Jewelry shopping is usually a lot of fun, but it can also be stressful, if you are looking to buy a very expensive piece of jewelry. There are dozens of types of materials that are used to make different pieces of jewelry, and they each come with a different price tag. A shopper who hasn’t done their homework can wind up overpaying for a piece. Read this article to get a better idea of what to buy, and what to pay for it.
Try using a polishing cloth on all of the jewelry in a collection. With this method, you can simply shine it up and not deal with the hassle of using cleaners. All you do is polish it like you would a glass with the two-sided cloth. Use a two-sided cloth to clean your jewelry, one for polishing, and the other for shining.
Be cautious of the way all of your personal jewelry gets stored together. Jewelry should be stored in an organized way in a box, a jewelry holder or hung on hooks. Tossing all of your jewelry into the same box is a bad plan. Not only can it damage finer, fragile pieces, but it can also make a tangled mess out of chains.
Keep jewelry stored safely and away from both air and humidity. A jewelry box or drawstring bag out of a humid area is ideal. Certain metals begin to tarnish when exposed to humidity. Precious metal jewelry can be polished to fix tarnish, but non-precious metals coated with a finish will never get back to their previous state.
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. You will always find a hallmark stamp such as “.925” or “STER.” on genuine sterling, or alternately, it might simply say, “STERLING”. If you don’t see such a mark, you might want to reconsider the purchase. This is usually an indication that the piece is fake.
Be sure that you understand the kind of gemstone that is in the jewelry that you are purchasing. Three different kinds of gems are available for purchase: imitation, synthetic and natural. You have to know that imitation refers to colored plastic. Natural stones are found underground and synthetic gems are created in a lab.
When you are looking for jewelry to purchase, give careful thought to the stones you prefer. Think about your skin tone, and also think about your personality as you choose your favorite stones. Neutral colored stones go well with many different outfits. Do not buy something if it does not work for you.
If your “giftee” is a unique person, try finding a special piece that is crafted specifically for them. Show your affection for the person by recognizing their unique qualities; put some thought into the purchase and be creative.
One way to ensure that your jewelry stays clean is to put it only after you have applied your make-up and it has had time to set. Dust and grime from makeup gravitates towards jewelry, and putting on your jewelry first can leave it looking dull or dingy. Especially keep this tip in mind for necklaces or earrings.
If you are selling your jewelry online, make sure it is presented attractively. A nice photo and description is essential since your online customer will not be able to see the piece in person. Make the piece of jewelry the main focus of the photograph, rather than its surroundings.
Resist the common notion that size matters; concentrate instead on quality and clarity. It is important to consider the character of the individual you are purchasing the diamond for.
Brand should not be the only consideration when purchasing jewelry. Not may people notice trendy names or brands in jewelry. If the salesperson tries to push a certain brand in you, they probably paid too much for the item as well. There are excellent quality jewelry pieces from various brands.
The high price of gold can interfere with your fine jewelry purchases. Though genuine gold is pricey, remember that it can be more affordable if you consider pieces with lower karats. Gold that is deemed 18 karats contains at least 75 percent pure gold, and many consider this to be the best quality and value for the 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. A lot of this starts with the jewelry itself. When you are crafting it, think about how it will look when you try to sell it. With a bit of ingenuity, even the most random object can be transformed easily into a unique jewelry display case. Look for interesting ways to use things like hatboxes, baskets and unique sculptures.
Whether it is a ring, watch or a beautiful new bracelet, you can use the advice in the article above to buy your next piece of jewelry with confidence. Not only are you going to save yourself some time, but you also are going to save quite a few dollars by following the tips and tricks in this article.
