Learning about jewelry definitely takes some time. It is one of those things that you really have to study to see what works with your skin tone and wardrobe choices. You also want to make sure you don’t end up spending too much on jewelry that really isn’t worth it. Here’s some tips to help.
Make sure to keep regular tabs on the state of your jewelry. You need to constantly assess the condition of your pieces to catch any issues or damage early. It is best to catch them early because this is when you should get them fixed to avoid major or irreversible damage, or even losing the item.
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.
Essential to anyone buying jewelry for reclamation purposes is a pocket-sized gram and carat scale. While a scale can’t determine the purity of the gold and silver you encounter in your jewelry hunting, a pocket scale can at least give you a basic starting point to determine fair pricing and valuing of your jewelry finds.
When you’re choosing a piece of jewelry to wear, think about what you like on other people, and what they like on you. Think about particular pieces that you’ve received compliments on, especially from strangers. It also helps to think about what you’ve complimented on others. If you find yourself telling others how much you like certain pieces, remember what those are when you’re out shopping for jewelry for yourself.
If you purchase any diamond over one carat, you need to get proof. Any diamond included in jewelry that is over one carat should come with a diamond grading report. This should be done by an independent gem grader and the report should include any information that could potentially affect its value.
To help you clean and maintain your jewelry in top condition, remember to polish your gold and silver with a jewelry polishing cloth. Alternatives, such as a regular cloth or paper towel, have the potential to damage your gold or silver because they are not gentle enough for these delicate precious metals.
One of the biggest dangers to jewelry is loss. When you are not careful with the pieces of fine jewelry that you have, it can be quite easy to lose it. By paying attention, especially to very small pieces and stones you will ensure that you have your jewelry throughout your life.
If you have gold jewelry, it is important that you do not use harsh chemicals when you try to clean them. Harsh chemicals can make your gold jewelry dull and cause it to lose its natural luster. You should clean your gold jewelry with mild cleansers and warm water.
Store your jewelry in the same way you wear it. This means hanging necklaces and earrings, and storing rings on padded sticks. Not only does this protect your jewelry from becoming tangled, knotted, or damaged, it also allows you to easily see what jewelry you have and what matches well together.
If your grandmother or someone else is passing down antique jewelry to you, refrain from having it cleaned. For antiques, it’s actually that old varnish, “the patina”, that makes the piece worth a lot of money. An old clean piece of jewelry is essentially worth whatever the market puts the jewels and metal at.
Dress up your outfit with inexpensive cocktail rings! You can pick these up at garage sales, flea markets and discount stores for a fraction of the price of gold and silver jewelry. Rhinestones and faux pearls look just as striking, and you do not have to worry about losing or damaging an expensive piece of jewelry!
Cabochons are a very popular format for jewelry pieces. The smooth, rounded edges place the focus on the beautiful color and translucence of the stones inside, and are convenient because they do not tend to catch on anything or snag. This makes them particularly well suited to children and teenagers.
Matching your jewelry to your personal style helps you maintain a unique, yet tasteful look. There are a lot of jewelry makers on the market that are making unique and progressive designs. These pieces range in price making them affordable for every budget. Take the time to shop around for pieces that appeal to you in style and price.
Make sure that you remove your jewelry when doing things that could damage it, such as cleaning the house, swimming in a pool or hot tub, even just putting on lotion. Normal cleaners and harsh chemicals can do damage to the finish of your precious metals and loosen the stones.
After cleaning your fine rings, bracelets, and necklaces with a mild jewelry cleaner, be especially diligent about thoroughly drying each piece before storing in its box or case. Excess water can leave dark, tarnish spots on both gold and silver. Residual water stains are especially difficult to remove and detract from the value of your jewelry.
Before you buy any jewelry, read tips like these so you can get a real feel for what you should be looking for and what things you should keep in mind. Building a jewelry collection is fun and the results are something that you can pass down for generations.
