It does not matter whether you buy it or receive it, it is important to understand the best way to sell, care for and buy jewelry. This article will provide you with some nifty tricks and tips for getting the maximum benefit out of any time or money you invest in jewelry.
Before dealing with harsh chemicals, try a polishing cloth to bring back the luster of your jewelry. This helps keep your jewelry shiny without the need for chemical cleansers, which can damage the pieces. Gently polish your jewelry with the two-sided cloth as if it were a mirror. Use one side to shine it and the other to polish it.
Be cautious about your jewelry storage. It’s better to keep pieces separate by using boxes, holders, hooks and other containers. Don’t throw piles into a box. Storing them improperly can damage the fragile pieces, and necklaces can get tangled with other pieces.
Take care to store your jewelry safely. Precious metals and certain gemstones will tarnish if they are exposed to humidity, so keep the away from this. Avoid simply piling them on top of each other in a box. Fragile jewelry could easily be damaged by doing this, not to mention the nuisance of having to untangle necklace chains that could get caught together.
Do some research on the gem in your new piece of jewelry before you buy. You have three options as far as the type of gem: natural, imitation and synthetic. Natural gems and synthetic gems are real gemstones, whereas imitation is just an item of plastic with gemstone colors. Natural stones are dug up out of the ground and synthetic ones are grown in a lab.
Keep your jewelry stored somewhere that is free from humidity or air. A box designed especially for jewelry gives the best protection, but a cloth bag can also work. Tarnish is a chemical reaction that happens when silver and other metals are exposed to moisture and air. While precious metals can be polished back to their original luster, non-precious metals are only coated in which case polishing causes the copper metal underneath to show through.
What color gold do they seem to favor – white or yellow? Do they normally wear a bracelet? What type of earrings do they prefer – drop and dangle or studs? Take a mental note of this important information. These answers should give you a reasonable starting point for your shopping.
When shopping for genuine sterling silver jewelry, you need both a discerning eye and 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. Another way to tell if a metal is sterling silver is to check for a hallmark stamp, for example .sterling, .ster, or .925. If you cannot find a stamp, you might be looking at a cheap imitation.
Inquire about insurance for your jewelry when you purchase it from a jeweler. Then, if something actually happens to the jewelry, you can return it or have it repaired. You might find some jewelers who are willing to insure it against loss and theft.
Make sure you know what kind of gem you are getting when you are buying jewelry. There are basically three distinct types: natural gems, synthetic gems and imitation stones. Natural gems and synthetic gems are real gemstones, whereas imitation is just an item of plastic with gemstone colors. They make synthetic stones in a lab, whereas natural stones come from the ground.
Try on a few different stones when you are shopping for jewelry. Think about your skin tone, and also think about your personality as you choose your favorite stones. Neutral colored jewelry is nearly always a good buy, because they blend in well with any outfit. A piece that is hard to wear is not as useful as one that goes with everything.
When shopping for diamonds, it’s best to comparison shop. Look at the pieces up close before purchasing them, and be sure to compare them to others. Less-scrupulous jewelry sellers have many ways to enhance the appearance of a sub-par diamond, so you have to stay alert.
Costume Jewelry
If you wish to keep a piece of jewelry looking fantastic, preventing it from tarnishing is important. Avoid wearing your jewelry near water. Water can cause some metals to lose their luster or to become tarnished or rusty. If you want to give your jewelry a measure of protection from this element, coat it thinly with clear nail polish.
Special care is required for costume jewelry. Costume jewelry is often put together using glue and other adhesives, unlike stoned that are set using metal. Don’t let them go under water or clean them with strong chemicals, or you could dissolve the glue. To care for it best, wipe your jewelry with a damp, warm cloth and dry it with a different cloth. This will ensure that all of your costume jewelry looks like it did the day you bought it.
If you like to buy costume jewelry, make sure that you examine the condition carefully. While normally is a beautiful investment, a piece of costume jewelry that is in poor condition is not worth buying. Maintaining a piece of costume jewelry’s condition preserves the beauty and value that attracted you in the first place.
