Shopping for jewelry can be a difficult task if you aren’t sure what you are looking for. If you are buying for yourself, you may know what you like, but you can’t choose. For someone else, you may need ideas on what to get. Read this article for tips on shopping for jewelry.
Many people see jewelry labeled as sterling silver plated and oftentimes think they’ve hit the jackpot when they purchase it at a very low price. In this case unfortunately, you do get what you pay for. This type of jewelry only contains a very thin coating of sterling silver on top of a cheap metal which can usually be identified as copper. The jewelry will eventually tarnish and cause the copper to show through underneath with enough wear.
If you see a ring that claims to be diamond and has a sterling silver setting, be very wary. Diamonds are only professionally set in white gold, yellow gold or platinum. Very rarely and mostly never will you see a diamond ring set in sterling silver. There are a few infrequent cases with a few low grade diamond chips set in silver, but usually this will not happen. If you see a jewelry store with this practice, they are usually selling zirconia and claiming them as diamonds.
Take off your rings when you’re in the shower. It can be often tempting to keep your wedding band or promise ring on all the time, but the chemicals in soap, body wash and shampoo can have negative effects on your ring. Another great reason is because rings can often slide off and disappear down the drain. Keep your ring everlasting and safe by removing it before stepping into the shower.
When wearing jewelry, less is more. You don’t need to wear a necklace, earrings, bracelets, a watch, and rings to make your outfit look complete. Choose pieces that work well with your outfit and what you’re wearing. One well chosen bracelet or necklace will draw more compliments than multiple striking items.
Before adding a piece of jewelry to your collection, research current trends. If there is one thing better than a beautiful piece of jewelry, it’s finding that jewelry at a great price!
Create a vintage Victorian look with jewelry you already own. Layer several necklaces of different lengths and materials together. If you don’t have any long necklaces, consider fastening several shorter ones together end to end. Thread a piece of ribbon or lace through them and add a cameo pin clipped to one side to finish.
Keep your plastic wristwatch clean and shiny. Just because you didn’t spend a lot on your jewelry doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take good care of it. A simple and cheap way to keep your watch looking great is to put toothpaste on a dry cloth and rub. Your plastic watch will look brand new.
When you are working with any kind of silver there is one word that you should always keep in mind – polish! If you polish your silver regularly it will keep it shiny and beautiful for much longer. This helps to extend the life of the piece as well as look newer for longer.
If you are planning to wear jewelry, it is important that you put your jewelry on after you put your clothes on. There are pointed edges on jewelry that can cause your clothing and your jewelry to get ruined. Additionally, you should take off your jewelry before you get undressed.
If you are buying jewelry for someone else, it may be a good idea to shop for their birthstone. Knowing their favorite (like ruby, emerald or diamond) can also be helpful. For yourself, make sure you’re picking something that expresses you. Remember these tips next time you go shopping for jewelry.