When you are buying or selling precious jewelry, doing your homework can have its benefits. You may be uncertain where to start.
Clean all of your jewelry with a polishing cloth. A polishing cloth is a very gentle way to get a good shine on all your pieces. You use the special cloth to polish your jewelry just like you would polish your silverware. Use the side that is designated for polish, and the other to make it shine.
Precious Metals
Jewelry is best stored in an area with low humidity. To ensure it is protected, keep your jewelry in a drawstring bag or a jewelry box that is closed. Humidity quickly tarnishes both precious and non-precious metal. Precious metals are able to be polished and retain their luster, but the non-precious metals have a coat, and polishing will cause the metal under it to show through.
Arm yourself with a magnet and a magnifying glass when shopping for sterling silver jewelry. To spot scams, see if the magnet attracts the piece. If it does, then shout “FAKE!” at the top of your lungs and move to the next store. True sterling sliver always has some sort of hallmark stamp on it, such as .925, sterling or ster. If your silver is not marked, it could be because it is not real!
When you go diamond shopping, make sure that you do shopping comparisons. Look at the pieces up close before purchasing them, and be sure to compare them to others. Don’t fall for any of the tricks used by shady dealers. They employ these tactics to make a diamond look better than it really is.
Before committing yourself to a piece, do research to determine which styles are hot and which are not. It is one thing to get a gorgeous bauble, but it is another to get it on sale!
For jewelry to stay shiny and new-looking, it is important to keep it from tarnishing. Do not wear jewelery around water. Exposure can result in tarnishing, rusting or dulling of different metals. If you want to give your jewelry a measure of protection from this element, coat it thinly with clear nail polish.
Try wearing the item for a little while to see if it is comfortable and hangs correctly. This also helps you to see its durability.
You need to know how to care for each piece in your jewelry collection. There’s an ideal way to clean every different type of setting and stone. The best way to care for a particular piece of jewelry could be harmful to a different piece. Consult with a jeweler if you are unsure exactly how to care for your own jewels.
Costume jewelry needs to be handled carefully. These pieces are often put together with glue, which does not last as long as other methods. Avoid using harsh chemicals on these pieces, and do not immerse them. The best way to care for your jewelry is to use one damp cloth to wipe it followed by a dry one to dry it. This keeps dirt from building up and making your jewelry look dull.
Buy jewelry on sale whenever possible. If you find the right sale, you might see a lot of savings. Watch for sales in the newspaper, on the Internet, and even in the stores themselves. Buying styles that are going out of fashion can be a huge money saver, even getting up to 50% off.
As you can see, selling or buying jewelery requires you do your homework, and some hard work, so you can get the most out of it either way. If you remember the tips listed above, you are sure to be successful.