Whether you buy jewelry for yourself or loved ones, get it as a gift or receive valuable heirloom pieces, you need to know how to buy, sell and care for jewelry responsibly. The below article will provide you some very useful tips for maximizing the value from your effort and money that is put into purchasing jewelry.
Sterling Silver
If you are shopping unmarked sterling silver jewelry, then by all means bring a magnet. Imitations will be attracted to your magnet. This is an easy way to recognize quality. Your sterling silver jewelery should always be imprinted if it is real. The stamp may read “.925” or “ster”. If your silver is not marked, it could be because it is not real!
Jewelry should last a life-time. When buying jewelry, only buy from dealers with good reputations, so that you don’t buy a piece that seems durable, but really isn’t. You can tell when jewelry is of high quality, due to the excellent craftsmanship. The jeweler should be able to give you a history on the piece, like who crafted it and where the stones came from if there are any. You’ll create an heirloom tomorrow if you choose high-quality jewelry today.
Keep your jewelry from getting tarnished in order to keep it looking it’s best. Avoid wearing your jewelry near water. Many types of metal will become dulled, tarnished, or rusty when exposed to it. You can give your jewelry an additional layer of protection by applying a thin coat of clear nail polish to it.
Put the jewelry on and wear it for a bit so you can describe the comfort and fit. This will also let you know how the piece holds up in every day environments.
Try on a few different stones when you are shopping for jewelry. Try to choose a stone that meshes well with your taste or personality. Also, consider what looks good on you. Neutral colored stones go well with many different outfits. Buying a stone that you will never wear is pointless
Buy jewelry on sale whenever possible. If you find the right sale, you might see a lot of savings. Look for great deals in old-fashioned newspapers, on the Internet, and even at retail stores. Buying styles that are going out of fashion can be a huge money saver, even getting up to 50% off.
You should always know what you plan on doing with jewelry when purchasing it. What’s the fun in buying jewelry you never actually wear? Think about the style of clothing you will be wearing when choosing a piece of jewelry.
Take the time to shop at several different stores, both online and offline, when considering a diamond jewelry purchase. No two diamonds are exactly the same, each will have different flaws. Some flaws may not seem that critical to you when you see the diamond in person. In addition, each jeweler evaluates the flaws as a basis for setting different prices. Comparison shop between various jewelers to locate the best diamond in the price range that you can afford.
It is vitally important that each of your bracelets and necklaces have a strong clasp attached to them. Weak clasps can cause the loss of expensive pendants, chains and stones. For especially valuable necklaces and bracelets, adding a safety clasp to the piece is a good way to safeguard them. You could even have more than one clasp installed on your most prized items.
Always remove your jewelry before swimming. Chlorine is damaging to many types of metals that jewelry is made of. The cumulative effects of salt water can affect jewelery just as badly. By taking your jewelry off of your body before swimming, you will be protecting it from the harsh chlorine and salt.
Onyx and crystal can be wonderful jewelry options. You don’t have to waste money to get great results.
You’ll want to properly display your hand made jewelry when setting it up to sell. When on the look out for material involved in the creation of your piece, don’t forget about creative displays. Different types of boxes, stands, racks and baskets can all be turned into jewelry when you think outside the box.
There are reasons that rubies are such a classic. Even though genuine rubies are consistently red, there are many different shades, ranging from a light pink to a deep, dark red. This beautiful jewel is very durable and can stand up to exposure to chemicals as well as a sharp impact. So, they’re not only beautiful, they’re strong, making them an excellent choice for jewelry.
Many people wear gold and silver jewelry pieces together. However, you have to find jewelry that incorporates both metals into one piece. If you do not, the look will appear dated and sloppy.
Jewelry that has been cared for properly retains its sentimental and economic value. Protecting your jewelry investment can be as simple as learning proper care methods. Educate yourself with the information available about caring for your jewelry and you will enjoy it for many years.
