When it comes to jewelry, it is practically impossible to overload on information. One mistake could result in costing you a small fortune. Read on to find a variety of tips about jewelry. With these tips, you can steer clear of potential pitfalls and have the best experience possible with buying, giving, and maintaining jewelry.
Get a polishing cloth for your jewelery. This method ensures your jewelry stays shiny without having to use any chemical cleansers or solvents. To clean your jewelry, obtain a soft two-sided cloth and gently rub in a circular motion. First, use the polishing side to polish it up, then use the other side to shine it.
Never store your jewelry in open air or humidity. To ensure it is protected, keep your jewelry in a drawstring bag or a jewelry box that is closed. Precious, as well as non-precious metals, will tarnish if they are exposed to humidity and air over time. 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.
Sterling Silver
A magnet is a useful tool when shopping for jewelry in sterling silver. To spot scams, see if the magnet attracts the piece. If it does, then shout “FAKE!” at the top of your lungs and move to the next store. Your sterling silver jewelery should always be imprinted if it is real. The stamp may read “.925” or “ster”. If the piece that you are looking at is not hallmarked, this is usually the sign that it is a fake.
When purchasing jewels, you should understand which type of stone you are getting. You have three options as far as the type of gem: natural, imitation and synthetic. While natural and synthetic stones are the real deal, imitation stones are made to look like a real gemstone, but could be anything from colored glass to plastic. Natural stones are found in the earth and are mined out, while synthetic ones are grown in laboratories.
Always shop around when buying a diamond. Closely examine pieces you like, and compare them with similar items you are interested in. Be alert, since there are various ways to deceive consumers into thinking a diamond is better then it really is.
Costume Jewelry
If you are interested in collecting costume jewelry, be sure to stay conscious of the condition. Costume jewelry can prove to be a good investment, but also a costly one; keep in mind the pieces you wish to add to your collection don’t show too much wear. A good piece will give you many years of happiness and even gain value over time.
Wear the jewelry piece for a day so that you can get an idea of how comfortable it is and if it hangs right. This will also help you to determine if the piece is sufficiently durable.
If you are getting jewelry for someone you consider to be one-of-a-kind, think about buying a piece that’s the same: unique and specially-crafted. Show your affection for the person by recognizing their unique qualities; put some thought into the purchase and be creative.
Makeup isn’t for jewelry. Let your makeup dry before you put on a piece of jewelry. Makeup can gravitate dust and grime towards your jewelry leaving it to look dull. This is particularly important with necklaces and earrings.
When photographing a jewelry piece to sell online, aim to present it attractively, in a well-lit, close-up and clear photograph. Your customer can’t actually see the jewelry, so they must make the decision solely based on your pictures. Take professional-looking pictures of your pieces and let people know you can send more pictures upon request.
Well, it’s easy when you know how. This article has just touched on a few of things that you should know about this very rewarding hobby. There is much to learn, but at least you’ve now got a few good ideas to put to work.