When you’re going to purchase or sell any jewelry you’re going to need to learn a lot about it so you know what to do. However, it can leave you scratching your head as to where to start.
Use a polishing cloth to keep your jewelry clean and free from damage. This is a fairly simple way to achieve shine without dealing with solvents and chemicals. You use the special cloth to polish your jewelry just like you would polish your silverware. Use one side for polishing and the other for improving its shine.
Steer clear of ammonia, bleach or other strong chemical solvents when you need to clean these items. You can turn your stones this way and it will eat away the enamel on the pieces.
Avoid using things like bleach, acetone, ammonia, turpentine, and other related chemicals to clean them with. Natural acids won’t erode the enamel on your copper jewelry the way harsh chemicals can.
Keep your jewelery in a space that is dry and doesn’t have any air flow. A drawstring bag or closed box offers the best protection from moisture in the air. Humid air affects the metals in jewelry and causes tarnishing. Polishing will work to restore the color and shine for precious metals, but with non-precious metals, polishing will not help the change in color.
What color gold do they seem to favor – white or yellow? Do they normally wear a bracelet? What type of earrings do they prefer – drop and dangle or studs? Take a mental note of this important information. Paying attention to these aspects of their current wardrobe will help you make a purchase they are more likely to enjoy.
Sterling Silver
Ask about any insurance a jeweler may offer when you are buying jewelry. This is to avoid any future complications. If anything were to happen you have yourself covered and to avoid complications with that jeweler in the future, they can replace or fix it for you if you run into problems. In some instances, you can even insure your jewelry against loss or theft.
Having a good eye to catch the details, and a magnet, are key when you are considering the purchase of any type of sterling silver jewelry. To spot scams, see if the magnet attracts the piece. If it does, then shout “FAKE!” at the top of your lungs and move to the next store. Look for the hallmark stamped on the piece of jewelry to determine what percentage sterling silver it is. If your silver is not marked, it could be because it is not real!
Put on the jewelry to see if it hangs correctly, then wear it for a few hours to test the comfort. In this way, you will be able to tell if the item will withstand normal wear.
See what types of earrings they wear, what color, if they wear ankle bracelets, etc. Noticing these things lets you choose jewelry more suited to their tastes.
The stone is an important part of a piece of jewelry so should be considered carefully. Any stones that you choose should go with your skin tone and reflect your personality. Neutral colored stones will work well with any outfit in your closet. There is no point in buying something that is not functional.
Costume Jewelry
For a gift that is as unique as its recipient, look for handcrafted or customized pieces. Finding something that shows you put thought and effort into the gift is more important the the gift itself, so whether or not what you choose exactly what they wanted, they are sure to be pleased.
Collecting costume jewelry is a popular pastime, but if you wish to participate, be careful of the condition of the jewelry. Costume jewelry, while expensive, can be a great investment. However, if a piece shows wear it will lose value. Maintaining a piece of costume jewelry’s condition preserves the beauty and value that attracted you in the first place.
Doing this will not only accentuate your waist, it will also act as the accent piece for your outfit. Place the broach in the middle of your waist for the best effect.
You should wear the jewelry for a few days to see how it feels and if it is comfortable. This also helps you to see its durability.
Before you buy, ask the jeweler if and how the gemstone was treated. You will have to treat different gemstones with different kinds of care. Cleaning a treated gem using the wrong chemical might damage it.
When you are looking for jewelry to purchase, give careful thought to the stones you prefer. Pick out stones that will reflect your personality and complement your skin tone. Think about how the stones will work with your style, and pick neutral colors that go with everything in your wardrobe. Taking these things into account will give you a piece of jewelry you can wear many times and in diverse situations.
If you are in the market for new jewelry, look for sales! The right sale will save you a lot of cash. Check ads in the newspaper, on the Internet, and in stores for the best deals. Sometimes, you can save about half the original price on trendy pieces that aren’t as trendy anymore.
Costume jewelry needs special care. Many costume jewelry pieces are glued rather than set. For this reason, costume jewelry should never touch water, and you should avoid using detergents on it. It is best to have two cloths ready, one warm with water and one dry, to use to wipe your jewelry. This will help your costume jewelry to continue looking great.
Have a use in mind for every piece of jewelry you buy. A big supply of jewelry that you never wear is of little use to you. Think of the outfits that you own, and use those to help you choose your jewelry.
To maintain the shine and finish on your jewelry, do not put it on until you’ve done your hair and makeup. The small particles of powdered makeup can easily dull the shine of your jewelry. This is even more necessary for earrings and necklaces.
