There are a lot of things to know about jewelry, whether you are giving it as gift, receiving a gift yourself, or caring for a piece passed down to you. The number of resources available can make things confusing at first. You will find the information you need to become an educated consumer in the article outlined below.
Store your jewelry in a place that is not subjected to humidity extremes or open air. To protect your jewelry it is important to secure it in a small bag with a drawstring, or in a jewelry box that remains closed a majority of the time. When non-precious and precious metals are expose to air and humidity, they tend to tarnish. Precious metals can often be polished to remove most tarnish. Non-precious metals often have a single coat of metal. Therefore, polishing them can remove the coat and show the copper that is found underneath.
Polish your jewelry regularly with a jeweler’s polishing cloth. A polishing cloth is a very gentle way to get a good shine on all your pieces. To clean your jewelry, obtain a soft two-sided cloth and gently rub in a circular motion. Use one side of the cloth for polishing, and reserve the other side for shining it afterward.
When you are shopping, think about the color or type of gem you want to buy. There are basically three distinct types: natural gems, synthetic gems and imitation stones. Synthetic and natural are real stones, while the imitation ones are plastic that is colored. Synthetic gems come from a lab and natural ones are found in the ground.
Don’t clean your jewelry in harsh household chemicals like ammonia, bleach or turpentine. Doing so can damage the shine and luster of the stones on your favorite pieces.
Take note of whether they wear hoop earrings or studs, yellow gold or white gold, an ankle bracelet, etc. By doing this you should have a good idea what to buy them.
Sterling Silver
Check to see if your jeweler offers an insurance policy before purchasing an item. This is so that if something happens to your piece, you can return it to have it replaced or repaired. In some cases, insurance policies will cover lost, misplaced or stolen pieces.
When you are shopping for jewelry in sterling silver, be sure to examine the piece closely, and take along a magnet for metal testing. Jewelry made with non-precious metals will be attracted to the magnet, revealing any fakes. You can recognize sterling silver by stamps that say ‘.925’ or ‘ster’. If your silver is not marked, it could be because it is not real!
Keep your jewelry pieces looking beautiful by protecting them from tarnish. Don’t wear jewelry near water. Water can cause some metals to lose their luster or to become tarnished or rusty. If you must take your jewelry somewhere wet, prepare it by adding some clear nail polish on the surface.
Find out more about the gems you look at. Ask about where they came from and to which category they belong. Gemstones come in three different varieties: natural, imitation and synthetic. Natural stones and synthetic gems are both real, but imitation gems are probably just colored glass or plastic. Natural comes from the ground, while synthetic ones are created in a lab.
Put on the jewelry to see if it hangs correctly, then wear it for a few hours to test the comfort. You can also make a better estimate of the jewelry’s durability after trying it out.
Your jewelry should endure an entire lifetime. Get jewelry from a jeweler with a good reputation to be sure that it’s of high-quality. You should be able to notice a quality piece by its 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. Take your time when selecting a high-quality piece if you want it to last you for a long time.
Costume jewelry requires specific care. That’s because a lot of the costume settings are not set-in; they have usually been glued. You want to avoid using strong chemicals or immersion baths on your costume jewelry. It is best to have two cloths ready, one warm with water and one dry, to use to wipe your jewelry. This will make your costume jewelry sparkle for weeks, months, or even years.
Do some price comparisons before you commit to buying a piece of diamond jewelry. Take a look at the diamonds up close, then put it next to other pieces you are interested in. There are deceptive tricks that can be used to enhance a diamond, so you need to be on the lookout.
When you want to sell jewelry on the Internet, you should try to show it off in an attractive way. An online buyer doesn’t get the opportunity to handle the jewelry, so photos of the piece have to speak for themselves. Be sure your photographs show good details of the jewelry and few, if any, details of the surroundings.
Before you make a final jewelry-buying decision, take a look at what’s new and trendy. It is better to get a gorgeous bauble on sale!
A diamond’s cut, as well as its clarity, are considerably more important than size in determining value and appeal. It’s also important to consider the personality of whomever is to receive the diamond.
Costume Jewelry
This rule applies to dry saunas as well as steam ones. The high levels of moisture and heat are very damaging to the jewelry.
Costume jewelry needs special care. Many pieces of costume jewelry have the stones glued on, for example. You will need to avoid immersing your jewelry and make sure to stay away from the use of harsh chemicals. The best care is to wipe with a warm damp cloth and then dry with another cloth. This will help your costume jewelry to continue looking great.
