It can be well worth your while to thoroughly research any jewelry you are planning to buy or sell. It can be puzzling to know where to start.
Keep your jewelry stored somewhere that is free from humidity or air. To ensure it is protected, keep your jewelry in a drawstring bag or a jewelry box that is closed. Continued exposure to humidity extremes or air causes metals typically used in jewelry to tarnish. Silver polishes work well to remove tarnish, but certain metals, such as bronze, may not polish well. The polish may remove the surface coating and then the metal underneath, such as copper, becomes visible.
Bring a magnet when shopping for sterling silver jewelery. By using the magnet you can quickly determine if the jewelry item is made of a cheaper metal and not sterling silver. True sterling sliver always has some sort of hallmark stamp on it, such as .925, sterling or ster. If there is no marking on the piece, it may not be sterling silver.
You should carefully consider how to best care for your jewelry. Different styles of jewelry affect the way they need to be cared for; one type of metal will need a different treatment than another, for example. A treatment that polishes one stone may scratch another stone. It’s best to speak with a jeweler before you attempt to care of an unfamiliar piece of jewelry.
When you are buying jewelery for someone who is very different or eccentric, try going to a jeweler that will make you a piece that will fit their personality and add to their flair! Finding something that shows you put thought and effort into the gift is more important the the gift itself, so whether or not what you choose exactly what they wanted, they are sure to be pleased.
It is easy to find jewelry on sale. You can save big money with the right sale. Check online, in the store windows, and in the paper for the greatest sales. Sometimes, if you buy a fashion that is not ‘up and coming’, you can save some money.
Have a purpose in mind before shopping for jewelry. There is no point in filling your jewelery box with things you cannot wear. Think about your most-worn wardrobe pieces when choosing jewelry.
If you are selling jewelry on the Internet, you should present these pieces as attractively as possible. This is very important because a customer cannot look at the jewelery if they are buying it online. Take your jewelry photographs in a manner that focuses only on the piece, not anything in the background, and keep the background very plain.
The diamond cut and clarity can make the stone more appealing than the size. Most important of all, make sure that the piece you choose complements the nature of the intended receiver.
A matched jewelry set is a no-fail gift for any woman on your list. You will find that a great deal of stores offer discounts when you buy sets of jewelry. You can then give a piece of the set to a loved one on several different occasions. You will always have presents ready for your loved ones, even if you did not plan in advance.
A good quality clap is very important to any necklace or bracelet. Clasps keep your pendants safe. For very expensive items, like diamond necklaces or gold bracelets, a strong clasp is essential. It is common to have two or three clasps for expensive jewelry.
Remove your jewelery prior to swimming. Chlorine in pools will damage your pieces causing them to lose their luster. Salt water can be equally damaging over time. By removing all of your jewelry before entering the pool or swimming in the ocean, you can prolong its life and keep it looking brilliant.
If you hate finding your jewelry in tangles, you may want to consider using embellished robe hooks to hang your necklaces. Try hanging the hooks on the wall in your bedroom or on the back of the door, then put all your necklaces on them in the fashion that works for you. This will avoid ever having to untangle balls of necklaces in your jewelry box again. Also, the necklaces will look nice hanging up.
The high price of gold can interfere with your fine jewelry purchases. If you must have a gold bracelet or ring, consider looking at a piece with fewer karats in order to spend less money. 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.
It is hard to determine whether a sapphire or a ruby is natural or synthetic. These beautiful stones are chemically and physically identical, but the artificial ones can be supplied for a fraction of the cost of natural flawless ones. Don’t spring for a supposedly natural sapphire until you have it check for “natural inclusions” by a gemologist with a good reputation.
You need true expertise to make smart jewelry buying and selling decisions. Follow these tips and your efforts will be rewarded.