When you are purchasing diamonds, do some shopping around. Every diamond is unique, and there will always be tiny flaws. A diamond’s flaws must be seen in person for you to truly understand the impact it has on the stone’s beauty. Jewelers can price their diamonds differently according to the flaws in the diamonds. Try different jewelers and locate the most beautiful diamond you can afford to buy.
Try searching for sales when purchasing jewelry. You could save a lot of money if you take the time to look for better prices. Locate the best prices online, in newspapers and in stores. If you purchase something on clearance, you might save 50% or more off the original purchase price.
If you’re going to spend a good deal of money on a jewelry item, purchase something to last a lifetime. Although you usually get high-quality jewelry when you spend a lot of money, you also need to consider the style of the piece. A fashion-forward trendy piece may be in style now but lose its appeal in the future. A classic design will stand the test of time.
It is important to pay attention to how the diamond is cut, and the clarity of the stone. To some people this is more important and appealing than the actual size. The personal preferences of the individual who will be wearing the diamond are of paramount consideration.
You can make money from any gold bracelets and necklaces you have, without having to sell your entire pieces. If there is excess gold on the piece, remove that extra, then sell that while retaining the piece itself. By pruning your gold pieces, you may be able to bring in a tidy sum.
Don’t wear jewelry when swimming. The chlorine in a pool can tarnish or corrode jewelry, decreasing its value. Over time, salt water is just as harmful to your jewelry. Take your jewelry off first to keep it from becoming damaged or tarnished.
If you create jewelry to sell, such as at a flea market or craft sale, you need to display it to its best effect. When you are out looking for materials to create your jewelry, remember to think about creative displays. You can make attractive jewelry displays out of virtually anything, baskets, racks, cigar boxes even a wig stand could make an offbeat place to show your wares.
Onyx and crystal can be wonderful jewelry options. You may find some other type of stone that you really love at a very nice price.
A lot of people have begun to pair silver jewelry with yellow gold jewelry. To achieve this look, you need to wear one piece of jewelry containing both silver and gold. If you do not do this, the jewelry can look mismatched and not stylish.
Always remain in the strict range of your budget when purchasing jewelry. It’s a bad financial decision to incur a large amount of debt just because you want a little bling on your finger. For a young couple, a cheaper ring is a better decision. Then, they can get nicer rings after their finances are more secure.
If you have small pieces of jewelry from your childhood that you’d like to keep wearing, layer them with more mature pieces. 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.
To avoid damaging the setting, clean only with a damp cloth, and be gentle. Follow this with another soft cloth for drying off the piece. Avoid exposing your jewelery to chemicals, water or steam cleaners.
Before selling a piece of jewelry, you should have it appraised by a gemologist or accredited appraiser. This ensures that have an accurate and substantiated claim of the item’s value, which makes it much easier to determine an appropriate selling price.
If you have small pieces of jewelry from your childhood that you’d like to keep wearing, layer them with more mature pieces. A pendant featuring a heart or cross can seem more personal than other necklaces and will blend well if worn in a cluster of necklaces.
For a radiant and striking look, opt for diamonds in an illusion setting. With this setting, before the diamond has been set, a mirrored plate is placed on the ring. This will exaggerate the diamond’s sparkle and size when it is on the hand. One of the shortcomings of an illusion setting is that it is somewhat harder to repair.
Before selling a piece of jewelry, you should have it appraised by a gemologist or accredited appraiser. This helps you get a truthful and accurate quote on the worth of your pieces so that you can be better informed on the offers you should see when it’s on the market.
When you can’t afford that special wedding band, think about buying something within your price range, and upgrade at a later date. You can always purchase the ring for a future occasion, such as your anniversary. You can ever find jewelers that give you buy back options so that you can get a bigger sized ring later on.
Prior to shopping for a ring to propose with, do a little research to discover the approximate cost of different diamonds. Shopping for a diamond can be an emotional experience. For this reason, it is easy to forget your budgeting plans and follow your heart instead.
When choosing jewelry to wear with your outfit, think about the purpose you want the jewelry to serve. Will the jewelry be the focus of your ensemble or simply an accenting piece? This decision must be made.
Plug the drain if you are going to clean jewelery in a skin. It is very common for people to lose expensive jewelry by dropping it down the sink’s drain. If you cover your drain, you don’t have to worry about having to dig jewelry out of it.
Synthetic gemstones are becoming a popular alternative to natural gemstones. These stones look very similar to natural stones. Because they aren’t as rare as natural stones, those created in the lab are much more inexpensive.
Through work, effort, and research you can be a success at buying and selling jewelry. If you remember the tips listed above, you are sure to be successful.
Lemon juice can bring the luster back to copper jewelry. Copper will tarnish over time. It develops a patina that some people like, but to keep copper jewelry looking bright and shiny, vinegar or lemon juice clean it up with very little effort.
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