No matter if you received, bought or inherited a piece of jewelry, the jewelry world can be downright puzzling. Where can you find quality information about this time-honored craft? This article includes tips written to make you a more informed customer.
Costume jewelry is worth considering if you’re going to work and don’t wish to wear any jewelry that has a high value attached to it. Costume pieces of jewelry don’t contain any precious metals or gemstones, which makes them highly affordable and widely available. This type of jewelry does tend to tarnish over time and cannot be shined with a polishing cloth.
When choosing your wedding band set, keep in mind the jewelry you already own and regularly wear. A yellow gold wedding band isn’t the best choice if most of the jewelry you already own is white gold or silver. You will most likely be wearing your wedding band every day. Make sure it’s not only something you like, but something that matches what you already own.
Never, EVER buy fake jewelry for someone you love! That means gold-plated, cubic zirconia, or gold-filled. Stick to the real stuff – you can get a bargain on real gold, silver, or even platinum if you look hard enough. Fake jewelry can turn the skin black or green, and that is the LAST thing you want to do!
To avoid breaking the chain of your necklace, pair it with a pendant that matches it in weight. A thin necklace should only be worn with delicate charms, and heavy pendants should be saved for thick, durable chains that can handle the strain. This tip also applies to charm bracelets.
Any time that you are working on cleaning your house or any other place, you should first remove any pieces of jewelry that you are wearing. Not only is there a strong possibility of loss, but the cleaning chemicals can be very strong on your fine jewelry. Avoid these problems by first removing any jewelry.
Be very careful with the types of beauty products that you wear near your fine jewelry. Some types of perfumes and even many lotions include ingredients that can damage your jewelry over time. Try to wear perfume in locations that won’t make contact with whatever you are wearing and you will be able to avoid this problem.
Make sure that you understand the language and jargon the jewelers speak. When you go looking at jewelry they will throw out information about the grade of the stones. It is important that you know what they are talking about and it will save both you and the jeweler time if you understand at least a little bit about the language that they use.
Always store your pearls flat, and in a silk pouch. Pearls scratch very easily and so, soft silk is the safest material to store them in. Hanging pearls is a bad option because it can stretch the knotted string over time and ruin your precious investment.
When you clean your jewelry, be sure to dry it and polish it before returning it to storage. This is especially true for gold and silver jewelry. The metal can tarnish if left damp. The stones in your jewelry will also develop water stains if they are put away with water on them.
If you love making jewelry, don’t neglect “found” items in your designs! You can use all kinds of interesting tidbits to add flair and originality to your creations. For example, vintage buttons can make some very nice earrings! If you’re into kitch, a collectible soda pop cap can make a cute pin! Be open-minded and creative to craft handmade treasures that will really stand out!
If you are looking for diamond jewelry of any kind, remember to ask if the diamond you are considering is “conflict free”. Diamonds that are not conflict free may have been indirectly the cause of a great deal of suffering and even death. Conflict free diamonds are mined, processed, and exported under exacting conditions that do not allow any illegal activity or violence.
Stay away from fads when buying expensive jewelry. Decide whether the ring or necklace you want to buy will be out of style in a couple years. Buying jewelry can often be an investment with a great turnaround. But if the piece of jewelry goes out of style it can be next to worthless when you turn around and try to sell it.
Giving your loved one the gift of a piece of jewelry is an awesome opportunity to add some romance. Be sure to gift wrap the package, and add a beautiful bow or ribbon to it. Take her to a nice restaurant, and have the box presented to her on a platter as her “dessert.”
If you have a good piece of jewelry that you wish to sell, think about taking it to an appraiser or a gemologist. This will ensure that you get an honest quote, and you can use the information to help you know what offers are good and which are not when selling.
An important jewelry tip is to avoid focusing solely on carat weight when selecting precious gemstones such as diamonds. Cut, color and clarity play significant roles in the overall appearance and sparkle of a stone, and should be given equal consideration. By keeping these factors in mind, you will avoid paying a premium for something that does not necessarily improve the look of your jewelry.
Now you see the wide and splendid array of jewelry that has been created. Doing your research is essential when you are searching for a quality piece. Furthermore, learning to care for your purchase will ensure that it lasts for years to come. Welcome to the exciting and dazzling world of beautiful jewelry! Get the most from your next jewelry shopping spree by following these tips.
