Good jewelry can make your eyes stand out. Great jewelry can embody your feelings and become a symbol for your relationship to someone. After reading these tips, you will be able to pick amazing jewelry and recognize good prices. You will also have a better idea of what your significant other could enjoy.
Know what you are looking for, when you first get to the store. If you are well-prepared for your visit to the jeweler, you will be less likely to make impulse purchases should the opportunity arise. Have a plan and stick to it, to make sure you stay in budget and on track.
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.
When purchasing jewelry it is important to keep in mind for whom you are buying it, unless it is for yourself. You may really love a certain piece but the person you are buying it for my loathe it. So carefully consider the person it will be for, and then make your decision.
Be sure to get your higher-end jewelry insured. You really never know what could happen and when. You can lose a gem because the prong gets weak or someone can just steal it. By getting it insured, you will have it protected and be able to replace it if something does happen.
To get cheaper rates on your jewelry-making supplies, try to take advantage of discounts and sales. Several chain hobby and craft stores sell basic supplies that you can use when making jewelry (such as thread, pliers, beads, etc), and these frequently can go on sale, sometimes up to 50% off. If you need to purchase items that are not sold in local stores, do research online before settling on a place to purchase from.
If a piece of jewelry starts to darken or turn black, the problem may not be a matter of quality of the piece. This effect can actually be traced to a high acid content in the wearer’s skin. Often, but not always, a high acid content may also indicate a higher probability of an allergic reaction to metal alloys.
If you really want real gold pieces, high gold prices might be one of the only things to worry about. You can have gold pieces at a lower price by buying gold that contains fewer karats. A piece of jewelry that is 75% gold is said to have 18 karats, which is high quality but still affordable; a good combination.
When shopping for expensive jewelry, bring a trusted friend or family member along. It can also be a confusing one, with so many choices available. Bringing a second person along gives you an extra set of eyes, as well as, an important second opinion.
Cabochons are a very popular format for jewelry pieces. The smooth, rounded edges place the focus on the beautiful color and translucence of the stones inside, and are convenient because they do not tend to catch on anything or snag. This makes them particularly well suited to children and teenagers.
Some people have a sensitivity to many metals that precludes them from wearing much metal jewelry. The miracle of modern engineering has developed some hypoallergenic metals such as surgical stainless steel or titanium that are better suited to many of them and allows them to wear chain necklaces, traditional-looking rings, and earrings.
Jewelry is complex, and only jewelers know everything about it. It might not be a bad idea to ask for advice in a jewelry store if these tips are not enough. You know enough to recognize different materials and select something that conveys what you want your gift to say.