has their own unusual style, look for an item of jewelry that is in line with their clothing and lifestyle choices. Giving a gift that requires thought and creativity will make it even more special.
Try on a few different stones when you are shopping for jewelry. Choose pieces that have stones which express your personality and those that make you feel great when you wear them. Neutral colored stones go well with many different outfits. Don’t even bother to buy something that doesn’t function properly.
When you are looking for new jewelry, the first thing to do is to check what is on sale. The best sales can offer deep discounts on premium pieces. Check the newspaper, the Internet, and signs in store windows to find the best sales. Sometimes, you can save about half the original price on trendy pieces that aren’t as trendy anymore.
If you are buying jewelry for someone who values her individuality, find a one-of-a-kind piece or commission a piece designed specifically for her. 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.
Make sure that you regularly untangle delicate, knotted necklaces. Before giving up on a tangled knotted mass of precious metal, source some plastic wrap. Put the necklace on the plastic wrap and cover it with a little baby oil. Use a sewing needle to untangle the necklace. Next, use dish soap to clean the piece. Finish by using a soft cloth to pat it dry.
If you put on your jewelry only after you have put on your makeup, you will have to clean it less. The sparkle of a piece of jewelry is a magnet for loose or wet makeup, which will leave it tarnished and dingy. Especially keep this tip in mind for necklaces or earrings.
When photographing jewelry for online sale, you need to make the presentation of the piece as attractive as possible. This is quite key since your customer can not physically see and feel the jewelry when purchasing it online. Make sure any photos of the jewelry focus on the item itself and don’t have distracting backgrounds or additional items.
When you are interested in buying some jewelery you should expect to find good sales. If the deal is good, you may be able to save some serious money! You will find advertisements for the sales in a variety of media mediums including on the net, in newspapers, and also in the stores themselves. Buying styles that are going out of fashion can be a huge money saver, even getting up to 50% off.
Steam saunas and dry ones are very much included. The moisture and heat can cause your jewelry to become damaged.
Plastic Wrap
When buying diamonds, remember to shop around. No diamond is without its flaws, and every piece is unique. Some flaws may be less important to you once you actually see it in person. Jewelers have some flexibility with the price depending on the severity of the flaws. Don’t just look at one jewelry shop. Take the time to really look around until you find the best deal possible.
Untangling knotted chains can be easy if you know how to do it. Believe it or not, you can use plastic wrap to untangle jewelry. Place your jewelry on the plastic wrap and add a little baby oil. You can use needles to unravel them. Use a mild liquid soap to remove the oil and then pat dry with a towel.
It is crucial that all bracelets and necklaces have good clasps. Without a decent clasp, you risk losing your expensive stones or chains. A safety clasp should always be used on expensive jewelry. It is common to have two or three clasps for expensive jewelry.
Before you buy any item of jewelry, have a think about what your long term plans are for it. You want to ensure that you purchase a piece of jewelry that you will actually wear. Take a look in your closet and consider what outfits your jewelry will accessorize.
Use attractive robe hooks to hang your necklaces, keeping them tangle-free. With the right space, you can incorporate a row of these and use them for organizing and hanging necklaces easily. This keeps your necklaces from balling into a knotty cluster in the jewelry box, and it looks lovely, too.
It is critical that the photos and descriptions you use to sell jewelry online are attractive and high-quality. This is important to do because when someone purchases something online, they don’t have it in front of them to feel and touch. Take photos of your jewelry in a place where the focus is on the piece instead of the background.
You can make a real statement with a stand-out piece of onyx or crystal jewelry. Alternatives to diamonds can dazzle, so consider your options if you want to be kind to your wallet.
Both types of saunas, dry and steam, should be avoided when wearing jewelry. Significant damage can occur to the piece because of the high moisture and high temperatures.
An excellent suggestion is to keep in mind that large jewelry should be combined with simple outfits. Opt instead for a simple, monotone outfit which will showcase your jewelry.
When buying jewelry, you should not buy something only because of the brand. Many designer pieces are of the same quality than other, more affordable baubles. For example, if you opt for a ring from Cartier, you are actually paying more for the name than you are for the piece itself. There are thousands of quality brands of jewelry available for purchase.
When you make jewelry to sell at flea markets, craft sales and holiday sales, you may be at a loss for ways to display it beautifully. While you are on the lookout for jewelry-making items, also keep an eye out for things from which you can make creative displays. You can use items like cigar boxes, baskets and other unusual items to display your jewelry in an interesting way.
Make sure jewelry you purchase can last for a long time. Quality and durability are usually givens when you spend big, but style and fashion also come into play. Very often pieces that are currently trendy wind up looking foolish later. Try and find something that is timeless.
Natural rubies and sapphires are hard to tell apart from their chemically produced counterparts. Synthetic stones have the same chemical and physical makeup as their natural counterparts but bear a significantly smaller price. Before purchasing jewelry that is claimed to be natural sapphire, you should hire an expert gemologist to look over it for you.
When it comes to jewelry, whether you are buying, selling or simply wearing and enjoying it, you need good information to protect your investment. All jewelery comes with some sort of human emotion attached.
Alexandrite is a unique stone, which many often forget to consider. This stone will change colors from green to purple, depending on the sun and temperature. Alexandrite is often set in earrings, rings, or pendants.