No matter who you are buying jewelry for or why you are buying it, you must know how to responsibly purchase, sell and adequately care for it. You will find some great suggestions to increase your understanding in these matters when you read this article.
Do not use any chemicals on your jewelery stones. Chemicals can eat away the stones or enamel on your stones.
Sterling Silver
Separate your jewelry for storage to avoid getting pieces tangled. Boxes, holders, compartments, and hooks are all valuable tools for storing jewelry safely. Throwing the jewelry together into the jewelry box is a no-no. 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.
When purchasing sterling silver, take along a good magnifying glass, along with a small magnet. Jewelry made with non-precious metals will be attracted to the magnet, revealing any fakes. In addition, sterling silver pieces are always stamped with silver hallmarks indicating such factors as the degree of purity, the manufacturer’s symbol, and the date of manufacture. Some of the most common hallmarks are “925, “ster,” “sterling,” and “sterling silver.” Be wary of jewelery without any kind of hallmark, as often it is fake.
A piece of jewelry should be long lasting. When selecting jewelry, a reputable jeweler is indispensable to ensuring you get quality items. If a piece of jewelry is of high quality, it should be made well and exhibit top-flight craftsmanship. The jeweler must be able to provide a history of the piece. This will tell you who made the piece, and where the components came from. This way, you can ensure you are paying a fair price. It is essential to purchase high-quality jewelry if you want it to become a treasured heirloom passed down for generations.
When you are purchasing a new piece of jewelry, be aware of the gemstone that it contains and what it is made of. Three different kinds of gems are available for purchase: imitation, synthetic and natural. Synthetic and natural are real stones, while the imitation ones are plastic that is colored. Natural gems are those that are actually from the earth, whereas synthetic ones are made in labs.
Pay attention to the type of metal they wear, such as white gold or yellow gold. Also notice if your loved one usually wears hoops or studs. Paying attention to these aspects of their current wardrobe will help you make a purchase they are more likely to enjoy.
Always shop around when buying a diamond. View the piece you are currently considering closely and then compare it against some other pieces that are in the running. There are many ways to make a diamond look better than it really is.
Give the jewelry a test-run by wearing it for a day. Does it feel comfortable and hang properly? Doing this also helps you see if the jewelery is long lasting or likely to break easily.
Before adding a piece of jewelry to your collection, research current trends. The one thing that makes a great purchase an outstanding one is getting a bargain on it.
If the person you are shopping for is a unique individual, consider choosing a one-of-a-kind piece crafted specifically for them. Purchasing a unique piece that matches his or her personality demonstrates how thoughtful and creative you are. This is what you should be expressing to someone you love enough to purchase jewelry for.
When purchasing jewelry from a respected jeweler, inquire as to whether they offer an insurance policy. If something happens to your piece, you’ll know you can take it to the jeweler you bought it from, who will repair it or replace the piece. There are jewelers who offer insurance for misplaced or lost jewelry, too.
You can use a brooch to make your belt stand out, since it is sure to be eye-catching. The best places to pin the brooch for maximum visual impact are the middle of your waist and at hip line.
Take the steps to inhibit its tarnishing. Avoid wearing your jewelry near water. Water can dull and rust some types of metal if it is exposed to it too often. You can give your jewelry an additional layer of protection by applying a thin coat of clear nail polish to it.
Find out if your gemstone was treated before you buy it and if it was, how it was treated. There are several different types of treatment, and each one needs it’s own type of care. Some cleaning solutions that work perfectly well on untreated gems can strip off treatments, and even damage stones, if you use them on treated gems.
Research the proper methods for cleaning your jewelry. Every metal, setting, and stone has different requirements when it comes to care. What works for one piece of jewelry could dull or damage another. Ask a jeweler when you do not know how to take care of your jewelry.
Have a use in mind for every piece of jewelry you buy. What’s the fun in buying jewelry you never actually wear? When choosing a piece of jewelry, take into account what you will be wearing it with.
Put your make up on before the jewelery. Makeup can gravitate dust and grime towards your jewelry leaving it to look dull. It is especially important to keep this in mind when putting on earrings and necklaces.
When selling a piece of jewelry online, you should aim to present the piece in an attractive manner. This is particularly important when selling jewelry online, since the buyer can’t inspect the piece in person. Make sure any photos of the jewelry focus on the item itself and don’t have distracting backgrounds or additional items.