Hit up several different stores when looking for diamond jewelry. Every single diamond is unique and has individual flaws. Some flaws may be less important to you once you actually see it in person. Depending on the number and types of flaws in a diamond, jewelers may be somewhat flexible in pricing the piece. Do your research and shop smart in order to find the best diamond at the best possible price.
If you’re shopping for an individual who likes unique pieces of jewelry, you should consider purchasing an item that is made specifically for this person. Show your affection for the person by recognizing their unique qualities; put some thought into the purchase and be creative.
When you are looking to buy someone a gift, you may consider getting a jewelry set. You can often find great deals on jewelry sets. If you purchase a necklace and earring set, you can gift the necklace on one occasion and the earrings on another. It is an excellent way to know that you have a gift for someone that he or she is sure to love.
Makeup isn’t for jewelry. Let your makeup dry before you put on a piece of jewelry. Jewelry will get grimy from the makeup as you apply it, attracting dirt that will make it look dull. This is even more necessary for earrings and necklaces.
Don’t swim while wearing your jewelry. Chlorine is a strong chemical and it can damage the luster and life of your precious jewelry pieces. Salt water is similarly abrasive to some jewelry. Taking it off before you swim will protect your jewelry and keep it looking beautiful for years to come.
Have definite plans for the jewelry you purchase. There is no need to spend your money on a bauble that you cannot see yourself wearing. Think about which outfits you will wear the jewelry with while you are shopping.
Don’t focus on brand when buying a piece of jewelry. Nobody will realize where this piece came from, and the seller may sell the piece at a higher price because of this brand. Remember that there is top-quality jewelry available under any number of different brands.
When photographing jewelry for online sale, you need to make the presentation of the piece as attractive as possible. This is important to do because when someone purchases something online, they don’t have it in front of them to feel and touch. Make the piece of jewelry the main focus of the photograph, rather than its surroundings.
Jewelry with onyx or crystal can make an impact and separate you from the crowd. It’s possible to save money, and be happy with your results.
Look at a lot of different pieces before settling on a diamond jewelry purchase. Every diamond varies and has individual flaws. When you personally see the stone, some flaws can be less important. Jewelers can price their diamonds differently according to the flaws in the diamonds. Do your research and shop smart in order to find the best diamond at the best possible price.
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. You will soon come to realize that debt incurred for a rash decision on a momentary urge will devastate you financially. Engaged couples who are young and not yet financially sound are better off purchasing an inexpensive starter ring. They can always purchase something a little larger when they are more financially stable.
You will want to avoid necklaces getting tangled, which can damage them. Try to find some attractive-looking hooks to hang them. Install the hooks in a row on a wall or closet door, and use them to organize your necklaces by style, color, length or any other system that works for you. This organizational tip can help you from getting a tangled mess of necklaces in your jewelry box.
To avoid damaging the setting, clean only with a damp cloth, and be gentle. Then pat the piece with a soft clothe to dry the piece adequately. Neither costume nor fashion jewelry should be exposed to steam cleaning or cleaning with harsh chemicals.
Feel Fabulous
Before you start looking for the perfect engagement ring, research a little about how much diamonds actually cost. Shopping for that special diamond can become quite emotional. Do not get distracted and forget about your original budget.
Onyx items, or those made of crystal, make quite the impact when worn in a jewelry piece. Not only will you feel fabulous about your beautiful jewelry, but you’ll also feel fabulous about how much you saved.
At times, purchasing jewelry that was previously owned can save you a lot of money. Most of the time, these pieces of jewelry can be as good as the brand new pieces, and they’re usually much cheaper. Therefore, you’ll get much more out of the money you spend.
Remember to contrast finely detailed, ornate jewelry with a simple outfit. Allow it to stand out on its own against the backdrop of a dark, patternless dress or blouse.
Cleaning and proper storage are critical factors in taking care of your jewelry. Before you clean your jewelry, make sure that there are no breaks or loose gemstones that could potentially worsen or fall out if you were to clean the item. If you do discover damage, take the affected pieces to a professional jeweler or gemologist for cleaning and repair.
Jewelry has many different and interesting aspects. With careful and helpful research, you will know you are buying quality jewelry and handling them the right way. The world of jewelry is filled with many exciting discoveries. The advice above should be a valuable stepping stone for beginning your quest.
Spending your hard-earned cash on an expensive piece of jewelry is a big investment. Wait for your chance, and keep in mind that somewhere waiting for you is a piece of jewelry that you will cherish every day.
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