You need to learn how to take care of jewelry and buy and sell it responsibly, whether you are giving jewelry gifts, receiving them, or inheriting family heirlooms. You will find some great suggestions to increase your understanding in these matters when you read this article.
You never want to use bleach, ammonia, or any other cleaning solvents that are not designed specifically for cleaning jewelry. This can dull your stones and eat away their enamel.
Store your jewelry carefully. Jewelry should be stored in an organized way in a box, a jewelry holder or hung on hooks. Avoid just throwing them into a box in an unorganized manner. This can hurt very fragile jewelry, and tangle necklaces or bracelets.
Sterling Silver
When you are shopping for jewelry in sterling silver, be sure to examine the piece closely, and take along a magnet for metal testing. If the piece you are examining is not silver and is made from non-precious metal, it will be attracted to the magnet. You can identify sterling silver by its markings, for example “sterling,” “ster,” or “.925.” If a particular piece is not stamped, you should be cautious of its authenticity.
Jewelry should last for years to come. When selecting jewelry, a reputable jeweler is indispensable to ensuring you get quality items. A valuable piece of jewelry will be well-made and feature superior craftsmanship. The jeweler will be able to provide a complete history of the piece of jewelry, including who made it, and exactly where the stones originated. When you chose a high-quality piece, you know your jewelry will last forever.
When you purchase jewelry from a jeweler, ask about their insurance policy. Insurance policies allow you to bring a defective or broken piece into the jewelry store for repair. Some jewelers will offer insurance on jewelry that might have been stolen or lost.
Costume Jewelry
If you own costume jewelry, it is important to properly care for it. Quality costume jewelry may cost more, but a cheaply made piece will fall apart and will quickly become unusable. Costume pieces kept in great condition will enhance your collection much more over time.
The color gemstones are an important consideration when shopping for new jewelry. Choose stones that have a reflection on your personality and that also complement the color of your skin. Look for colors in neutral shades that you can wear with any of your favorite clothes. There is no point in buying something that is not functional.
If you are interested in acquiring new jewelry pieces, try to find great sales. If the sale is a good one, you can save a lot of money. Sales can be found online, in store windows, or in your local newspaper. If you buy the older fashions that are from the previous season, you can save a lot of money.
You can untangle delicate necklaces that have become knotted. Don’t give up on getting the knots out, instead get a sheet of plastic wrap. Place the tangled pieces on this plastic with some mineral or baby oil. If the jewelry is tangled and knotted, try using needles to unknot the strands. Next, use dish soap to clean the piece. Finish by using a soft cloth to pat it dry.
When photographing jewelry for online sale, you need to make the presentation of the piece as attractive as possible. This is extra important because the customer can not handle jewelry with an online transaction. Take professional-looking pictures of your pieces and let people know you can send more pictures upon request.
The cut, color and clarity of a diamond can make a bigger impression than size alone. Also, keep in mind the personality of the person you are giving the diamond to.
This means steam saunas and dry saunas. The jewelry can be damaged from extreme heat or moisture.
It is important to visit different jewelers and examine multiple pieces when shopping for diamond jewelry. Every diamond varies and has individual flaws. Some flaws may be less important to you once you actually see it in person. Every jeweler is able to price point differently, depending on the flaw. It will pay to shop different jewelers while looking for the best diamond in your price range.
Don’t swim while wearing your jewelry. The chlorine in swimming pools can ruin a piece of jewelry. In the same way, salt water can have the same effects to jewelry over time. You can extend the longevity of your pieces and keep their beauty intact by removing them prior to swimming.
It is possible to make money while keeping your pieces when it comes to jewelry like bracelets and gold necklaces. By removing several inches of excess material, you will be able to sell a small amount of gold while still having enough of the piece to wear. If you can do this with several chains made of real gold, you might make a significant chunk of pocket change.
Jewelry that has been cared for properly retains its sentimental and economic value. By learning how to treat your jewelry right, you are protecting the memories and dollars invested in it. There’s always more to learn, and as long as you keep discovering about the delight of jewelry, there’ll be more to enjoy.