Education Is Essential When It Comes To Buying Great Jewelry

There is no such thing as being too informed about jewelry. You could lose a lot of money through easily-avoided mistakes, if you don’t cultivate at least a little bit of jewelry know-how. Here are several very practical pieces of advice on the topic. These tips can help you select and maintain jewelry pieces, while avoiding some of the common pitfalls.

If you are looking to purchase sterling silver jewelry make sure that you have a magnet with you and a good eye. You can tell if a piece of silver is sterling or not by using a magnet. Sterling will not react to the magnet, but non-precious metals will be attracted. You can recognize sterling silver by stamps that say ‘.925’ or ‘ster’. If you cannot find a stamp, you might be looking at a cheap imitation.

Knowing what type of jewel you are buying when you purchase jewelry is very important. There are three different types: natural, synthetic and imitation. Natural gems and synthetic gems are real gemstones, whereas imitation is just an item of plastic with gemstone colors. Natural stones are dug up out of the ground and synthetic ones are grown in a lab.

Compare lots of diamonds before you settle on one to buy. Find a few reference pieces that you like, and see if other diamonds can do better. With diamonds, you need to have a keen eye because of the many tricks people will use to enhance it.

Notice what type of earrings they are wearing, including the shape and metal. These types of observations will provide a starting point to purchase an item they’ll cherish.

Keep your jewelry free of tarnish to make it look its best. Never wear your jewelry when you are going to be near water. Lots of jewelry materials are dulled or tarnished by water exposure. For added protection for your jewelry, try adding a thin coating of clear nail polish.

Test it out by wearing it yourself; you don’t want to give a piece that will be uncomfortable or awkward for the recipient. It will also allow you to see if the item is durable enough.

Think about what stones you would want before you purchase a new piece of jewelry. Try to select stones that are an extension of your individuality and that enhance the tone of your skin. Neutral colored stones will work well with any outfit in your closet. It’s a waste of time buying something that you won’t wear regularly.

Caring for your jewelry properly is important; you should definitely give it some consideration. Every metal, setting, and stone has different requirements when it comes to care. A technique that is effective for one type of stone or metal may actually cause damage to another. Consult with a jeweler if you are unsure exactly how to care for your own jewels.

For a gift that is as unique as its recipient, look for handcrafted or customized pieces. Giving a gift that requires thought and creativity will make it even more special.

Makeup isn’t for jewelry. Let your makeup dry before you put on a piece of jewelry. The small particles of powdered makeup can easily dull the shine of your jewelry. Especially keep this tip in mind for necklaces or earrings.

This applies to dry and steam-filled saunas. This is because the extreme heat and moisture can cause serious problems to the piece.

The prices for diamonds vary greatly so shop around before making a purchase. No diamond is the same and each has subtle imperfections. Once you see some of the flaws in person, they may become less important. 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.

Buying jewelry sets can be less expensive than purchasing separate pieces of the same value. The larger jewelry stores will often give discounts on an entire set of jewelry. You do not have to give your loved one the entire set at once. You can present him or her with one piece as each occasion comes around. By doing this, you’ll always have a gift ready and you know they’ll like it.

Well, it’s easy when you know how. This article has just touched on a few of things that you should know about this very rewarding hobby. There is much to learn, but at least you’ve now got a few good ideas to put to work.