Whatever your jewelry situation is, the jewelry world can get confusing. Where can you find information that you know you can trust? This article has some helpful tips to help you become a better educated consumer.
Do not use any chemicals on your jewelery stones. This can cause your stones to turn and dull in color, along with eating away any enamel on the pieces.
Sterling Silver
When shopping for genuine sterling silver jewelry, you need both a discerning eye and a small magnet. Metals that aren’t precious will connect to the magnet, signaling that it is fake. Sterling silver should always bear a stamp that says Sterling, Ster. or .925. If a particular piece is not stamped, you should be cautious of its authenticity.
Take note of whether they wear hoop earrings or studs, yellow gold or white gold, an ankle bracelet, etc. This will help you get started in your search for the perfect item of jewelry for your loved one.
Ask the jeweler what type of insurance is available for your purchase. If you can get insurance, you know that you will be covered if something happens to your jewelry. There are even some jewelers that will cover the replacement if the piece has been lost or stolen.
Costume Jewelry
Costume jewelry does require some special care. Costume jewelry is generally bound by glue rather than settings and is therefore, a lot more fragile. Keep your costume jewelery away from water or chemicals. The best way to care for your jewelry is to use one damp cloth to wipe it followed by a dry one to dry it. This will keep your costume jewelry clean and shiny.
A brooch will add an interesting aspect to the belt. Pin the brooch on your belt in the center, or offset to one side.
Before you buy a gemstone, it is important that you learn about the treatment process it underwent. The kind of care your stone needs is dependent on what it was treated with. Applying the wrong chemical when cleaning a gemstone can cause the protective treatment to dissolve, and damage the appearance of the gem.
Try searching for sales when purchasing jewelry. Finding a store offering extreme markdowns is a way to realize tremendous savings. Check online, in the store windows, and in the paper for the greatest sales. Consider buying something that is out of style to get a better deal.
To state it again, there is a lot of information available on the topic of jewelry. With careful and helpful research, you will know you are buying quality jewelry and handling them the right way. Buying and selling jewelry is fun and exciting! These tips should be a useful first step on your journey.