Jewelry has different meanings from a token of love to an heirloom. No matter what kind of jewelry you want to buy and give, selecting the best pieces can be tricky. This article will give you the tips and tricks that you need to get the most from the money and time you devote to jewelry.
The use of polishing cloths are helpful in cleaning your jewelry. This is a natural way to shine all of your jewelry without relying on abrasives or other harsh chemicals. It’s easy, just use the dual-sided cloth to wipe down your jewelry, just as you would polish a beautiful glass. Use the one side designated for polish, and the other for making it shine.
Harsh Chemicals
If you are in the market to buy some silver jewelry, don’t forget to take a magnet along with you. Take the magnet with you to find fake pieces of jewelery, sterling silver will not stick to the magnet. Another way to tell if a metal is sterling silver is to check for a hallmark stamp, for example .sterling, .ster, or .925. If the item has no markings indicating its authenticity, then be wary.
Don’t use things that contain harsh chemicals like bleach, ammonia, acetone or turpentine, to clean your jewelry. Harsh chemicals will dull your stones and dissolve the enamel on your jewelry.
Your diamond shopping experience is missing something important if you are not comparison shopping. See what you like up close, and then compare it to other pieces that you look at. Less-scrupulous jewelry sellers have many ways to enhance the appearance of a sub-par diamond, so you have to stay alert.
Bring a magnet when shopping for sterling silver jewelery. You are able to detect fake pieces of sterling jewelry with a magnet, as non-precious metals are attracted by the magnet. Also, look to make sure that silver is hallmarked and stamped with .925, sterling or ster. If the piece that you are looking at is not hallmarked, this is usually the sign that it is a fake.
If you are interested in collecting costume jewelry, be sure to stay conscious of the condition. Even though it is not as expensive as its precious counterpart, costume jewelry represents a significant investment, one that can be lost if the pieces are allowed to get worn and broken. A good piece will give you many years of happiness and even gain value over time.
Ask about insurance from your jeweler before purchasing a new piece. In the unfortunate, but possible event that your jewelry gets damaged, the jeweler will be able to replace or fix it for you. You can even find insurance on jewelry pieces that were stolen or misplaced.
Taking good care of your jewelry is important if you want it to last. Different metals, stones, and settings have different needs to ensure proper maintenance. Something that may help one piece of jewelry might hurt another one. Your jeweler can give you instructions on proper handling if you are not sure.
As a collector of costume jewelry, you should investigate the condition of the pieces that you want to add to your collection Costume jewelry make good investments and they can be costly, but an item that shows major signs of usage will be a poor investment of your time and money. A good piece will give you many years of happiness and even gain value over time.
Special care is required for costume jewelry. Stones in costume jewelry are usually held in place with glue instead of a physical setting. You will need to avoid immersing your jewelry and make sure to stay away from the use of harsh chemicals. Wiping your jewelry off with with a slightly dampened cloth and then wiping it dry is usually sufficient to keep it clean. This will help your costume jewelry to continue looking great.
Research the proper methods for cleaning your jewelry. You should know that different materials require different maintenance. Each piece is individual in its needs so don’t assume what works well for one piece will work well for all. Speak with a knowlegeable jeweler if you do not know the best way to take care of your jewels.
Makeup isn’t for jewelry. Let your makeup dry before you put on a piece of jewelry. The dust, oils and particles from makeup rub off on jewelry; putting on jewels first means they will get dingy and dull with a film of makeup over them. This is extra important when you are cleaning necklaces or earrings.
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. Giving a gift that requires thought and creativity will make it even more special.
Determine whether or not your stone received a treatment, and what kind, prior to purchasing it. Gemstone treatment can affect the type of care the piece needs. You do not want to try to clean a treated gem with a solution that may strip the treatment and damage the gem in the process.
If you put on your jewelry only after you have put on your makeup, you will have to clean it less. 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.
Be careful when untangling your delicate necklaces. It’s easy to get frustrated when trying to get the knots out of a badly tangled necklace, but try using some plastic wrap before you call it quits. After you place the necklace on top of the wrap, cover it in baby oil. Use a sewing needle to untangle the necklace. Finally, use dish soap and dry gently with a towel.
