There is no such thing as being too informed about jewelry. This becomes especially important when you consider mistakes. Even a small one can prove quite expensive. Here are a few sensible guidelines on the subject. The tips given here can guide you in acquiring jewelry and steer you away from some common mistakes people make.
Don’t clean your jewelry in harsh household chemicals like ammonia, bleach or turpentine. This can cause your stones to turn and dull in color, along with eating away any enamel on the pieces.
Ensure you are certain how to keep your jewelery in one place so it is not damaged. It is better to use boxes, compartments, holders, and hooks for keeping pieces separate. Avoiding piling your nice jewelry pieces into one big heap in a box. Not only will your necklaces get all tangled up, you risk damaging all your fragile and fine jewelry pieces.
When you are shopping, think about the color or type of gem you want to buy. The types of gems available are synthetic, imitation and natural. “Real” can mean natural or synthetic, and an imitation stone could be glass or plastic. Natural gems are those that are actually from the earth, whereas synthetic ones are made in labs.
Natural Gems
Compare lots of diamonds before you settle on one to buy. Look at what you want very closely, and keep that in mind so you can compare it with other diamonds you look at. Look out for tricks that make the diamond look better than it is.
Know the distinctions between kinds of gems before you make a jewelry purchase. There are basically three distinct types: natural gems, synthetic gems and imitation stones. “Real” can mean natural or synthetic, and an imitation stone could be glass or plastic. Natural gems are dug up from the ground, and synthetic gems are man-made in a lab.
Be sure to at least inquire about the insurance that is available when you buy jewelry from a reputable jeweler. Then, you will have peace of mind knowing it can be fixed or replaced if anything happens. There are even some jewelers that will cover the replacement if the piece has been lost or stolen.
Good jewelry will last a lifetime. When you are shopping for your next piece, choose a reliable dealer. This can make all the difference in ensuring you get jewelry of the highest quality. High quality jewelry is well-crafted and made of exceptional materials. The jeweler should tell you about who made the piece and the origin of the stones. When you are looking for jewelry of the highest quality, it is important to be careful in your choice, as you want something that will last a lifetime.
It is a good idea to determine the best approaches for jewelry care. Jewelry is composed of different stones, metals, and settings that all require different care to be properly maintained. What works for one material could damage another. Speak with a knowlegeable jeweler if you do not know the best way to take care of your jewels.
Take note of whether they wear hoop earrings or studs, yellow gold or white gold, an ankle bracelet, etc. Just paying attention to what they wear now will make buying for them much easier than asking a salesperson.
Costume jewelry should be treated differently than your other jewelry. Many of the stones and embellishments are just glued in instead of set in a professional setting. Don’t immerse costume jewelry in water or use chemicals on it. For best results, use a warmed, damp cloth to wipe your jewelry and then use another cloth to dry it. This will make your current costume jewelry look great.
When purchasing jewelry from a respected jeweler, inquire as to whether they offer an insurance policy. Look for a good policy that lets you return damaged items. There are even some jewelers that will cover the replacement if the piece has been lost or stolen.
Get the tangles out of a delicate necklace that’s in a knot. Don’t give up on that tangled mass of jewelry. Instead, get a piece of plastic wrap. After you place the necklace on top of the wrap, cover it in baby oil. Gently untangle the knots with needles. When your necklaces are straight, use dish soap to wash the oil off and pat them dry.
Keep your jewelry from getting tarnished to preserve its best appearance. One of the best ways to keep your jewelry looking beautiful is to avoid wearing it in water. Exposure can result in tarnishing, rusting or dulling of different metals. Clear nail polish, applied in a thin coat, can give jewelry some added protection.
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. Take photos of your jewelry in a place where the focus is on the piece instead of the background.
Costume Jewelry
Know your options when shopping for diamonds. Every diamond is unique and has its own set of flaws. Once you see some of the flaws in person, they may become less important. Also, each jeweler can price point a little bit differently based on the flaws. Shop around to find a great, high-quality diamond at an affordable price.
