Jewelry is not only beautiful but a wise investment. When buying jewelry there are many things you must consider to ensure you are getting the right piece, as well as the best quality and value. The following tips can help you to make wise choices when it comes to the purchase and care of jewelry.
Pewter jewelry has been widely popular for decades. If you’re looking to invest in jewelry pieces made from pewter, make sure that they are lead free. For a long time, pewter jewelry has contained lead causing many unhealthy side effects to the wearer. Usually modern jewelry made from this metal is advertised as lead-free if it doesn’t contain any.
A magnet is a useful tool when shopping for jewelry in sterling silver. Use the magnet to detect fake jewelry; real silver will not be attracted to the magnet, but the cheaper metals will. You can generally tell genuine sterling silver by its stamp, which will look something like ‘.925 ster.’ If the piece is not hallmarked in any way, be leery of its authenticity because oftentimes it is a sign of a fake.
Going through a day wearing the jewelry will let you get familiar with how it hangs and whether or not it will be comfortable. Doing this also tells you how well it stands up to normal daily wear.
In order to save money on the purchase of jewelry you should consider looking at local antique shops. Many people sell their antique jewelry to the shops when they are in need of money or if they have inherited it and just don’t want it. There is no reason to pay the high markups that come with jewelry.
To make sure your jewelry always looks appropriate, consider the occasion before choosing pieces. If you’re at work, it’s best to avoid chokers and hoop earrings. Pearls are very versatile, but aren’t ideal for a very casual environment. Wearing jewelry ideal for the occasion will keep you from looking out of place.
Avoid letting your jewelry come into contact with chemicals, such as those found in hairspray, lotion, perfume and other products. Some chemicals can stain or otherwise damage precious metals and stones. Porous stones like pearls, opal or turquoise should not be submersed in water for long, either, to prevent damage.
Make sure you store your pearl jewelry in breathable bags, away from other jewelry that may scratch your pearl jewelry. Pearls can easily become flawed so it is important that you keep it away from jewelry that may scratch their surface. You should never keep your pearls in a zip-lock bag.
If you are purchasing a gem, do not be tempted to get imitation jewelry. This is little more than plastic, and there are many affordable options that you can choose instead. Consider buying a synthetic piece of jewelry; although these are produced in a lab, they are real gems, and they are as beautiful as anything found in nature.
If you wear fashion jewelry you have to keep in mind that it cannot be cleaned the same as regular jewelry. You should wipe it with a damp cloth and then dry it. Soaking it in water can lead to damage since most fashion jewelry is made with jeweler’s cement.
In the end, a jewelry purchase is a matter of personal style combined with an adherence to sensible advice. You can put the facts in this article to good use and still find (and maintain) a piece that fits in with your taste. Hopefully whatever you buy will also turn out to be a good investment.