There is a lot of time and information that goes into buying and selling jewelry. You need to know what kind of jewelry you want, or what price you should ask for a piece you are attempting to sell. Sometimes you may be lost about where to begin.
Don’t use things that contain harsh chemicals like bleach, ammonia, acetone or turpentine, to clean your jewelry. This could cause the stone to change color or become dull in appearance, and it may eat away at the enamel on the piece.
Sterling Silver
If you want to buy sterling silver pieces, use a magnet and examine the jewelry very carefully. You are able to detect fake pieces of sterling jewelry with a magnet, as non-precious metals are attracted by the magnet. Another way to tell if a metal is sterling silver is to check for a hallmark stamp, for example .sterling, .ster, or .925. If the piece that you are looking at is not hallmarked, this is usually the sign that it is a fake.
Identify the kind of stone in every piece you consider. Natural gems and imitation gems have been joined recently by synthetic gems, making three main categories. You have to know that imitation refers to colored plastic. Natural gems are those that are actually from the earth, whereas synthetic ones are made in labs.
To help maintain its appearance, take good care of it to keep it from getting tarnished. Exposure to water can affect the finish, so avoid it. Metals will often tarnish or rust when in contact with water. A very light coating of clear nail varnish can be applied to some jewelry, and this will add an additional line of protection against the elements.
You should ensure the quality of the pieces of costume jewelry that you purchase for your collection. 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. Maintaining a piece of costume jewelry’s condition preserves the beauty and value that attracted you in the first place.
Consider the stones whenever you buy jewelry. Try to choose a stone that meshes well with your taste or personality. Also, consider what looks good on you. Pieces in neutral tones work well with any item in your wardrobe. Taking these things into account will give you a piece of jewelry you can wear many times and in diverse situations.
Take careful consideration when thinking of how you want to care for the jewelry you purchase. Depending on the metals and stones used in your jewelry, along with how they are set, you will need different maintenance methods. Not all jewelry should be cared for in the same way. If you can’t find proper treatment methods, try consulting with a professional jeweler.
Costume Jewelry
Take good care of your costume jewelry. Stones in costume jewelry are usually held in place with glue instead of a physical setting. Keep your costume jewelery away from water or chemicals. The best way to maintain your costume jewelry is to use a moist, warm cloth first, then dry it off with another cloth. This will keep any costume jewelry that you have looking great.
For a special and personalized gift, have a jewelry piece custom made for your recipient. This means you have taken the time to think about the gift and make it as personal as possible. Customized jewelery will also help you convey the right message.
To preserve the pristine look of your jewelry, apply your make-up first, wait for it to set, then put on your jewelry. Dust from your makeup can end up on your jewelry, and this can make it look dull. Doing this is particularly important when you are wearing a necklace or earrings, as they will brush against your makeup more than other jewelry.
Before you purchase a new piece of jewelry, consider what situations you will be wearing it in. A big supply of jewelry that you never wear is of little use to you. Think about the style of clothing you will be wearing when choosing a piece of jewelry.
It is crucial that all bracelets and necklaces have good clasps. Unless your necklace or bracelet has a durable closure, you risk losing expensive or sentimental pendants, stones and charms. You can get a safety clasp to keep costly necklaces and bracelets from falling off and becoming lost. You might even want to add an extra clasp on your jewelery for added protection.
For attractive and tangle-free necklace storage, you can use nice-looking robe hooks. You can hang your necklaces in a row and separate them by color and length. Not only does this keep necklaces from tangling up into knots in your jewelry box, but it makes an attractive accent to your decor.
You have seen that the process of buying and selling jewelry will take some effort, work and research so that you will be able to buy the items that you are looking for, or sell your jewelry for a profit. Keeping the aforementioned tips in mind, you are well on your way to being successful with them.