Deciding which pieces of jewelry to purchase for yourself or as a gift can be a daunting task. Whether you are buying, selling or wanting to maintain your investment, these tips can help you get the most out of your jewelry ventures.
Make sure to store your jewelry away from humidity and air. Keep them stored safely in a closed, dark area, like a jewelry box or drawstring bag. Certain metals begin to tarnish when exposed to humidity. Precious metals can often be polished to remove most tarnish. Non-precious metals often have a single coat of metal. Therefore, polishing them can remove the coat and show the copper that is found underneath.
Sterling Silver
When you go shopping for sterling silver jewelry pieces, take with you a magnet and a monocle. Take the magnet with you to find fake pieces of jewelery, sterling silver will not stick to the magnet. Another way to tell if a metal is sterling silver is to check for a hallmark stamp, for example .sterling, .ster, or .925. If you don’t see such a mark, you might want to reconsider the purchase. This is usually an indication that the piece is fake.
Going through a day wearing the jewelry will let you get familiar with how it hangs and whether or not it will be comfortable. This also helps you to see its durability.
You need to learn the best ways to take care of your jewelry. Jewelry is composed of different stones, metals, and settings that all require different care to be properly maintained. What is beneficial to one stone or setting may hurt another. For the best information on how to look after your jewelry, you should talk to a jeweler.
Plastic Wrap
If there are knots in your necklaces, you can easily untangle them. Sometimes you give up on untangling a mess but you can get yourself some plastic wrap before you do give up. Put your knotted chains on the plastic wrap and cover with a little baby oil. Do the untangling yourself with a pair of needles. Use ordinary dish soap to remove the mineral oil and let dry.
Take the time to shop at several different stores, both online and offline, when considering a diamond jewelry purchase. Every diamond is unique in both its beauty and imperfections. A diamond’s flaws must be seen in person for you to truly understand the impact it has on the stone’s beauty. Depending on the number and types of flaws in a diamond, jewelers may be somewhat flexible in pricing the piece. Do your research and shop smart in order to find the best diamond at the best possible price.
Buying jewelry in sets is worth considering when you want to give that special someone a gift. Some stores give deals when sets of jewelry are purchased. You can even divide the pieces and give them to multiple recipients or on multiple occasions. This ensures that you will have a lovely gift that is sure to match and be cherished.
Do not swim while wearing jewelry. Chlorine is a strong chemical and it can damage the luster and life of your precious jewelry pieces. The cumulative effects of salt water can affect jewelery just as badly. Removing pieces before heading into the water will extend their life and protect their beauty.
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. This goes not only for the quality of the piece but also the style of it. A precious stone tiara may be a great addition to your New Year’s Eve outfit this year, but maybe an elegant diamond tennis bracelet will make you feel like a queen for years to come. Try to find something timeless and classic.
If you will follow the above tips and techniques, you will be able to appraise the value of any jewelry that you are considering buying. Investing in a quality piece of jewelry is a classic move that you will enjoy for years.