The world of jewelry is full of opportunity. Jewelry is created from a variety of different materials and there is a vast cost difference between each type. Without the proper knowledge, a shopper risks paying too much for a piece. This article will show you how to make your jewelry purchases wisely.
Clean all of your jewelry with a polishing cloth. This easy technique can make your jewelry bright and shiny without the use of harsh solvents and chemicals. Use a two-sided cloth to simply polish your jewelry as if it were composed of glass. Use a two-sided cloth to clean your jewelry, one for polishing, and the other for shining.
Steer clear of ammonia, bleach or other strong chemical solvents when you need to clean these items. This can cause your stones to turn and dull in color, along with eating away any enamel on the pieces.
Sterling Silver
When you go shopping for sterling silver jewelry pieces, take with you a magnet and a monocle. You can detect fake sterling silver with the magnet, since non-precious metals are drawn to magnets. You can recognize sterling silver by stamps that say ‘.925’ or ‘ster’. If you cannot find a stamp, you might be looking at a cheap imitation.
Find out more about the gems you look at. Ask about where they came from and to which category they belong. There are different types of gems, including imitation, natural and lab produced. While both natural and synthetic stones are still real, imitation is just glass or plastic made to look like the natural stone. Synthetic gems are grown in a lab, natural gems are dug out of the Earth.
Jewelry should last a life-time. Don’t buy jewelry from less than reputable stockists if you expect your pieces to be of the highest quality. Any high-quality jewelry will show superior craftsmanship, and will be well-made. The jeweler you buy it from should be providing you with a provenance on the piece. Details of where it came from, what it is made from and who made it. When you are looking for jewelry of the highest quality, it is important to be careful in your choice, as you want something that will last a lifetime.
Before you buy a new piece of jewelry, look at what the current trends are. If there is one thing better than a beautiful piece of jewelry, it’s finding that jewelry at a great price!
Costume Jewelry
Make careful note of the condition of costume jewelry you wish to collect. 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. Jewelry that’s in good repair can be a much better investment.
Many people find it hard to shop for unique individuals. The trick is picking something unique for them, maybe something made just for them. Show your affection for the person by recognizing their unique qualities; put some thought into the purchase and be creative.
Before purchasing a gemstone, find out if it has been treated, and if so, how. Care for your gemstone is different, depending on how it was previously treated. You want to avoid unknowingly cleaning the gem with a chemical or solution that could strip off the protective treatment.
Plastic Wrap
Untangle your knotted messes of delicate chains and necklaces. Instead of giving up a knotted chain as hopeless, try using plastic wrap and some clear oil. Place your jewelry on the plastic wrap and add a little baby oil. You would then untangle the necklace using needles. Wash any oil residue from the necklace with dishwashing liquid, and gently pat it dry.
Hopefully you can take this advice and use it to make your next jewelry purchase a memorable one. This advice can save you a ton of money when you go to the jewelers.