Knowing about types of jewelry is essential for making good purchases. You could waste money if you make a poor purchasing decision. This article provides several practical tips about jewelry. These tips can help you select and maintain jewelry pieces, while avoiding some of the common pitfalls.
Sterling Silver
When purchasing sterling silver, take along a good magnifying glass, along with a small magnet. Jewelry made with non-precious metals will be attracted to the magnet, revealing any fakes. 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 start a costume jewelry collection, it is important to be aware of the pieces’ condition. Costume jewelery pieces can be expensive but they are not worth the investment if they look too old. A piece that is in excellent condition will increase in value.
Put on the jewelry to see if it hangs correctly, then wear it for a few hours to test the comfort. You can also make a better estimate of the jewelry’s durability after trying it out.
Know how to keep your jewelry beautiful. Various settings, types of metals, and gemstones need different types of care to protect them and make sure they get cleaned properly. A treatment that polishes one stone may scratch another stone. When in doubt about the right way to maintain your jewelry, just ask a professional jeweler.
Costume Jewelry
Costume jewelry has different, specific care requirements. These pieces are often put together with glue, which does not last as long as other methods. Don’t submerge costume jewelry in water or clean it with abrasives. Simply wipe it with a damp warm cloth, followed by a soft, dry cloth. This will assure that you costume jewelry will continue looking great.
If you are trying to sell jewelry on the Internet, make sure that you present it in an attractive way. Since your potential customer will not be able to examine the piece in person, your presentation is very important. Don’t let the background overwhelm the picture.
A diamond’s cut and clarity are often times more important than how big it is. Also, bear in mind the style of the intended recipient.
If you are looking for jewelry as a gift, consider a set rather than an individual piece. The larger jewelry stores will often give discounts on an entire set of jewelry. There is nothing stopping you from splitting a set after buying it; you can use a set for a series of gifts over multiple holidays, for example. It’s a good way to ascertain that you are never without a great gift to give a loved one.
Be sure to always remove your jewelry before going for a swim. Your jewelry’s luster and life can be damaged from the chlorine that is present in the pool water. Saltwater is equally damaging to your precious jewels. Your jewelry will last longer and stay more lustrous if you remember to take it off before getting into the water.
Becoming Tangled
Using robe hooks will help to stop necklaces from becoming tangled. The small hooks can be hung just about anywhere and will allow you to neatly organize and display your necklaces. Hanging your necklaces will keep them looking nice, keep them from becoming tangled together and can work as a beautiful display as well.
If you want to spend a lot of money on some jewelry, then make sure to buy a piece that will last a very long time. Quality and durability are usually givens when you spend big, but style and fashion also come into play. Stick with classic styles. The trendy items of today may be grossly out of fashion tomorrow. Stick to pieces that have stood the test of time.
Gold jewelry can cost a lot of money; this is one of the negatives of falling in love with an item made of this metal. If you simply must have a gold necklace, ring or bracelet, you can spend less by getting fewer karats. For example, a piece that is classed as 18 karat is a minimum of 75% pure gold. This is felt, by many, to be the best value for money when comparing quality to price.
If you are a jewelry maker who sells at craft fairs, holiday markets and such, you may have trouble coming up with ways to properly display it. When looking for materials that you can use in your jewelry, also be on the lookout for creative display materials. All types of things, such as baskets, cigar boxes and racks can turn into incredible jewelry display cases by adding some creativity.
Alexandrite is a beautiful stone that is often overlooked for jewelry. One of the great aspects of this stone is its color-changing ability, depending on whether you are indoors or outdoors. It looks stunning in necklaces, rings and bracelets.
To retain the jewelry’s natural look, clean the piece gently using a lightly dampened cloth. Follow this by gently drying the item with a soft, dry cloth. Don’t use steam cleaners or harsh chemicals on costume or fashion jewelry.
Well, it’s easy when you know how. This article has just touched on a few of things that you should know about this very rewarding hobby. There is much to learn, but at least you’ve now got a few good ideas to put to work.