No matter why you are buying your jewelry, whether for yourself or as a gift, it is important to know the proper way to care for jewelry as well as buy and sell it responsibly. This article has most of the tips you need to learn how to keep your jewelry looking brand new.
Try to avoid cleaning it with harsh chemicals like ammonia or turpentine. You can turn your stones this way and it will eat away the enamel on the pieces.
To keep your jewelry looking attractive, polish it regularly using a cloth made especially for this purpose. A polishing cloth is a very gentle way to get a good shine on all your pieces. Simply use the two-sided polishing cloth to polish your jewelry the same way you would polish a glass. The first side is designed to polish, while the other is for adding shine.
Be careful on how you store all of your jewelry together. It is recommended to separate the items stored by using compartments, boxes, holders and hooks. Throwing the jewelry together into the jewelry box is a no-no. Not only can it damage finer, fragile pieces, but it can also make a tangled mess out of chains.
Be cautious of the way all of your personal jewelry gets stored together. Keep pieces separately by using compartments, boxes, hooks and holders. Resist the urge to jumble all your pieces together in one box or basket. Heavy pieces should not be placed in the same compartment with fragile pieces.
If you are in the market to buy some silver jewelry, don’t forget to take a magnet along with you. Use the magnet to detect fake jewelry; real silver will not be attracted to the magnet, but the cheaper metals will. There should be a stamp hallmarked that says something like .925 sterling or ster, on sterling silver If there is no hallmark, watch its authenticity since it may be fake.
Sterling Silver
Watch to see whether they usually wear necklaces or bracelets, or if they prefer dangly earrings to studs. By doing this you should have a good idea what to buy them.
If you are shopping for sterling silver jewelry, you’ll need a magnet and an eye for the real thing. Use the magnet to detect fake jewelry; real silver will not be attracted to the magnet, but the cheaper metals will. Your sterling silver jewelery should always be imprinted if it is real. The stamp may read “.925” or “ster”. If the piece is not hallmarked in any way, be leery of its authenticity because oftentimes it is a sign of a fake.
When you are buying new jewelery, think about the stones you want to get. You should chose stones that reflect your personality, as well as complement your skin tone. Neutral colors are very versatile, as they match well with any outfit. There is no point in buying something that is not functional.
Find out more about the gems you look at. Ask about where they came from and to which category they belong. Jewels come in natural, synthetic and imitation forms. Natural gems and synthetic gems are real gemstones, whereas imitation is just an item of plastic with gemstone colors. Natural gems are those that are actually from the earth, whereas synthetic ones are made in labs.
To maintain the shine and finish on your jewelry, do not put it on until you’ve done your hair and makeup. If you put on makeup after you put on your jewelry, dust and particles from the makeup will migrate to the jewelry, which makes it dirty quite quickly. This is even more necessary for earrings and necklaces.
Reputable Jeweler
You can untangle delicate necklaces that have become knotted. The first thing you need to do is get a piece of plastic wrap. Lay the necklace out on plastic wrap, then apply baby or mineral oil. Gently untangle the knots with needles. Wash it gently with a bit of dish soap and then pat it dry.
When you purchase jewelry, you are investing in an item that will last a lifetime. When selecting jewelry, a reputable jeweler is indispensable to ensuring you get quality items. High quality jewelry is well-crafted and made of exceptional materials. A reputable jeweler will be able to provide you with a full background of the piece, including where the stones are from and who made it. When you chose a high-quality piece, you know your jewelry will last forever.
When you list jewelry for sale online, make sure you present it in the best possible way. This is very important because people need to evaluate the jewelry from the picture since they cannot handle it in person. Take pictures of jewelry in an environment that will put the focus on just the piece, not the background.
Know what is trendy before you buy a piece of jewelry. If there is one thing better than a beautiful piece of jewelry, it’s finding that jewelry at a great price!
