Whether it was passed down to you or purchased as a gift, jewelry is something that many of us hold near and dear to our hearts. Protecting this jewelry and making sure you receive top dollar if you sell it are important things to us all. Make sure you use these jewelry tips to approach the topic with the wisdom needed.
Do not purchase any jewelry from retailers in China. This country is notorious for selling fake gemstone and metal jewelry. Oftentimes, the jewelry advertised as sterling silver with real turquoise is just a piece of metal sprayed in silver and the turquoise is a fake piece of plastic. Such vendors may accept returns, but the hassle of shipping it back at your own cost, is usually not worth it. Be aware of scams like this.
When going shopping for diamonds, make sure to set yourself a budget and stick to it. The world of diamonds can seem overwhelming and the prices vary a great deal. By keeping a budget in mind, you can cut down the vast variety, to a much more sensible variety to choose from.
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.
If you would like to buy a pair of earrings for a loved one, make sure they have pierced ears first! It is a major faux pas to pick up a pair of gorgeous baubles only to find out they’re unwearable. If you can, check her jewelry box, or ask someone close to her who might know like her Mother.
Feel comfortable in your jewelry venue of choice. If you feel that the seller may be trying to get you to buy a piece you are not interested in, walk away. Some jewelers are paid on commission, so the more they sell you, the better they are paid. Take this into consideration when choosing a jeweler.
When buying an engagement ring, remember to find out beforehand, what shape stone she wants her diamond to be. Currently, there are nine different shapes or cuts of diamonds to choose from.
Know what to ask your salesperson. Find out if the gemstone you are interested in is natural, synthetic or imitation. Natural gems cost the most because they have a higher cost to attain them. Synthetic gems are man-made and are easier to get, so they are cheaper. Imitations are the cheapest overall, but, of course, they are not be of the best quality.
Make sure you give yourself adequate time when ordering a new jewelry piece. Most pieces have a turn around time of six to eight weeks. This can become a problem quickly if you need the jewelry for an important occasion. Make sure you give yourself extra time on top of the proposed time-frame.
When giving a piece of jewelry to a significant other, you must resist the urge to make the gift extremely extravagant. A piece of jewelry that costs more does not necessarily make it have more meaning. When you have determined a reasonable gift for the occasion, choose a reasonable price for it, and stick with that price.
When it comes to taking care of your jewelry, be sure that you take it off before using any sort of personal care products. This is important because items such as hair gel, hand lotion, and shaving cream can cause damage to your jewelry. This may either be permanent damage, or time consuming temporary disfigurement.
Picking a good quality diamond is important when purchasing diamond jewelry. Ask to see the diamond under a jeweler’s loop or a diamond microscope. You should notice no visible flaws, fractures, cloudiness or black spots. Watch out for chips that are hidden under prongs as well.
If a piece of jewelry starts to darken or turn black, the problem may not be a matter of quality of the piece. This effect can actually be traced to a high acid content in the wearer’s skin. Often, but not always, a high acid content may also indicate a higher probability of an allergic reaction to metal alloys.
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.
A great choice for jewelry is Marcasite. It has all the sparkle of cut stones, but is much cheaper than most other traditional options. It is much more durable than rhinestones and is widely found in costume jewelry and inexpensive pins. It offers a great backdrop that doesn’t outshine more expensive outfits or central stones.
Jewelry that is made with milky, iridescent, and elegant opals, requires a light touch when it comes to cleaning. Do not expose the stones to hot water, steam, or ultrasonic cleaners, as extreme heat can easily damage the surface of the stone. Instead, rings, necklaces, and bracelets that feature opals, should be cleaned with a soft cloth after a brief soak in cool water.
You should always remove all of your jewelry before doing the dishes, bathing, showering, or entering a pool or hot tub. The chemical ingredients found in some body washes, shampoos, and pool cleaning chemicals can damage delicate gems, metals, and settings after prolonged periods of time. This is especially true of white gold.
The tips you have just read in the above article cover a fairly wide range of jewelry-related issues. Make sure you’re absorbing and subsequently applying these tips as needed. Jewelry is something we all want to protect, so pay attention to what you’ve learned about jewelry through this article.
