It can be great fun to go jewelry shopping, but the price tags can be stressful. Jewelry is created from a variety of different materials and there is a vast cost difference between each type. People who are uneducated with shopping for jewelry can pay more than they need to for a piece. Keep reading to discover useful insight into the most effective way to shop for jewelry.
To keep your jewelry looking attractive, polish it regularly using a cloth made especially for this purpose. These cloths can replace the need for chemicals or solvents during the process. You use the special cloth to polish your jewelry just like you would polish your silverware. Use one side of the cloth for polishing, and the reverse to make it sparkle.
Be cautious of the way all of your personal jewelry gets stored together. Use a box that has several different compartments and hooks to keep your pieces apart. Tossing all of your jewelry into the same box is a bad plan. This can damage the finer and more fragile pieces, and items like necklaces can entangle with each other and other pieces into a big mess.
Sterling Silver
When you go shopping for sterling silver jewelry pieces, take with you a magnet and a monocle. By using the magnet you can quickly determine if the jewelry item is made of a cheaper metal and not sterling silver. Sterling silver should always bear a stamp that says Sterling, Ster. or .925. If the item has no markings indicating its authenticity, then be wary.
If you want to collect costume jewelry, concentrate on getting quality peices. Well-done costume jewelry is often worth the price, but if it’s worn out or visibly damaged, it won’t be worth the effort it takes to restore it. A good piece will give you many years of happiness and even gain value over time.
Put the jewelry on and wear it for a bit so you can describe the comfort and fit. This will also help you to determine if the piece is sufficiently durable.
Caring for your jewelry properly is important; you should definitely give it some consideration. Metals, gemstones and settings all have different storage and cleaning requirements. A technique that is effective for one type of stone or metal may actually cause damage to another. Your jeweler can give you instructions on proper handling if you are not sure.
To preserve the pristine look of your jewelry, apply your make-up first, wait for it to set, then put on your jewelry. Makeup can gravitate dust and grime towards your jewelry leaving it to look dull. This tip especially applies to necklaces and earrings.
Buy jewelry on sale whenever possible. Jewelry sales offer big savings. Check for great sales online, in the newspaper, and even storefront windows. Sometimes, you can save about half the original price on trendy pieces that aren’t as trendy anymore.
Know your options when shopping for diamonds. No diamond is without its flaws, and every piece is unique. Some flaws may be less important to you once you actually see it in person. Jewelers have some flexibility with the price depending on the severity of the flaws. Shop around and find the best diamond you can for the price you can afford.
Expensive Pieces
Any piece of jewelry that wraps around and attaches, such as a necklace or a bracelet, absolutely must have a quality clasp. Weak clasps put your expensive pieces of jewelry at risk of loss. It is a wise idea to add a safety clasp to any expensive pieces of jewelry to avoid having them slip off accidentally. Adding more than one clasp to a jewelry piece may even be appropriate to provide greater security against loss.
Don’t just buy a piece of jewelry because of what the brand is. Many people won’t know where you got it, and many sellers try to sell these brands so that you pay a lot for them. It is not difficult to find quality jewelry that is made by different brands.
The high price of gold could cause you to pass up a piece of jewelry you really want. It is possible to save extra money when you compromise on karats, if gold necklaces or rings are what your heart truly desires. 18 karat pieces are made up of at least 75% pure gold. This is considered to be the best combination of price and quality.
Rubies have been a highly desired stone for a long time, and for good reason. Rubies have an intriguing range of beautiful shades of red, maroon and rose. Rubies are also known for their durability, as they can withstand impact and chemical exposure surprisingly well. Rubies are the perfect choice, if you desire a stone that is strong, as well as beautiful.
Do your best to stick to 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. Engaged couples who are young and not yet financially sound are better off purchasing an inexpensive starter ring. Then, you can always upgrade at a later time when your finances are much better.
Costume Jewelry
When cleaning your costume jewelry, avoid damaging the setting by using a damp cloth to wipe the surface the jewelry. Next, use a soft cloth to dry the entire piece. Keep costume jewelry away from steam cleaners or powerful chemicals.
Surprise the ones you love with buying them a thoughtful piece of jewelery. A surprise jewelry gift is something practically every woman dreams about. 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.
Now that you’ve read this article, you know a little more about how to make wise jewelry purchases. This advice can save you a ton of money when you go to the jewelers.