Look at a lot of different pieces before settling on a diamond jewelry purchase. Every diamond is unique and has its own set of flaws. Once you get to see the flaw up close, you may find that it doesn’t matter to you. Different jewelers may price differently in regard to these flaws. Look around and you’re sure to find the perfect diamond for you, at a price you can live with.
If you want to maintain the look of your jewelry, you should prevent it from becoming tarnished. If possible, remove your jewelry if you are around water. Exposure can result in tarnishing, rusting or dulling of different metals. It is wise to place a single coat of transparent nail lacquer on jewelry in order to protect it.
Using robe hooks will help to stop necklaces from becoming tangled. They can be hung anywhere, like a closet door, and give you the ability to organize your necklaces by size or color if you want. No longer will you have to contend with knotted, tangled balls of chains in your jewelry box. Plus, the artfully arranged necklaces make an aesthetically pleasing addition to your room.
Investigate your gemstone to determine if it has been treated before you purchase it, and what type of treatment it had. Gemstone treatment can affect the type of care the piece needs. For example, you should avoid cleaning a gem that has been treated with a certain solution that could peel off the treatment because this could harm the gem.
Brand name should not be the primary concern when buying jewelry. You will often pay more for name brand jewelry, and it is unlikely that others will recognize the name associated with your new piece of jewelry unless you tell them. It is easy to find quality pieces from a variety of brands.
If you want to purchase new jewelry, watch for discounts or sales. If you find the right sale, you might see a lot of savings. You can snag a sweet sale by perusing your neighborhood shops, checking the classified ads, or even going online. Sometimes, if you buy a fashion that is not ‘up and coming’, you can save some money.
Make heads turn with unique crystal or onyx pieces. Be friendlier with your wallet and you may just like the results.
Plastic Wrap
Presentation is important, just as much to you when you are selling home-made jewelry at a craft sale or flea market as it is to a posh jewelry store. While you are on the lookout for jewelry-making items, also keep an eye out for things from which you can make creative displays. You can use every day items to display your jewelery, like boxes, mirrors, etc.
Take extra care when you are untangling 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. Put the necklace on the plastic wrap and add a little mineral oil or baby oil. You would then untangle the necklace using needles. Wash with dish soap and pat dry.
A beautiful, but quite often overlooked gemstone, is Alexandrite. This stone actually changes color, depending on the natural light. It is common in many types of jewelry, like rings or earrings.
Take the time to compare your options when shopping for diamonds. Every diamond is unique and has its own flaws. Some flaws may not seem that critical to you when you see the diamond in person. Different jewelers may price differently in regard to these 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.
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. There is no reason to take on debt because of a shiny ring or fancy necklace. Young couples should aim to purchase a less expensive ring when starting out. After they are more financially sound, the ring can always be upgraded.
A clasp that will hold up is a very important part of any necklace or bracelet. Clasps keep your pendants safe. You can have a safety clasp added to any existing piece that may require additional protection. For very expensive items, some consumers choose to increase security with an additional clasp or two.
Gently cleaning with a soft damp cloth is the best way to avoid disturbing the setting. Dry the piece by rubbing it gently with a soft cloth. Avoid using steam cleaners or harsh chemicals with fashion or costume jewelry.
Don’t swim wearing your jewelry. The chlorine in pool water is very harsh and may cause your fine jewelry to appear dull. The salt in seawater will result in the same effect. By removing all of your jewelry before entering the pool or swimming in the ocean, you can prolong its life and keep it looking brilliant.
Show your significant other how much you are in love by surprising them with jewelry. All women are delighted when they receive a piece of jewelry, especially when it is unanticipated. You also get the added benefit of watching how that little box you hand her lights up her entire face and fills her eyes with tears of gratitude as she beams you a radiant smile.
Jewelry that is cared for properly is very valuable, not just in economic terms, but also in sentimental value. 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. 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.
Having really valuable jewelry appraised by a certified specialist or gemologist before you sell it is a wise idea. This will help you sell your item at the right price as you now have an honest opinion of what that is.
About The Author
