No matter your reason for buying jewelry, you should understand how to responsibly buy and sell it. 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.
Keep your jewelery in a space that is dry and doesn’t have any air flow. Ideally, you should keep them in drawstring bags or in a jewelry box. Air and humidity can cause the metals that the jewelry are made of to tarnish. Precious metals, through some work and polish, can be restored to their original condition. Non-precious metals are coated, which means that polishing will allow copper metal to come through.
Don’t use harsh chemicals like turpentine or bleach to clean jewelry. These chemicals can turn stones dull and even erode the enamel.
Take the time to notice what kind of jewelry they already wear. For example, if they wear earrings, are they hoop or studs? Do they prefer white or yellow metals? These answers should give you a reasonable starting point for your shopping.
A magnet is a useful tool when shopping for jewelry in sterling silver. As a precious metal, silver should never be attracted to a magnet. Also, look to make sure that silver is hallmarked and stamped with .925, sterling or ster. If there is no hallmark, the piece is probably not authentic and may, indeed, be counterfeit.
If you buy jewelry from a jewelry store, ask if they offer insurance. Look for a good policy that lets you return damaged items. Some stores even insure jewelry against loss or theft.
Know the type of gem you’re buying, when you buy it. You have three options as far as the type of gem: natural, imitation and synthetic. Imitation has little value, as it is generally plastic, while synthetic and natural are considered to be real gems. Natural stones are found in the earth and are mined out, while synthetic ones are grown in laboratories.
If you like to collect costume jewelry pieces, become very choosy about each piece’s condition. If you do not maintain the piece, it will depreciate in value. Compare pieces for quality, because good ones stay high or even grow in value over time.
Most jewelry is intended to last for a life time. Don’t buy jewelry from less than reputable stockists if you expect your pieces to be of the highest quality. High-quality jewelry is durable and displays excellent craftsmanship. The jeweler should be able to give you a history on the piece, like who crafted it and where the stones came from if there are any. A quality item of jewelry will last a lifetime or more, so take the time to do your research.
The color gemstones are an important consideration when shopping for new jewelry. Certain stones will do a better job of complementing your skin tone and your personality than others. Also think about what color clothing you wear often, and chose a neutral color that will match many of the outfits in your closet. Buying something that does not work with multiple outfits is pointless.
When you are shopping for diamonds, there are ways to compare the stones. View the piece you are currently considering closely and then compare it against some other pieces that are in the running. Be alert, since there are various ways to deceive consumers into thinking a diamond is better then it really is.
Costume jewelry should be taken care of. Costume settings are often glued-in as compared to set-in. Take care not to use chemicals or lots of water in an attempt to clean your costume jewelry. Simply wipe it with a damp warm cloth, followed by a soft, dry cloth. You will be able to maintain its nice appearance with this method.
When you buy a piece of jewelery, inquire about the jeweler’s 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. In certain instances, there may even be jewelry insurance available to cover loss or theft.
You can use a brooch to make your belt stand out, since it is sure to be eye-catching. You have the option of placing it close to your hip, or at your waist near the center.
If you are wanting to collect costume jewelry, you should ensure you are aware of its condition. This type of jewelry can be extremely expensive and makes an incredible investment. However, this type of piece can have a lot of wear and tear, which wouldn’t be worth your money or time. A good piece will give you many years of happiness and even gain value over time.
Put your make up on before the jewelery. Putting jewelry on prior to applying makeup or hairspray allows gunk and grime from your beauty products to settle on the jewelry, leaving it dull and potentially harming the finish. This is particularly important in the case of necklaces and earrings.
Watch for jewelry sales if you’re in the mood to shop. Buying at the right moment can mean big savings. Locate the best prices online, in newspapers and in stores. Buying styles that are waning in popularity is often an excellent way to save money on original jewelry.
Before you buy, ask the jeweler if and how the gemstone was treated. The various treatments that gems are given means that they need to be cared for differently. Knowing the proper care techniques for your gemstone will prevent you from accidentally damaging it by stripping it of its protective treatment.
It is possible to remove the knots from jewelry that has become tangled. It’s easy to get frustrated with tangled necklaces, but saran wrap can come to the rescue. Place the tangled pieces on this plastic with some mineral or baby oil. You can use needles to unravel them. Wash with dishwashing liquid then pat dry.
Untangle your knotted messes of delicate chains and necklaces. Don’t give up on getting the knots out, instead get a sheet of plastic wrap. Place your jewelry on the plastic wrap and add a little baby oil. You would then untangle the necklace using needles. Once it’s untangled, use dish soap to wash the necklace and pat it dry.
When selling a piece of jewelry online, you should aim to present the piece in an attractive manner. Visuals are particularly important because customers cannot physically see or touch jewelery when they buy online. Make sure you take a photo of the jewelery in a place that will focus on it and not the background.
Dry saunas and steam rooms can cause damage to jewelry. Because of the high temperature and moisture in saunas, they can cause serious damage to your jewelry.
Hit up several different stores when looking for diamond jewelry. Every diamond varies and has individual flaws. When you see the diamond yourself, you may find certain flaws not to be that important. And each jeweler will set price differently according to flaws. You can make the most of your investment if you take the time to comparison shop and hunt down the best diamond that falls within your price range.
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. Some flaws may not seem that critical to you when you see the diamond in person. Additionally, keep in mind that the jeweler will have a unique pricing structure depending on his or her subjectivity. Shop several different jewelers to find the ideal diamond in your price range.
A jewelry set makes an excellent present for that special someone. You can often get a better price if you buy an entire set. You can separate pieces of the set and gift a piece to your loved one every holiday season. By doing this, you’ll always have a gift ready and you know they’ll like it.
If you’re going swimming, make sure you take off your jewelery first. The chlorine in pool water is very harsh and may cause your fine jewelry to appear dull. Over time, salt water is just as harmful to your jewelry. Your jewelry will last longer and stay more lustrous if you remember to take it off before getting into the water.
If you care for your jewelry well, it will be worth a fortune, in both in the sentimental and economic senses. By learning what you need to do to properly care for your jewelry, you are working to protect memories and the money invested in it. Educate yourself with the information available about caring for your jewelry and you will enjoy it for many years.
High gold prices are only one of the drawbacks of having your heart set on gold jewelry. However, you can still have a nice piece of gold jewelry at a lower price if you opt for lower karats. Gold that is deemed 18 karats contains at least 75 percent pure gold, and many consider this to be the best quality and value for the price.
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