Have you been thinking about accessorizing your outfits with a burst of color by choosing just the right jewelry pieces? Maybe you just need a nice gift for a friend. By following the advice in this article you can feel confident on whatever selection you make.
Always be aware of the type of stone you’re buying when dealing with gems. Gemstones now come in natural as well as synthetic and imitation types. You have to know that imitation refers to colored plastic. A natural stone is mined from the earth, and a synthetic is a lab-created gem.
Before adding a piece of jewelry to your collection, research current trends. The only thing better than picking up a gorgeous bauble is getting it on sale!
Collecting Costume Jewelry
If you are interested in collecting costume jewelry, be sure to stay conscious of the condition. Collecting costume jewelry can get expensive, but it is also an investment worth your time, so avoid any pieces that have too many flaws. You’ll get more return on your investment later if you buy costume jewelry in good condition.
If you wear the piece for 24 hours, then you can be sure that it has been put together correctly and hangs nicely. In this way, you will be able to tell if the item will withstand normal wear.
You need to take special care of costume jewelry. Many of their settings are glued instead of set. You will need to avoid immersing your jewelry and make sure to stay away from the use of harsh chemicals. Wiping it down with a damp, warm cloth and then drying it with another cloth is the best care for it. You will be able to maintain its nice appearance with this method.
Doing this will not only accentuate your waist, it will also act as the accent piece for your outfit. Pin it near your hip or your waist’s center.
Baby Oil
Take extra care when you are untangling necklaces. If you are about to give up, get some baby oil and plastic wrap. Put the chain on the wrap, then pour on a bit of mineral oil or baby oil. Use a straight pin to untangle the knot. When your necklaces are straight, use dish soap to wash the oil off and pat them dry.
If you are trying to sell jewelry on the Internet, make sure that you present it in an attractive way. This is very important because a customer cannot look at the jewelery if they are buying it online. Take professional-looking pictures of your pieces and let people know you can send more pictures upon request.
When you are purchasing expensive jewelry, you should remind yourself that this is an investment that you will want to wear for many years. Although you usually get high-quality jewelry when you spend a lot of money, you also need to consider the style of the piece. Although something may be in style now, it may seem tacky after a few years. Therefore, you should search for an item that is classic and timeless.
Unfortunately, if you are dead set on real gold jewelry, you will run into the problem of high prices. If you insist upon a gold ring or necklace, you can still save some money by compromising on karats. The best combination of price and quality is an 18k piece made without less than 75% pure gold.
You may not have to sell your gold jewelry to get money out of your necklaces and bracelets. Consider removing excess portions of gold or silver that will not affect the overall piece. For an item that is made of actual gold, clipping off several chains can bring in over a hundred dollars simply by reducing the length of the jewelry.
Onyx jewelry or crystal really stands out. You may find some other type of stone that you really love at a very nice price.
Sometimes, you may find difficulty displaying your jewelry properly at a craft sale or flea market. When you are shopping for materials to make your jewelry, also look for items that you could display it on. Different types of boxes, stands, racks and baskets can all be turned into jewelry when you think outside the box.
It can be hard to tell natural rubies and sapphires from artificial ones. Synthetic stones cost much less than high-quality ones that come from a mine, and their physical and chemical properties are virtually identical. Before buying natural sapphire, have a gemologist to view its natural inclusions.
You should always remain within your budget when purchasing jewelry. You will soon come to realize that debt incurred for a rash decision on a momentary urge will devastate you financially. A young couple starting out should select an inexpensive first ring. They can always upgrade the stone or the band in the future when they are in a better financial place to do so.
Since you now have an abundance of useful information, you can apply what you have learned to your ventures into the world of jewelry. Whether you buy it, give it, receive it or inherit it, a fine piece of well-cared-for jewelry is something you can enjoy for many years to come.
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