Jewelery is a wide topic and it can be confusing to learn about all the different aspects. Where can you find quality information about this time-honored craft? This article will address a few pieces of advice that will help you be a better educated consumer of jewelry.
Take care to store your jewelry safely. The right jewelry box that has separate compartments, hooks and holders to keep the pieces apart is the best choice. Avoid just throwing them into a box in an unorganized manner. Not only will your necklaces get all tangled up, you risk damaging all your fragile and fine jewelry pieces.
Sterling Silver
Having a good eye to catch the details, and a magnet, are key when you are considering the purchase of any type of sterling silver jewelry. Take the magnet with you to find fake pieces of jewelery, sterling silver will not stick to the magnet. Sterling silver always has some sort of stamp to indicate it is sterling. If the item has no markings indicating its authenticity, then be wary.
Be sure that you understand the kind of gemstone that is in the jewelry that you are purchasing. Natural gems and imitation gems have been joined recently by synthetic gems, making three main categories. Imitation gems are made out of glass or plastic; natural and synthetic gems both consist of real gemstone. Natural stones are found in mines, while synthetic stones are produced by machines.
See what types of earrings they wear, what color, if they wear ankle bracelets, etc. Once you are aware of their preferences, you will be in a better position to determine what to buy them.
Before adding a piece of jewelry to your collection, research current trends. It is better to get a gorgeous bauble on sale!
Always ask the jeweler about an insurance policy before buying a new piece of jewelry. Insurance policies allow you to bring a defective or broken piece into the jewelry store for repair. Some jewelers will offer insurance on jewelry that might have been stolen or lost.
Costume Jewelry
When collecting costume jewelry, pay close attention to the condition of any piece you are considering. Quality costume jewelry may cost more, but a cheaply made piece will fall apart and will quickly become unusable. Jewelry that’s in good repair can be a much better investment.
It is a good idea to determine the best approaches for jewelry care. Depending on the metals and stones used in your jewelry, along with how they are set, you will need different maintenance methods. What works for a certain kind of stone may not work for another. Consult with a jeweler if you are unsure exactly how to care for your own jewels.
Before you buy any gemstone, determine what, if any, treatment it received. The kind of care your stone needs is dependent on what it was treated with. 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.
When selling jewelry on the Internet, make the extra effort to present it in the best light possible. Since your potential customer will not be able to examine the piece in person, your presentation is very important. Take photos that clearly focus on the jewelry, without a distracting background.
More desirable than a big piece is the cut and clarity of the diamond. Most important of all, make sure that the piece you choose complements the nature of the intended receiver.
As you have seen, jewelry has many wonderful aspects. With some research and dedication, you can be sure you are buying some quality pieces and take care of the the right way. The jewelry world is rewarding and exciting, so join in the hunt! As you begin your journey, these tips can act as guideposts.