Plastic Wrap
Comparison shopping for diamonds is critical. Every single diamond is unique and has individual flaws. Some flaws are not as obtrusive as others, but you need to see a diamond in person to discern if a flaw is important or not to you. Additionally, keep in mind that the jeweler will have a unique pricing structure depending on his or her subjectivity. Shop around and find the best diamond you can for the price you can afford.
Untangle your knotted messes of delicate chains and necklaces. Before giving up on a tangled knotted mass of precious metal, source some plastic wrap. Lay the necklace out on plastic wrap, then apply baby or mineral oil. If the jewelry is tangled and knotted, try using needles to unknot the strands. Rinse the necklace off as best you can and gently pat it dry with a soft cloth. Use soap only if it has been approved to not damage your jewelry.
If you are going to buy a very expensive piece of jewelry, buy something that will last you for years. While the price tag does frequently denote the quality of a piece, you should also consider whether a piece is crafted in a timeless style. A precious stone tiara may be a great addition to your New Year’s Eve outfit this year, but maybe an elegant diamond tennis bracelet will make you feel like a queen for years to come. Decide on timeless pieces that will stay in fashion.
If you are attempting to sell jewelry online, it is important to present the item in a flattering manner. Since your potential customer will not be able to examine the piece in person, your presentation is very important. Make sure the background behind the jewelry in the photograph is bland and boring, so as not to distract the viewer’s attention away from the piece itself.
If you are a jewelry maker and sell it at craft shows and other sales, you may need new ideas for displaying it. While you source your jewelry materials, keep an eye out for display ideas. All types of things, such as baskets, cigar boxes and racks can turn into incredible jewelry display cases by adding some creativity.
Dry saunas and steam rooms can cause damage to jewelry. Excessive moisture and heat can be damaging to jewelry.
People love rubies, and there are several reasons why. While true rubies are always red, there are a myriad shades of red from vivid deep rose pinks to nearly maroon. They are very durable and can resist being hit and stand up to many chemicals. Their strength and beauty make them a great jewelry choice.
When you go swimming, take your jewelry off first. Chlorine in pools will damage your pieces causing them to lose their luster. Saltwater is equally damaging to your precious jewels. Lengthen the jewelry’s life, and ensure it keeps its beauty by removing any precious items before entering the pool.
It can be hard to tell the difference between natural and lab grown sapphires and rubies. These beautiful stones are chemically and physically identical, but the artificial ones can be supplied for a fraction of the cost of natural flawless ones. Before investing a great deal of money in a piece of sapphire jewelry, you should first have it verified by an experienced, respected gemologist.
Using robe hooks will help to stop necklaces from becoming tangled. Create an instant necklace storage area by mounting a row of these hooks on a closet wall. Doing this will keep your jewelry from getting all balled up in the bottom of your jewelry box.
Alexandrite is a beautiful and unique stone for jewelry. This stone will change from a purple color to a green, depending if it is outside or indoors. You can find it often in rings, pendants and earrings.
You can make some extra cash from your gold jewelry without sacrificing the pieces. All it takes is clipping off any excess material, usually only a few inches. You will still keep your piece intact so you can wear it. Genuine gold is valuable even in small pieces, so consider the option of removing links in chains or charms.
If you want to use childhood jewelery, but are concerned about looking childish or old-fashioned, layer items with bigger, contemporary pieces for a modern effect. Use a pendant as a point of interest within the cluster, and choose necklaces which share a theme; be it a color, material, or design.
When considering a nice piece of jewelry, consider the popular beauty of rubies. While the rubies most are familiar with have deep red color, rubies also come in a variety of shades ranging from deep rose to almost maroon. This beautiful jewel is very durable and can stand up to exposure to chemicals as well as a sharp impact. Their beauty and strength make them some of the best choices for jewelry.
There are specially-formulated silver cleaners out there, but the toothpaste makes a decent substitute if nothing else is available to you. Use a soft cloth or a paper towel to apply the toothpaste. Gently polish the piece with the paste, especially in heavily tarnished areas, and rinse the jewelry with water when you finish. You will be amazed at the difference a simple cleaning can do to enhance the appearance of your old jewelry.
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. If you take care of your jewelry, you can have it last longer. Information is available online to help you learn the proper techniques for taking care of your jewelry.
Do not clean jewelry in or over the sink without plugging the drain first. Too often, a precious piece of jewelry can easily slip out of your hands when it is covered in soap. If you cover your drain, you don’t have to worry about having to dig jewelry out of it.
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