Before you purchase gemstone jewelry, you should first determine if and how the stone was treated. Different care is required for different treatments. You want to avoid putting a solution on jewelry that has been treated, particularly if you do not know whether or not it will hurt the piece.
If you wear the piece for 24 hours, then you can be sure that it has been put together correctly and hangs nicely. This also helps you to see its durability.
When selling jewelry on the Internet, make the extra effort to present it in the best light possible. This is very important since customers cannot handle the jewelry in an online transaction. Make sure any photos of the jewelry focus on the item itself and don’t have distracting backgrounds or additional items.
Do some research on the best way to clean your particular piece of jewelry. Different styles of jewelry affect the way they need to be cared for; one type of metal will need a different treatment than another, for example. Processes that may work for one type of jewelry may be harmful to others. Consult with a jeweler if you are unsure exactly how to care for your own jewels.
Take the time to compare your options when shopping for diamonds. Every diamond is unique and has its own set of flaws. When you personally see the stone, some flaws can be less important. Furthermore, jewelers may be willing to extend a discount to compensate for certain types of flaws. To find a good diamond within your budget, really do your homework and shop around.
When you are buying jewelery for someone who is very different or eccentric, try going to a jeweler that will make you a piece that will fit their personality and add to their flair! A one-of-a-kind jewelry piece is a great way to show someone how much they mean to you.
Buying jewelry sets can be less expensive than purchasing separate pieces of the same value. Most jewelers offer special deals on jewelry when it is bought in sets, rather than each piece individually. You can then give a piece of the set to a loved one on several different occasions. That way you will never have to worry about what to get that person.
A brooch can add visual interest and an accent to an otherwise dull belt. You can add it anywhere on the belt that you think looks good.
An important part of your necklace or bracelet is having a quality clasp. You may end up losing a treasured or costly piece through no fault of your own. You can avoid this by looking at the clasps prior to purchasing new pieces. For very expensive items, like diamond necklaces or gold bracelets, a strong clasp is essential. It isn’t unusual for people to protect their most cherished jewelry with a second or even a third clasp.
Many times, the cut and clarity of a diamond outshines its actual carat weight. The intended recipient’s personality should play a role in diamond selection, too.
Onyx or crystal pieces can make their own statement. You don’t need to completely empty your wallet on a new jewelry piece to be pleased with the results.
If you are ready to spend a lot of money on a piece of jewelry, make sure it is something that will be with you for years to come. Quality is normally a given with higher expense, however, style should be considered as well. A modern cut may look wonderful with your style now but clash terribly with your timeless investment pieces several years down the line. Try and find classic items that never go out of fashion.
Gorgeous red rubies have been a favorite precious stone in jewelry throughout time for a few different reasons. Rubies come in different shades of red, though the most prized rubies are of the brightest reds. They can range from pinkish hues to the darkest, blood red colors. They are a durable stone, able to withstand daily wear and tear and even exposure to some chemicals. So, they’re not only beautiful, they’re strong, making them an excellent choice for jewelry.
If you own gold jewelry, you can earn money from the necklaces and bracelets without giving up your collection. By removing several inches of excess material, you will be able to sell a small amount of gold while still having enough of the piece to wear. 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.
It can be hard to tell the difference between natural and lab grown sapphires and rubies. Synthetic stones cost much less than high-quality ones that come from a mine, and their physical and chemical properties are virtually identical. Before you buy a piece of jewelry sold as natural sapphire, get a reputable gemologist to examine it for natural inclusions.
As you approach the very personal decision to invest in jewelry, take special care to make purchases that fall within your current budget. Getting yourself in a lot of debt just so you can own an incredible ring is a terrible financial decision. A young couple just starting out may need to buy a less expensive ring and upgrade later. In later years, when finances are more abundant, a more expensive replacement could be purchased.
If jewelry is handled properly, it can be worth a great deal, both in monetary value and in the emotions that are tied up in it. You can protect your jewelry by understanding how to care for your jewelry. There is a lot more information out there, so keep educating yourself so that you will know how to get the most out of your jewelry.
Clean your jewelry with a soft, moist cloth to prevent damage to the setting. Then polish the entire jewelry piece with a dry, soft cloth. Avoid exposing your jewelery to chemicals, water or steam cleaners.