No matter why you are buying your jewelry, whether for yourself or as a gift, it is important to know the proper way to care for jewelry as well as buy and sell it responsibly. This article offers advice on all aspects of jewelry ownership.
If you are shopping unmarked sterling silver jewelry, then by all means bring a magnet. You can detect fake sterling silver with the magnet, since non-precious metals are drawn to magnets. You will always find a hallmark stamp such as “.925” or “STER.” on genuine sterling, or alternately, it might simply say, “STERLING”. If there is no hallmark, watch its authenticity since it may be fake.
Synthetic Stones
When purchasing jewels, you should understand which type of stone you are getting. Gemstones come in three different varieties: natural, imitation and synthetic. Imitation is plastic that is colored to looked like the stone, but natural stones and synthetic stones are real. Natural stones are mined, and synthetic stones are created in a laboratory.
Ask about insurance from your jeweler before purchasing a new piece. If your jewelry becomes damaged, you can return it to the source and have it repaired. Some jewelers even offer insurance for jewelry pieces that have been misplaced or stolen.
Preventing tarnish will keep your jewelry look its best. Try to keep your jewelry away from water. Lots of jewelry materials are dulled or tarnished by water exposure. Applying a very thin covering of clear nail varnish to your jewelry offers an added degree of protection.
If you want costume jewelery, you will have to take care of it. While normally is a beautiful investment, a piece of costume jewelry that is in poor condition is not worth buying. Stick to pieces that are in good to excellent condition, as they are the best investments.
You could wear it for a day to make sure it is not uncomfortable. Doing this also tells you how well it stands up to normal daily wear.
Caring for your jewelry properly is important; you should definitely give it some consideration. Depending on the metals and stones used in your jewelry, along with how they are set, you will need different maintenance methods. A technique that is effective for one type of stone or metal may actually cause damage to another. If you can’t find proper treatment methods, try consulting with a professional jeweler.
Look for sales when you want to buy some new jewelry. Jewelry sales can save you a significant amount of cash. Look for great deals in old-fashioned newspapers, on the Internet, and even at retail stores. Buying styles that are going out of fashion can be a huge money saver, even getting up to 50% off.
Make sure that you regularly untangle delicate, knotted necklaces. It is tempting to throw in the towel against knotted metal, but plastic wrap should be reached for instead. Put the chain on the wrap, then pour on a bit of mineral oil or baby oil. Try using needles to start untangling it. Clean with warm, soapy water and gently pat dry.
Wearing jewelry during spa and recreational activities is not recommended. The jewelry can be damaged from extreme heat or moisture.
Comparison shopping is vital to the diamond-buying process. Every diamond is unique and possesses particular flaws. Once you get to see the flaw up close, you may find that it doesn’t matter to you. You can also use the flaws as a point for discussing a discount. You can make the most of your investment if you take the time to comparison shop and hunt down the best diamond that falls within your price range.
Keep your jewelry in place with a strong clasp or closure. If your chains and pendants with costly gems do not have secure clasps, you may lose them. A safety clasp should always be used on expensive jewelry. For very expensive items, some consumers choose to increase security with an additional clasp or two.
If you care for your jewelry well, it will be worth a fortune, in both in the sentimental and economic senses. With proper knowledge on how to care for your jewelry, you can keep your memories safe and the value of the jewelry high. Information is available online to help you learn the proper techniques for taking care of your jewelry.