Before you buy, ask if the gemstone has been treated, and the method for doing so. Different care is required for different treatments. You do not want to try to clean a treated gem with a solution that may strip the treatment and damage the gem in the process.
When you want to sell jewelry on the Internet, you should try to show it off in an attractive way. As the potential buyer cannot physically touch the piece, this is important so that the jewelry is presented in its best light. Avoid taking photographs of jewelery with backgrounds that distract from the piece.
When you are buying jewelery, make sure you know what you are going to use it for. There is nothing worse than a box full of unloved jewelry. Think about the outfits you can wear the jewelry with when you are choosing different pieces.
The size of the diamond is not always the most critical detail, the cut and clarity are important also. It is important to consider the character of the individual you are purchasing the diamond for.
More desirable than a big piece is the cut and clarity of the diamond. Be sure to consider the type of person that you are presenting the diamond to.
Brand name should not be the primary concern when buying jewelry. Nobody will realize where this piece came from, and the seller may sell the piece at a higher price because of this brand. It is easy to find quality pieces from a variety of brands.
Jewelry sets make excellent gifts for loved ones. You can easily get a set of jewelery at a good price. You can easily make that one purchase into two gifts for different occasions by breaking the set up and presenting it to them on the different days. By doing this, you’ll always have a gift ready and you know they’ll like it.
When looking to purchase a considerably expensive jewelry piece, purchase an item that will stay with you for a lifetime. Quality and durability are usually givens when you spend big, but style and fashion also come into play. Something that is trendy right now might look ridiculous in a few years. Select a classic piece that never goes out of fashion.
Buying jewelry just because it is a name brand is not a good idea. You’ll probably pay too much since a jeweler will be aware that you are probably buying the name and not the piece. Besides, many “regular” people won’t even recognize the brand when you wear it. You can find good, quality jewelry from a number of different brands.
Of course, higher gold prices also increases the cost for new gold jewelry. If you insist upon a gold ring or necklace, you can still save some money by compromising on karats. The best deal you will usually find is a piece of 18 karat gold, which is at least 75% pure gold.
Jewelry with onyx or crystal can make an impact and separate you from the crowd. You may find some other type of stone that you really love at a very nice price.
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 shopping for beads, stones and other jewelry findings, try to visualize a creative display fixture. Use your imagination. Many types of craft boxes make excellent display pieces.
A most commonly chosen stone used in jewelry is the ruby. You can find rubies in all nuances of red, from pale rose to deeper shades or almost brown. This beautiful jewel is very durable and can stand up to exposure to chemicals as well as a sharp impact. They make a great choice for jewelry due to its strength and beauty.
You’ll have a hard time spotting any difference between synthetic gemstones and natural ones. The artificial stones are nearly identical both physically and chemically to their natural counterparts, and they are incredibly inexpensive comparatively. Before purchasing jewelry that is claimed to be natural sapphire, you should hire an expert gemologist to look over it for you.
It can be quite tempting to buy a piece of jewelry that is out of your price range, so be sure to have a budget, and stick to it. It’s not wise financially to take on a large debt to purchase a ring, no matter how fabulous it is. Engaged couples who are young and not yet financially sound are better off purchasing an inexpensive starter ring. Once they have established themselves financially, they may choose to update the piece to increase its value.
Though this is not an ideal cleaner, it will do the job if you have nothing else. You can simply apply a small amount of the toothpaste to a soft cloth or paper towel. Gently rub your jewelry with the toothpaste, and carefully rinse with water. It may not be exactly like new, but it will look much better and less tarnished.
Jewelry that has been cared for properly retains its sentimental and economic value. With proper knowledge on how to care for your jewelry, you can keep your memories safe and the value of the jewelry high. There’s always more to learn, and as long as you keep discovering about the delight of jewelry, there’ll be more to enjoy.
You can save a lot of money buying used jewelry. Previously owned jewelry is often as nice as its newer counterparts. The prices for used jewelry are usually a fraction of new prices so you can save quite a bit.
Blue widgets can be confusing. The article you’ve just read has provided some excellent knowledge; however, you must continue to learn in order to remain up to date. Stay on top of any new innovations in the blue widget area.
About The Author
