With gold and jewels costing so much money, purchasing, storing, and even cleaning your jewelry requires some knowledge so that you don’t end up suffering any type of financial loss. It’s always great to have some information at your disposal and this article will clue you in on some great jewelry-specific tips you can use.
It is sometimes hard to stand out from the crowd or find a meaningful piece of jewelry. Jewelry stores usually sell the same type of designs that prove to be a bore after a while. Go bold and purchase handmade artisan jewelry instead. Handmade jewelry will always be a success due to its one-of-a-kind nature. You will never see anyone else wearing the same thing as you and you will also be supporting an artist instead of an import company relying on low wage labor.
When looking to invest in fine jewelry, understand the different price ranges different metals and gemstones fall into. For example, understanding that opal is very expensive, you can already figure out if you see someone selling it for under twenty dollars, it is a fake. Knowing that sterling silver is a lot cheaper than white gold, but quite similar in appearance, can help narrow down your price when looking to invest in a nice pair of earrings.
Don’t discard your antique broach from Grandma, re-purpose it. If you put a chain through it, the broach instantly becomes a fashionable necklace. Vintage jewelry is extremely popular these days and finding a way to make it wearable makes it fashionable. Re-using is also a popular concept in our “green” society. That broach can serve you well with just a slight alteration to its use.
Personalized jewelry will never fail as a gift, especially for Mother’s Day. A ring with the birthstones of all her children will make a Mom beam with delight. You could also get a bangle bracelet with her childrens’ names engraved on the inside. My favourite is a ring with “I Love You” engraved on the inside.
When buying jewelry, the most important thing to consider is what you like and feel comfortable in. Even if bracelets or dangling earrings are in fashion, something that you dislike or don’t feel comfortable in never looks fashionable. When you’re uncomfortable, it shows. When you’re comfortable and like your look, it shows!
When buying pieces of jewelry that are unique, consider trying to buy as much of a complete set as you can. With unique pieces, it may be hard to find other jewelry that is complementary. Buying a complete set of unique jewelry also makes it easy to give each part of the set as a separate gift over time.
If you buy a diamond labelled as antique, research it. You should get a certificate of authenticity with your diamond. This should be from an independent source. Antique diamonds need to be at least a hundred years old to be considered antique. The diamond should also be from a recognizable European art period.
If you have nice jewelry, chances are you will want to clean it from time to time. You will want to use a mild soap and warm water, rinse, and then use a soft cloth to polish it. Always dry your gold and silver jewelry before you store it to keep it from tarnishing and to prevent water stains.
If you are buying a piece of jewelry for a woman, be sure to take the time to make note of the style of jewelry she wears on a daily basis. Once you have a better idea of what her jewelry style is, you will be able to narrow down the styles and types of jewelry items and find one that will be sure to wow her.
When purchasing jewelry, have a friend or family member go with you. They can assist you as you are selecting a piece of jewelry, and they can also remind you of important details that you may have forgotten, like the ring size or favorite gemstone of the person you are buying for. A companion can also keep you from getting overwhelmed as you shop.
If you are purchasing jewelry online, investigate how much experience the seller has in the industry. Pay particular attention to how many years they have been making the items. Look to see that their web site includes a comprehensive description of what they do and search for any reviews or testimonials from clients.
Make sure that the gold on the piece of jewelry you are buying is real. Many jewelers try to sell fake gold as real gold, and you do not want to pay good money for fake gold. To tell if it is real, use a magnet. Real gold does not stick to a magnet, so if it does stick, then it is fake.
Be ready to make alterations for your customers. People do not want to buy something that everybody has, or that will not fit them right. It is relatively easy to make a bracelet or necklace longer or shorter. Offer these alterations for free or at a small price and your customers will be satisfied.
When cleaning your jewelry, make sure to use warm water and soap. Always dry thoroughly with a soft cloth, making sure not to leave any water behind on your jewelry. Some pieces come with special cleaning instructions, so make sure to follow those as well. It is important that you do not use any other chemicals unless specified.
When buying jewelry for someone that you care about, be sure to consider getting a replacement or care plan if seems appropriate. This is important because this is almost like buying insurance for an item that may very well fall apart just from everyday use, even if it is of the utmost quality.
As stated previously in the article, there’s always a potential to suffer a financial loss when dealing with jewelry, whether you’re buying it, selling it, cleaning it, or trying to store it. Use the tips you just read in this article to protect your jewelry and to protect your wallet.
