Jewelry has long been fascinating to people, so it’s no surprise that there are nearly endless options in designs. Below you will find tips to guide you in choosing pieces of jewelry you are guaranteed to cherish forever.
Use a polishing cloth to keep your jewelry clean and free from damage. This method ensures your jewelry stays shiny without having to use any chemical cleansers or solvents. Just polish each piece with the special cloth in the same way you would polish a piece of glass. Use a two-sided cloth to clean your jewelry, one for polishing, and the other for shining.
Don’t use acetone, ammonia, turpentine, bleach, or other harsh chemicals for cleaning them. Doing so can destroy enamel finishes, while clouding stones and crystals.
Bring a magnet when shopping for sterling silver jewelery. By using the magnet you can quickly determine if the jewelry item is made of a cheaper metal and not sterling silver. You will always find a hallmark stamp such as “.925” or “STER.” on genuine sterling, or alternately, it might simply say, “STERLING”. If your silver is not marked, it could be because it is not real!
Make sure you organize your jewelry properly. Precious metals and certain gemstones will tarnish if they are exposed to humidity, so keep the away from this. Avoid just throwing them into a box in an unorganized manner. This can damage the finer and more fragile pieces, and items like necklaces can entangle with each other and other pieces into a big mess.
Jewelry is an investment that should last forever. When you are shopping for your next piece, choose a reliable dealer. This can make all the difference in ensuring you get jewelry of the highest quality. Any high-quality jewelry will show superior craftsmanship, and will be well-made. Ask the jeweler what the origin of the piece is, like the maker and the origin of the stones. Put effort into your choice, so you can be sure that the piece will last generations.
Make sure to store your jewelry away from humidity and air. A drawstring bag or closed box offers the best protection from moisture in the air. Metals will become tarnished when exposed to 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.
Be sure to pay attention to details like type of metal and shape. Doing this will provide a good basis for where you should begin so that you can purchase a special piece for that special someone.
When purchasing sterling silver, take along a good magnifying glass, along with a small magnet. You can tell if a piece of silver is sterling or not by using a magnet. Sterling will not react to the magnet, but non-precious metals will be attracted. True sterling sliver always has some sort of hallmark stamp on it, such as .925, sterling or ster. If the piece you’re inspecting doesn’t carry such a mark, be careful, as it is likely a fake.
Before adding a piece of jewelry to your collection, research current trends. One of the few things that can enhance the appeal of a lovely piece of jewelry is knowing that it came at a great discount!
Do they often wear hoop earrings, or stud earrings? Do they show a preference for white or yellow gold? These answers should give you a reasonable starting point for your shopping.
Ask about any insurance a jeweler may offer when you are buying jewelry. 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. In certain instances, there may even be jewelry insurance available to cover loss or theft.
To help maintain its appearance, take good care of it to keep it from getting tarnished. Exposure to water can affect the finish, so avoid it. Lots of jewelry materials are dulled or tarnished by water exposure. To protect your jewelry from exposure, apply a single coat of clear nail lacquer to its surface.
To keep your jewelry looking great, take steps to prevent it from tarnish. If possible, remove your jewelry if you are around water. Water can cause some metals to lose their luster or to become tarnished or rusty. Clear nail polish can be used to protect your jewelry if you apply a very thin coat of it on your pieces.
Choose Stones
Give the jewelry a little test drive and wear it for a little bit to see if it is comfortable and lays right. This will also let you know how the piece holds up in every day environments.
The color gemstones are an important consideration when shopping for new jewelry. Choose stones that complement your complexion and that best reflect your personality. If your wardrobe is made up of a wide variety of colors, choose stones of a shade that will match whatever you choose to put on. As long as you’re spending money, it makes more sense to purchase something that is functional as well as beautiful.
Do some research on the best way to clean your particular piece of jewelry. You should know that different materials require different maintenance. What works well with one type of precious stone may actually harm another. If you’re not sure of how to properly care for your jewelry, seek advice from a reputable jeweler.
Costume jewelry needs special care. A lot of the stones in costume jewelery are glued in and not set in. Don’t submerge costume jewelry in water or clean it with harsh chemicals. 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. You will be able to maintain its nice appearance with this method.
One way to ensure that your jewelry stays clean is to put it only after you have applied your make-up and it has had time to set. All the grime and dust from your makeup attracts jewelry. Therefore, putting on jewelry beforehand can make the piece look dingy. This applies to necklaces and earrings more than anything else.
When buying jewelry for a one-of-a-kind person, buy them something equally unique. Look for something that fits their personality. Show your affection for the person by recognizing their unique qualities; put some thought into the purchase and be creative.
When selling a piece of jewelry online, you should aim to present the piece in an attractive manner. This is very important since customers cannot handle the jewelry in an online transaction. Don’t let the background overwhelm the picture.
Before you buy any item of jewelry, have a think about what your long term plans are for it. A large jewelry box full of items you never use isn’t a wise investment. Try to match the jewelry that you purchase with your style of clothing.
Avoid steam saunas and dry ones. This is because the extreme heat and moisture can cause serious problems to the piece.
Hit up several different stores when looking for diamond jewelry. Every diamond is unique and possesses particular flaws. Once you see the diamond up close and look it over, some of the flaws may not be as critical as you once thought. Different jewelers may price differently in regard to these flaws. It will pay to shop different jewelers while looking for the best diamond in your price range.
Comparison shopping for diamonds is critical. Every diamond is unique and possesses particular flaws. A diamond’s flaws must be seen in person for you to truly understand the impact it has on the stone’s beauty. Also, jewelers can adjust prices based on a specific diamond’s particular condition. 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.
A jewelry set makes an excellent present for that special someone. Jewelry in sets comes with a discount at many jewelry stores. You do not have to give your loved one the entire set at once. You can present him or her with one piece as each occasion comes around. This is a fabulous way to always have a gift that someone will love.
Any type of necklace or bracelet should have a strong clasp. If a clasp is not solid, you might end up losing your jewelry. You should add a safety clasp on any expensive jewelry pieces. For added protection, you may choose to use an additional clasp beyond the one you already have.
Ensure that the clasps of your jewelry are sturdy and reliable. It is extremely easy to lose your valuable chains, pendants and stones with jewelry that has a flimsy clasp. You can purchase a safety clasp to secure expensive pieces of jewelry. An additional clasp — or clasps — can be added to particularly priceless items to keep them extra safe.
If you have a bracelet or necklace made of gold, it’s possible to get a bit of money out of it without selling the whole piece. If you feel they are a little too long, just trim them a bit and sell the scraps. Then you will still have your jewelry and a little extra cash. Ensure that your items are real gold before doing this and, if you have enough, you can acquire a significant amount of cash from a reputable dealer.
You will want to avoid necklaces getting tangled, which can damage them. Try to find some attractive-looking hooks to hang them. Put these small hooks along a bedroom wall or even on a closet door to organize and hang your necklaces from. This organizational tip can help you from getting a tangled mess of necklaces in your jewelry box.
You should always remain within your budget when purchasing jewelry. Buying expensive jewelry and incurring debt just so you can wear the jewelry occasionally isn’t a smart financial decision. Engaged couples who are young and not yet financially sound are better off purchasing an inexpensive starter ring. After they are more financially sound, the ring can always be upgraded.
Make sure you apply these tips next time to think about buying jewelry. With all the many different designs of jewelry to be had, it can be confusing to know what to buy, but knowing the facts will be a huge help.
Take any fine jewelry you are considering selling to a gemologist or a certified 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.