Jewelry can be intimidating if you aren’t familiar with it. Perhaps you’ve received a gift or inheritance, or purchased a piece on a whim. The question is: where do you start? You can be more educated as a consumer by reading the hints in this article about jewelry.
Don’t use acetone, bleach, ammonia or turpentine to clean copper. This can cause your stones to turn and dull in color, along with eating away any enamel on the pieces.
You should always store your jewelry very carefully. It’s better to keep pieces separate by using boxes, holders, hooks and other containers. Resist the temptation to jumble all your pieces into a community box. This can hurt very fragile jewelry, and tangle necklaces or bracelets.
Natural Gems
Before you buy a gemstone, ask what type of gemstone it is. There are basically three distinct types: natural gems, synthetic gems and imitation stones. Natural stones and synthetic gems are both real, but imitation gems are probably just colored glass or plastic. Natural gems are those that are actually from the earth, whereas synthetic ones are made in labs.
When you purchase jewelry, you are investing in an item that will last a lifetime. When choosing jewelry, you should always buy from a reputable store or dealer, in order to ensure you only get high-quality pieces. Any high-quality jewelry will show superior craftsmanship, and will be well-made. The jeweler must be able to provide a history of the piece. This will tell you who made the piece, and where the components came from. This way, you can ensure you are paying a fair price. Take your time when selecting a high-quality piece if you want it to last you for a long time.
Do your research before settling on one diamond. Get up close to inspect the diamond carefully. Make a comparison with other pieces you have looked at. Less-scrupulous jewelry sellers have many ways to enhance the appearance of a sub-par diamond, so you have to stay alert.
Take the time to notice what kind of jewelry they already wear. For example, if they wear earrings, are they hoop or studs? Do they prefer white or yellow metals? This should give you a grasp of their tastes, and some ideas about what to buy for them.
Ask about insurance from your jeweler before purchasing a new piece. If you can get insurance, you know that you will be covered if something happens to your jewelry. Many jewelers also have insurance for lost or stolen pieces.
When buying jewelry, think about what kind of stone would be right. Choose a stone that goes well with your skin tone or the kind of clothes you wear and reflects your personality. Look for colors in neutral shades that you can wear with any of your favorite clothes. A piece that is hard to wear is not as useful as one that goes with everything.
Taking proper care of your jewelry requires careful consideration. Not all types of jewelry can be cleaned in the same manner. What works for one material could damage another. Speak with a knowlegeable jeweler if you do not know the best way to take care of your jewels.
Investigate your gemstone to determine if it has been treated before you purchase it, and what type of treatment it had. It is important to understand the varying treatment processes because each one requires a specific care regimen. Knowing the proper care techniques for your gemstone will prevent you from accidentally damaging it by stripping it of its protective treatment.
Jewelry is a very large topic, and there are a lot of things to know about it. Yet, when you arm yourself with the proper knowledge through research, you are well on your way to ensuring you can both purchase quality pieces and care for those pieces properly. Buying and selling jewelry is fun and exciting! These tips should prove useful for your journey.