Do your personal sense of style and your wardrobe of outfits, need a little infusion of pizzazz from a well-selected piece of jewelry? Maybe you just need a nice gift for a friend. By following the advice in this article you can feel confident on whatever selection you make.
Store your jewelry carefully. A better idea is to keep the pieces separate by using boxes, hooks, compartments or holders. You should never simply throw your jewelry into a box in a messy pile. Not only will your necklaces get all tangled up, you risk damaging all your fragile and fine jewelry pieces.
Sterling Silver
When you are shopping for jewelry in sterling silver, be sure to examine the piece closely, and take along a magnet for metal testing. You can detect fake sterling silver with the magnet, since non-precious metals are drawn to magnets. Sterling silver should always bear a stamp that says Sterling, Ster. or .925. If you don’t see a stamp of any sort on a piece, then be wary of whether it is actually silver or not.
When you buy jewelry, it should last the rest of your life. To ensure you are buying a quality piece, refuse to deal with anybody but the most reputable of jewelers. Quality jewelry will be constructed to last, and show a fine attention to detail. A good jeweler can provide you with some background on the piece, such as who crafted it, where it was manufactured, and where any stones in it came from. A quality item of jewelry will last a lifetime or more, so take the time to do your research.
Watch to see whether they usually wear necklaces or bracelets, or if they prefer dangly earrings to studs. This will give you a good idea of where to start when purchasing that special item.
Ask about any insurance a jeweler may offer when you are buying jewelry. Many stores offer a policy where you can bring broken or damaged jewelry back to the original jeweler for repair at little to no cost. In some instances, you can even insure your jewelry against loss or theft.
If you are buying jewelry for someone who values her individuality, find a one-of-a-kind piece or commission a piece designed specifically for her. 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.
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. Putting jewelry on prior to applying makeup or hairspray allows gunk and grime from your beauty products to settle on the jewelry, leaving it dull and potentially harming the finish. Especially keep this tip in mind for necklaces or earrings.
Investigate your gemstone to determine if it has been treated before you purchase it, and what type of treatment it had. There are several different types of treatment, and each one needs it’s own type of care. If your gem was treated you have to find out how to clean it properly.
When you are looking for new jewelry, the first thing to do is to check what is on sale. Buying at the right moment can mean big savings. You will find advertisements for the sales in a variety of media mediums including on the net, in newspapers, and also in the stores themselves. Sometimes, you can save about half the original price on trendy pieces that aren’t as trendy anymore.
With the advice you’ve learned here, you should be better prepared to select, appraise and care for any kind of jewelry. If you choose quality jewelry, you will enjoy it for many years.