Whether your purchase jewelry for friends, inherit valuable pieces or receive jewelry as a gift, it is important that you are aware of the best buying, selling and cleaning jewelry practices. You can make sure that the time and money you devote to your jewelry does not go to waste by reading this article’s tips.
Avoid using harmful substances like bleach, ammonia, acetone, turpentine and the like to clean them. This could cause the stone to change color or become dull in appearance, and it may eat away at the enamel on the piece.
Jewelry should be a purchase that truly lasts a lifetime. Choose reputable jewelry dealers when considering your next jewelry purchase. Any piece that is high quality will have its craftsmanship and quality shining through. Ask the jeweler about the history behind the piece and learn more about who made it, as well as the origin of the materials. A quality item of jewelry will last a lifetime or more, so take the time to do your research.
Know what is trendy before you buy a piece of jewelry. Getting a nice piece of jewelry is good, but getting it at a discount is even better.
Costume Jewelry
Make careful note of the condition of costume jewelry you wish to collect. Costume jewelry make good investments and they can be costly, but an item that shows major signs of usage will be a poor investment of your time and money. A piece that is in excellent condition will increase in value.
Wear the jewelry piece for a day so that you can get an idea of how comfortable it is and if it hangs right. Doing this also helps you see if the jewelery is long lasting or likely to break easily.
The color gemstones are an important consideration when shopping for new jewelry. Pick out stones that will reflect your personality and complement your skin tone. Choosing neutral colors can help them match anything you wear. Do not buy something that looks nice on the shelf but that you will never use.
Take good care of your costume jewelry. Many of the components of costume jewelry are glued into their settings rather than held in with prongs or other more permanent methods. Never immerse your costume jewelry or use harsh chemicals on it. Use a damp cloth, then dry it with another clean, dry cloth. This helps keep costume jewelry looking sparkling clean and new.
If you are presenting a gift to someone who has their own unusual style, look for an item of jewelry that is in line with their clothing and lifestyle choices. Besides affection and admiration, an ideal jewelry gift expresses creativity and thoughtfulness. A custom-made piece selected to suit the recipient’s personality is an excellent way for you to demonstrate these feelings.
One way to ensure that your jewelry stays clean is to put it only after you have applied your make-up and it has had time to set. Any kind of spare dust or oil will attach itself to your jewelry, so putting it on before makeup will just make it look a little dirty. Especially keep this tip in mind for necklaces or earrings.
Know what you want to do with jewelry prior to purchasing it. There is no point continually buying jewelry if you never wear it. Take a look in your closet and consider what outfits your jewelry will accessorize.
If you’re selling jewelry on the Internet, make sure your depiction of the piece is detailed, clear and eye-catching. Visuals are particularly important because customers cannot physically see or touch jewelery when they buy online. Take photos that clearly focus on the jewelry, without a distracting background.
The diamond cut and clarity can make the stone more appealing than the size. It’s also important to consider the personality of whomever is to receive the diamond.
An important part of your necklace or bracelet is having a quality clasp. Without a decent clasp, you risk losing your expensive stones or chains. Anytime you buy an expensive bracelet or necklace it is recommended you request a safety clasp. You could even have more than one clasp installed on your most prized items.
Do not swim while wearing jewelry. Chlorine is a very strong and harsh chemical that can damage and dull your precious pieces. Salt water is just as bad as chlorinated water. To safeguard your valuable jewelry, set it aside in a safe place before you go in for a swim.
Buying jewelry just because it is a name brand is not a good idea. Not many people will be familiar with the brand, and if you allowed yourself to be persuaded by the jeweler to buy that brand, you more than likely paid far too much for the piece. You can find excellent quality from many different brands.
Of course, higher gold prices also increases the cost for new gold jewelry. You can save a bit of money on a gold piece by getting lower karats. Many people think of 18 karats as the best compromise between quality and affordability, as a piece with this content is at least 75% pure gold.
If jewelry is handled properly, it can be worth a great deal, both in monetary value and in the emotions that are tied up in it. Protecting your jewelry investment can be as simple as learning proper care methods. There is much more information available, too; if you continue educating yourself you will learn how to get even more from your jewelry.