If you are shopping for a very costly piece of jewelry, and want to make a worthwhile investment, it can be kind of stressful, but you can make it fun. There are dozens of types of materials that are used to make different pieces of jewelry, and they each come with a different price tag. An uneducated customer might pay too much. This article will show you how to make your jewelry purchases wisely.
Avoid using harmful substances like bleach, ammonia, acetone, turpentine and the like to clean them. These chemicals can wreak havoc on your jewelry, from discoloring bands, to dulling stones, to eroding enamel or glue.
Be sure that you store all of your jewelry safely away from air and humidity. Keep them stored safely in a closed, dark area, like a jewelry box or drawstring bag. Air and humidity will make the metals in jewelry tarnish. It is possible to polish precious metals, but polishing non-precious metals will damage the coating, which makes the copper that metal was covering show.
Sterling Silver
Bring a magnet when shopping for sterling silver jewelery. Magnets attract non-precious metals, and you can use this fact to detect fakes. You can recognize sterling silver by stamps that say ‘.925’ or ‘ster’. If a particular piece is not stamped, you should be cautious of its authenticity.
Do some research on the gem in your new piece of jewelry before you buy. You have three options as far as the type of gem: natural, imitation and synthetic. Imitation gems are made out of glass or plastic; natural and synthetic gems both consist of real gemstone. Natural gems are those that are actually from the earth, whereas synthetic ones are made in labs.
Have shopping companions when you shop for diamonds. Look at the pieces up close before purchasing them, and be sure to compare them to others. Be aware that some dealers will use cheap tactics to make a diamond look better than it is.
Prevent your jewelry from tarnishing so that it keeps looking great. Don’t wear jewelry near water. Water can cause some metals to lose their luster or to become tarnished or rusty. You can give your jewelry an additional layer of protection by applying a thin coat of clear nail polish to it.
Costume Jewelry
Special care is required for costume jewelry. Many pieces of costume jewelry have the stones glued on, for example. Avoid using harsh chemicals on these pieces, and do not immerse them. To properly care for it you need to use a cloth dampened with warm water. After wiping make sure to use another cloth to thoroughly dry it. Done regularly, this process will keep your costume jewelry looking great.
If your “giftee” is a unique person, try finding a special piece that is crafted specifically for them. An item that highlights their personality indicates that you put time and effort into the purchase, which is what you should convey when giving jewelry to someone.
Determine whether or not your stone received a treatment, and what kind, prior to purchasing it. The various treatments that gems are given means that they need to be cared for differently. For example, improper cleaning with the wrong method may damage the stone by stripping the treatment.
Take your jewelry off before you go swimming. The chlorine in swimming pools can ruin a piece of jewelry. In the same way, salt water can have the same effects to jewelry over time. Removing pieces before heading into the water will extend their life and protect their beauty.
When you set out to buy jewelry, buy a piece because you love it, not because of who makes it. 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’ll be able to find high-quality jewelry from any number of brands.
Gold Necklaces
It is possible to make money while keeping your pieces when it comes to jewelry like bracelets and gold necklaces. A few inches clipped off the end of the chain can be valuable, but still leaves you with a usable piece. With real gold necklaces and bracelets, you can pull in hundreds by just clipping off parts that no one notices anyway.
It can be hard to tell the difference between natural and lab grown sapphires and rubies. The ones grown in a lab are exactly the same and cost way less. A jeweler can fraudulently claim a sapphire is natural, but you won’t know for sure unless you have it examined by a gemologist.
Have a budget, and stick to it when purchasing jewelry. No piece of jewelry is worth going into debt over. If you are young and money is an issue, select a less expensive ring to start with. Then, later in life, when they are more financially secure, they can splurge on a fancy ring.
To keep the setting strong, use a cloth that is slightly damp to safely clean the piece. Afterwards, dry the whole piece with a soft cloth. Avoid exposing your jewelery to chemicals, water or steam cleaners.
Necklaces that you received when you were younger can be mixed with modern pieces, for a look that isn’t dated. If you are wearing a bunch of necklaces, try layering a simple pendant, like a heart or cross, with more complex pieces that are made of similar materials or similar in color.
Utilize the advice in this article so you can make the right choice next time you buy jewelry. Not only are you going to save yourself some time, but you also are going to save quite a few dollars by following the tips and tricks in this article.
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