If you are looking for a great deal on a new or pre-owned ring, necklace, or bracelet, the advice in this article can provide you with practical advice on the best way to shop for jewelry. The information in these tips and tricks will make finding the perfect piece a painless and simple process.
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.
Use a gentle dish soap to clean your jewelry. The soap you buy for your kitchen can be great for jewelry too. Just make sure you buy a gentle dish soap. Look for one that is suitable for use on your hands. That way, you can be sure it won’t damage the jewelry.
Store your jewelry in felt. It is always annoying when a piece of your favorite jewelry starts to tarnish. To keep it from tarnishing, just make sure you store it properly. Use a felt bag or even a jewelry box lined with felt. It will help to keep the jewelry from tarnishing.
Jewelry consignment stores are a great place to sell your jewelry. Consignment stores will sell your jewelry for whatever you think is a fair price, and they take a certain percentage of the sales when the item sells. They will usually display it for about 3 months and then you have the option of either picking it up or selling it to the store. Occasionally the store will keep it on display for longer if you ask.
When choosing earrings, test the weight in the store. You can’t–and shouldn’t–try them on, but holding them in your hand may be able to tell you if they’re too heavy for all-day wear or just too heavy. Heavy earrings will eventually become painful. No matter how nice they look, you won’t want to wear them if they’re not comfortable.
Never, EVER buy fake jewelry for someone you love! That means gold-plated, cubic zirconia, or gold-filled. Stick to the real stuff – you can get a bargain on real gold, silver, or even platinum if you look hard enough. Fake jewelry can turn the skin black or green, and that is the LAST thing you want to do!
If you’re new to making wire jewelry, practice with copper wire or craft wire before moving on to sterling silver. There is a learning curve when it comes to making wire jewelry, and it’s likely you will have to try a few times before getting it right. Sterling silver is expensive and starting with that material is not very cost effective.
Remove your jewelry when you are going to be using beauty products. Lotions, perfumes, hair sprays, and shaving creams will hurt your jewelry. It may just make your jewelry dirty, but it could also damage your jewels. If you forget once in a while, that should be okay. Don’t make a habit of it.
Know your options when shopping for diamonds. No diamond is the same and each has subtle imperfections. If you can personally view a flaw, it may become less significant in your eyes. Jewelers can price their diamonds differently according to the flaws in the diamonds. While shopping, first determine your budget and then locate the best diamond you can find that fits in that price range.
Now that you have learned some of the basics of shopping for costume, wedding, and designer jewelry, you will be better prepared to make a wise decision to invest in a piece that can last a lifetime. Remember these tips as you narrow down your choices to a single, must-have piece of jewelry.