If you are wanting to collect costume jewelry, you should ensure you are aware of its condition. Costume jewelry can be very expensive and a great investment, but a piece that shows too much wear and tear will not be worth the money or time. You’ll get more return on your investment later if you buy costume jewelry in good condition.
When you are buying jewelry for someone, it may be a good idea to buy a set instead of just one piece. You can often get a better price if you buy an entire set. Consider splitting apart the set and giving your loved one a single piece at a time. This is an excellent way to give something every holiday season without having to worry that you will forget.
Wear the jewelry around for a day or so to be sure that it fits right and is comfortable. This can also help you see whether the piece is durable enough to last.
You need a good clasp for any necklaces and bracelets. You may end up losing a treasured or costly piece through no fault of your own. You can avoid this by looking at the clasps prior to purchasing new pieces. Valuable bracelets and necklaces should be secured with a safety clasp. It is common to have two or three clasps for expensive jewelry.
Look for sales when you want to buy some new jewelry. With the right kind of sale, you can save a lot of money. Check for great sales online, in the newspaper, and even storefront windows. Sometimes, buying fashion styles that are on their way out can save you almost half of the original price.
Always remove your jewelry before swimming. Chlorine from a pool is a chemical and can tarnish and damage precious jewelry. Salt water is just as bad as chlorinated water. Taking these off before swimming will protect their beauty and extend their life.
Plastic Wrap
Get some robe hooks to display your necklaces and keep them from getting tangled up. Try hanging the hooks on the wall in your bedroom or on the back of the door, then put all your necklaces on them in the fashion that works for you. 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.
If you have tangled necklaces, you can untangle them with ease. Sometimes you give up on untangling a mess but you can get yourself some plastic wrap before you do give up. Place the knotted necklace on the plastic wrap and coat it with baby oil. Needles can be used to untangle it. Wash with dishwashing liquid then pat dry.
Unfortunately, if you are dead set on real gold jewelry, you will run into the problem of high prices. If nothing else but gold will do, then you can save a little by buying fewer karats. Buying 18 karat jewelry means you will get a piece that is at least 75% gold. Experts agree that this is the sweet spot on the price-quality curve.
When you are purchasing diamonds, do some shopping around. Every single diamond is unique and has individual flaws. Seeing a diamond in person will help you determine whether you can accept a given imperfection. Different jewelers may price differently in regard to these flaws. Make sure you browse different shops to locate the best diamond for the price range you have in mind.
Onyx jewelry is unique and makes a bold impact, while crystal is a delicate and wonderful touch to any classy outfit. It’s possible to save money, and be happy with your results.
Take your jewelry off before you go swimming. Chlorine in pools will damage your pieces causing them to lose their luster. Salt water can also degrade jewelry. Your jewelry will last longer and stay more lustrous if you remember to take it off before getting into the water.
Alexandrite is a unique stone, which many often forget to consider. Depending on your environment, the stone’s color switches between green and purple. It is often found in earrings, rings, and pendants.
Don’t buy a piece of jewelry based solely on the brand. Not may people notice trendy names or brands in jewelry. If the salesperson tries to push a certain brand in you, they probably paid too much for the item as well. You can find good, quality jewelry from a number of different brands.
As you approach the very personal decision to invest in jewelry, take special care to make purchases that fall within your current budget. Buying expensive jewelry and incurring debt just so you can wear the jewelry occasionally isn’t a smart financial decision. For a young couple, a cheaper ring is a better decision. Then, you can always upgrade at a later time when your finances are much better.
Remember to contrast finely detailed, ornate jewelry with a simple outfit. Wear something in a single color and allow the jewelry to steal the show.
If you like your necklaces from when you were younger, but don’t want to look dated, try mixing them with other, newer necklaces. Give yourself a layered look. 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.
Well, it’s easy when you know how. This article has just touched on a few of things that you should know about this very rewarding hobby. There is much to learn, but at least you’ve now got a few good ideas to put to work.
To get a brilliant and big diamond effect, you should choose an illusion setting. In this effect, a small mirror is put under the diamond before it is set into place. When the diamond is placed over the mirrored surface, it creates the illusion that it is larger than it really is. Fixing the setting if something happens to the ring can be hard, which is one of the negatives of an illusion setting.
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