Because jewelry is personal, it’s prized as a token of love, pride and accomplishment. No matter the price or size, your jewelry gift will be well received and treasured for many years to come. Read this article to consolidate your knowledge of jewelry and be able to select tasteful items.
When shopping for genuine sterling silver jewelry, you need both a discerning eye and a small magnet. If the piece you are examining is not silver and is made from non-precious metal, it will be attracted to the magnet. Look for the hallmark stamped on the piece of jewelry to determine what percentage sterling silver it is. If you don’t see such a mark, you might want to reconsider the purchase. This is usually an indication that the piece is fake.
Be sure that you understand the kind of gemstone that is in the jewelry that you are purchasing. There are three different types: natural, synthetic and imitation. Imitation has little value, as it is generally plastic, while synthetic and natural are considered to be real gems. Natural gems are those that are actually from the earth, whereas synthetic ones are made in labs.
When you’re considering a diamond purchase, plan on shopping around and making comparisons. Get up close to inspect the diamond carefully. Make a comparison with other pieces you have looked at. Look out for tricks that make the diamond look better than it is.
Before you buy a new piece of jewelry, research the latest trends. The only thing better than picking up a gorgeous bauble is getting it on sale!
Try on a few different stones when you are shopping for jewelry. Choose a stone that goes well with your skin tone or the kind of clothes you wear and reflects your personality. If you choose a neutral color it will match anything you wear. A piece that is hard to wear is not as useful as one that goes with everything.
You need to learn the best ways to take care of your jewelry. Jewelry is composed of different stones, metals, and settings that all require different care to be properly maintained. A treatment that polishes one stone may scratch another stone. Speak with a knowlegeable jeweler if you do not know the best way to take care of your jewels.
Costume jewelry has different, specific care requirements. Many of the costume type settings are glued-in, rather than set-in. Keep your costume jewelery away from water or chemicals. The best way to clean these pieces are to wipe them clean with a damp cloth and dry immediately with another cloth. This keeps costume jewelry looking its best.
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. Makeup will settle into your jewelry making it look dull and dingy. This is particularly important in the case of necklaces and earrings.
If your gemstone was treated, you should know about it before you purchase it. You will need to know what type of care it might require as a result of the treatment. You want to avoid unknowingly cleaning the gem with a chemical or solution that could strip off the protective treatment.
When selling jewelry on the Internet, make the extra effort to present it in the best light possible. Handling jewelry often helps the customer make up his mind but this is not possible with online transactions. Take your jewelry photographs in a manner that focuses only on the piece, not anything in the background, and keep the background very plain.
The cut, color and clarity of a diamond can make a bigger impression than size alone. You must think of the person who will be wearing the jewelry.
Dry saunas and steam rooms can cause damage to jewelry. Many pieces can be seriously damaged by extreme temperatures and moisture levels.
A good quality clap is very important to any necklace or bracelet. If your jewelry items have unreliable clasps, your gemstones are in constant jeopardy. For especially valuable necklaces and bracelets, adding a safety clasp to the piece is a good way to safeguard them. An additional clasp — or clasps — can be added to particularly priceless items to keep them extra safe.
To conveniently hang your necklaces, try using robe hooks. Organize these hooks in a row and use them to keep your necklaces free-hanging and untangled. You can group them by style, length or other criteria. If done right, this will have a nice appearance and prevent the jewelry box tangles necklaces are prone to.
If you choose a big, elaborately detailed piece of jewelry, pair it with simple clothing. Allow it to stand out on its own against the backdrop of a dark, patternless dress or blouse.
It can be hard to tell natural rubies and sapphires from artificial ones. The chemical and physical composition of natural and artificial stones can be identical, but the man-made ones are manufactured for a small percentage of the price of a natural flawless gem. Find a reputable, knowledgeable person to take a look at a stone prior to purchasing it.
Have a budget, and stick to it when purchasing jewelry. Getting yourself in a lot of debt just so you can own an incredible ring is a terrible financial decision. Usually younger couples would like to start out with a less expensive ring at first. Then, you can always upgrade at a later time when your finances are much better.
Jewelry is a great gift item for nearly every occasion. Even a small piece of jewelery can mean so much! There are also a lot of important methods for keeping your jewelry sparkling. Apply everything you have learned in the article to improve the satisfaction you have in jewelry.