Some jewelry is worth a lot of money because of the type of material it’s made out of or the history of its past owners. Don’t let a fun, exciting trip to the jewelry store become stressful if your favorite pieces’ price tags far exceed the amount you can afford to pay for them. Depending on the material a piece of jewelry is made of, the price varies greatly for each piece. A shopper who hasn’t done their homework can wind up overpaying for a piece. Read on for some tips on becoming a jewelry shopping pro.
Polishing Cloth
Try cleaning your jewelry collection with a polishing cloth. This is a chemical-free method to maintain the appearance of your fine jewelry. Simply use the two-sided polishing cloth to polish your jewelry the same way you would polish a glass. First, use the polishing side to polish it up, then use the other side to shine it.
Always keep your jewelry in a place that doesn’t experience extreme temperatures or humidities. To ensure it is protected, keep your jewelry in a drawstring bag or a jewelry box that is closed. All metals will tarnish if they are subjected to too much air and humidity. Precious metals can often be polished to remove most tarnish. Non-precious metals often have a single coat of metal. Therefore, polishing them can remove the coat and show the copper that is found underneath.
Sterling Silver
When shopping for sterling silver jewelry, it is a good idea to bring a small magnet along with you. 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 piece is not hallmarked in any way, be leery of its authenticity because oftentimes it is a sign of a fake.
Know the distinctions between kinds of gems before you make a jewelry purchase. You have three options as far as the type of gem: natural, imitation and synthetic. You have to know that imitation refers to colored plastic. Natural comes from the ground, while synthetic ones are created in a lab.
When you are shopping for diamonds, there are ways to compare the stones. Closely examine pieces you like, and compare them with similar items you are interested in. Be aware that some dealers will use cheap tactics to make a diamond look better than it is.
Costume Jewelry
Look at the condition of costume jewelry before making a purchase. Costume jewelry can prove to be a good investment, but also a costly one; keep in mind the pieces you wish to add to your collection don’t show too much wear. Investing in quality means that you can enjoy the jewelry for many years to come.
Think carefully about what stones you want in your jewelry. You should chose stones that reflect your personality, as well as complement your skin tone. Look for colors in neutral shades that you can wear with any of your favorite clothes. Buying something that does not work with multiple outfits is pointless.
It’s a simple way to turn a plain belt into something more eye catching. You can pin it centered at your waist or closer to your hip.
Plastic Wrap
If you have tangled necklaces, you can untangle them with ease. It’s easy to get frustrated when trying to get the knots out of a badly tangled necklace, but try using some plastic wrap before you call it quits. Put the necklace on the plastic wrap and add a little mineral oil or baby oil. Untangle it with some needles. Wash it gently with a bit of dish soap and then pat it dry.
Have a purpose in mind before shopping for jewelry. It is not beneficial to have a large box full of jewelry that you will not wear. Think about the style of clothing you will be wearing when choosing a piece of jewelry.
When photographing a jewelry piece to sell online, aim to present it attractively, in a well-lit, close-up and clear photograph. Your customer can’t actually see the jewelry, so they must make the decision solely based on your pictures. Be sure your photographs show good details of the jewelry and few, if any, details of the surroundings.
Resist the common notion that size matters; concentrate instead on quality and clarity. It’s also important to consider the personality of whomever is to receive the diamond.
Before you purchase a diamond ring, necklace or bracelet, shop around and compare your options. Every diamond is unique and has its own flaws. A diamond’s flaws must be seen in person for you to truly understand the impact it has on the stone’s beauty. And each jeweler will set price differently according to flaws. Make sure you browse different shops to locate the best diamond for the price range you have in mind.
Never swim with your jewelry on. Chlorine from a pool is a chemical and can tarnish and damage precious jewelry. Saltwater is equally damaging to your precious jewels. Taking these off before swimming will protect their beauty and extend their life.
After perusing this article, use the invaluable suggestions provided the next time you consider acquiring cuff links, watches, rings, bracelets and necklaces. These helpful tips will save you both time and money.