The idea of jewelry can be just as impressive as the bright pieces you wear. Milestones and major life events are often celebrated with jewelry, creating an unforgettable memory for both the giver and the recipient. Whether you are buying, selling or just want to enjoy your jewelry more, you need the right tips to help you get the most out of your experience.
Harsh chemicals and solvents can damage the finish of your jewelry and should never be used to clean it. You can turn your stones this way and it will eat away the enamel on the pieces.
If you want to buy sterling silver pieces, use a magnet and examine the jewelry very carefully. Use the magnet to detect fake jewelry; real silver will not be attracted to the magnet, but the cheaper metals will. Also, look to make sure that silver is hallmarked and stamped with .925, sterling or ster. Silver jewelry that lacks a hallmark may be a fake or composed of other metals.
Know the distinctions between kinds of gems before you make a jewelry purchase. There are different types of gems, including imitation, natural and lab produced. 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. The difference here, however, is that synthetic is man-made in a laboratory while natural is found buried in the earth.
Do they prefer to wear over-sized pieces or more delicate styles? Yellow gold or silver? These answers should give you a reasonable starting point for your shopping.
Ask the jeweler what type of insurance is available for your purchase. If your jewelry becomes damaged, you can return it to the source and have it repaired. You should also think about getting additional insurance in cause of theft or loss.
Research the proper methods for cleaning your jewelry. The variety of stones, metals and assorted settings will determine the ways in which you care for them. A technique that is effective for one type of stone or metal may actually cause damage to another. For the best information on how to look after your jewelry, you should talk to a jeweler.
Costume Jewelry
Special care is required for costume jewelry. Many of the stones and embellishments are just glued in instead of set in a professional setting. Therefore, you shouldn’t get costume jewelry wet or expose it to harsh chemicals. Simply wipe it with a damp warm cloth, followed by a soft, dry cloth. This keeps costume jewelry looking its best.
Have a unique piece of jewelry made for the special person on your gift list. Besides affection and admiration, an ideal jewelry gift expresses creativity and thoughtfulness. A custom-made piece selected to suit the recipient’s personality is an excellent way for you to demonstrate these feelings.
If you are in the market for jewelry, always seek out sales. You can save a lot of money with the right sale. You can snag a sweet sale by perusing your neighborhood shops, checking the classified ads, or even going online. Buying styles that are going out of fashion can be a huge money saver, even getting up to 50% off.
Using robe hooks will help to stop necklaces from becoming tangled. Create an instant necklace storage area by mounting a row of these hooks on a closet wall. This will avoid ever having to untangle balls of necklaces in your jewelry box again. Also, the necklaces will look nice hanging up.
If you want to spend a lot of money on some jewelry, then make sure to buy a piece that will last a very long time. Although you usually get high-quality jewelry when you spend a lot of money, you also need to consider the style of the piece. Something that you think is trendy at this time may not look so great several years from now. Look for something classic and timeless.
To most people, jewelry symbolizes more than just a monetary investment, it symbolizes a memory which is truly priceless. Every piece of jewelry has its own story, whether it reminds you of a special time in your life, or represents an important part of your personality.