While jewelry shopping is a fun experience, it can be extremely stressful, if the piece you are seeking is expensive. There are various materials in jewelry and they vary in costs. When a shopper is lacking the knowledge to recognize the appropriate prices for the different materials, they may pay much more than necessary. Learn to make smart jewelry purchases with these pointers.
Get a polishing cloth for your jewelery. In this way, you will not have to deal with chemicals or solvents while you achieve the shine you love. Just polish each piece with the special cloth in the same way you would polish a piece of glass. Use a two-sided cleaning cloth, one for polishing and one for shining.
Sterling Silver
Take a magnet and a keen eye with you when you head out to purchase any jewelry made from sterling silver. You can tell if a piece of silver is sterling or not by using a magnet. Sterling will not react to the magnet, but non-precious metals will be attracted. Another way to tell if a metal is sterling silver is to check for a hallmark stamp, for example .sterling, .ster, or .925. If there is no marking on the piece, it may not be sterling silver.
You should expect good jewelry to last the rest of your life, and possibly beyond. It is important to invest in a quality piece of jewelry, so only work with respected and reputable jewelers. A valuable piece of jewelry will be well-made and feature superior craftsmanship. The person selling the piece should know its history, including who made it and the source of the stones. Choosing a high-quality piece of jewelry is important, so that it will last forever.
When you are buying new jewelery, think about the stones you want to get. Think about your skin tone, and also think about your personality as you choose your favorite stones. Neutral colored stones will work well with any outfit in your closet. Taking these things into account will give you a piece of jewelry you can wear many times and in diverse situations.
Think about how best ways to look after your jewelry. The variety of stones, metals and assorted settings will determine the ways in which you care for them. Processes that may work for one type of jewelry may be harmful to others. Your jeweler can give you instructions on proper handling if you are not sure.
If the person you are shopping for is a unique individual, consider choosing a one-of-a-kind piece crafted specifically for them. A unique ring, necklace or bracelet conveys respect for and appreciation of the recipient’s creativity and personality.
You can use a brooch to make your belt stand out, since it is sure to be eye-catching. The best places to pin the brooch for maximum visual impact are the middle of your waist and at hip line.
Wait until after your makeup is complete and set before putting on jewelry. Dust and grime from makeup gravitates towards jewelry, and putting on your jewelry first can leave it looking dull or dingy. This is particularly important in the case of necklaces and earrings.
Before you buy any gemstone, determine what, if any, treatment it received. There are several different types of treatment, and each one needs it’s own type of care. For example, you would not want to use a jewelry cleaner that is incompatible with a certain type of treatment. Doing so could result in irreversible damages to the color and surface of the stone.
Buy jewelry on sale whenever possible. Jewelry sales can save you a significant amount of cash. Locate the best prices online, in newspapers and in stores. You could get great jewelry at discounts close to 50%, especially when it comes to styles that are being phased out.
This pertains to saunas that are steam or dry. The high levels of moisture and heat are very damaging to the jewelry.
Don’t swim while wearing your jewelry. Swimming pools contain chlorine, which can age many types of jewelry prematurely. Salt water is just as bad as chlorinated water. Take off your jewelry before diving in the water to keep them looking their best.
When looking to purchase a considerably expensive jewelry piece, purchase an item that will stay with you for a lifetime. Quality and durability are usually givens when you spend big, but style and fashion also come into play. Even if everyone is wearing a piece at the moment, it might look outdated next year. Select a classic piece that never goes out of fashion.
After reading this, you should have information that you can use to make wiser choices when shopping for jewelry. Use this advice to become a savvier jewelry shopper and owner.
