Choosing jewelry can be difficult – even overwhelming. There is so much choice and so much you need to know; especially if you have never purchased much. The following tips will help you learn some useful things that you need to know about jewelry. When you know what things to look for it makes it more enjoyable.
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.
Don’t spend a lot of money purchasing cheap costume jewelry. Costume jewelry does sell in more designs and cost significantly less than fine jewelry. Yet, over the course of a few months or years, costume jewelry loses its color which causes the cheap metal to show through underneath. Invest in one or two pieces of fine jewelry that are sure to last a lifetime.
Designer jewelry can be pricey and not affordable to someone on a budget. Luckily, there are quality replicas available, and for a price almost anyone can afford. These replicas resemble the real jewelry but without the huge hit to the wallet. You can have the luxury of wearing it whenever you’d like, instead of just on special occasions. They are truly a fashionable, affordable, alternative to designer name jewelry.
Do not use ultrasonic cleaners and jewelry cleaning liquids on your precious and semi- precious gemstones. Most gemstones are easily damaged and their properties become corroded by the chemical properties in jewelry cleaning liquids. Ultrasonic cleaners can shake the gemstone settings apart and deteriorate the glue used to secure the gemstone in the setting.
If you are considering a titanium wedding band, remember that it cannot be re-sized and may be a bit more difficult to cut off in an emergency than rings made from precious metals. Titanium rings are less likely to bend or crush under pressure, however, so an accident that would heavily damage a gold or platinum ring may not harm a titanium one.
Buy brightly colored jewelry to pair with the same black clothing. The same little black dress can seem like a completely new and exciting outfit simply by adding different accessories. Brightly colored jewelry will stand out against a dark color as well as giving you a dynamic look.
Soak diamonds for twenty minutes in a solution made of four parts water and one part ammonia for a sparkling shine. Scrub them with a soft dampened toothbrush allows cleaning of hard to reach places, such as under the gem or around the prongs. Dry it with a soft cloth to keep it shining and looking new.
If you’d like to show off your hairstyle, try wearing jewelry that compliments your hair’s color. Green or aqua stones set off red hair beautifully, while jewel tones brighten darker locks. If you have fair hair, a clear sparkling stone like a diamond can make it shine, while a dark stone adds great visual contrast.
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.
The tips that have been provided should boost your self-confidence when it comes to jewelry buying and care. You now know what things to look for concerning jewelry, and having the knowledge should also give you the ability to talk to any jeweler with confidence.