No matter why you are buying your jewelry, whether for yourself or as a gift, it is important to know the proper way to care for jewelry as well as buy and sell it responsibly. This article will provide you with some nifty tricks and tips for getting the maximum benefit out of any time or money you invest in jewelry.
Use a soft cloth on your jewelry as often as you want. These cloths can replace the need for chemicals or solvents during the process. All you do is polish it like you would a glass with the two-sided cloth. Use the side that is designated for polish, and the other to make it shine.
Don’t use acetone, bleach, ammonia or turpentine to clean copper. Doing so can destroy enamel finishes, while clouding stones and crystals.
Sterling Silver
When you go shopping for sterling silver jewelry pieces, take with you a magnet and a monocle. By using the magnet you can quickly determine if the jewelry item is made of a cheaper metal and not sterling silver. You will always find a hallmark stamp such as “.925” or “STER.” on genuine sterling, or alternately, it might simply say, “STERLING”. If the item has no markings indicating its authenticity, then be wary.
Take note of whether they wear hoop earrings or studs, yellow gold or white gold, an ankle bracelet, etc. This will help you get started in your search for the perfect item of jewelry for your loved one.
Before buying a new item of jewelry, do a little research on recent trends. The only thing better than picking up a gorgeous bauble is getting it on sale!
Ask about insurance from your jeweler before purchasing a new piece. This is to avoid any future complications. If anything were to happen you have yourself covered and to avoid complications with that jeweler in the future, they can replace or fix it for you if you run into problems. Sometimes you can even get replacement coverage for loss or theft.
To help maintain its appearance, take good care of it to keep it from getting tarnished. Keep your jewelry away from water. Water exposure can cause different metals to become tarnished, dull or rusted. A single coat of transparent nail polish may help protect certain types of metal.
The stone is an important part of a piece of jewelry so should be considered carefully. Think about your skin tone, and also think about your personality as you choose your favorite stones. Your best bet is to choose a natural color to match any outfit. Do not buy something if it does not work for you.
Know how to keep your jewelry beautiful. The variety of stones, metals and assorted settings will determine the ways in which you care for them. A treatment that polishes one stone may scratch another stone. If you can’t find information about caring for a specific piece of jewelry, consult a trusted jeweler.
Try searching for sales when purchasing jewelry. The right sale will save you a lot of cash. Scope out the sales in every store you can find. If a particular piece was designed to fit a current trend, and that trend is nearing conclusion, then you could make a saving as big as 50%.
Be careful when untangling your delicate necklaces. Don’t be tempted to give up on the tangled metal. It’s plastic wrap to the rescue. Put the necklace onto a wrap, and place mineral or baby oil on it. It is possible to untangle very snarled necklaces with a needle. Clean with warm, soapy water and gently pat dry.
When photographing a jewelry piece to sell online, aim to present it attractively, in a well-lit, close-up and clear photograph. This is extra important because the customer can not handle jewelry with an online transaction. Ensure the focus of your pictures is the piece itself.
Look at a lot of different pieces before settling on a diamond jewelry purchase. No two diamonds are exactly the same, each will have different flaws. Once you see the diamond up close and look it over, some of the flaws may not be as critical as you once thought. Every jeweler is able to price point differently, depending on the flaw. It will pay to shop different jewelers while looking for the best diamond in your price range.
Expensive Pieces
A strong clasp is essential to any necklace or bracelet. Weak clasps put your expensive pieces of jewelry at risk of loss. You can purchase a safety clasp to secure expensive pieces of jewelry. For very expensive items, some consumers choose to increase security with an additional clasp or two.
Take your jewelry off before you go swimming. The chlorine in swimming pools can ruin a piece of jewelry. Salt water is just as bad as chlorinated water. Your jewelry will last longer and stay more lustrous if you remember to take it off before getting into the water.
Don’t buy a piece of jewelry based solely on the brand. Almost no one will be able to identify the maker of your jewelry. Don’t be persuaded to pay more for a piece of jewelry simply because of its brand name. You can find fabulous quality from various brands.
Long chains can be shortened and the excess metal can be sold for a profit. All it takes is clipping off any excess material, usually only a few inches. You will still keep your piece intact so you can wear it. With real gold and several chains, you could shorten the pieces to get hundreds of dollars.
Jewelry that is taken care of is extremely valuable both in monetary worth and sentimental value. If you know how to properly care for your jewelery, you will be taking care of memories you will have for many years. There is more to it than what you’ve read here, and continuing to learn can help you mazimize the wear and value of all your jewelry pieces for years to come.
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