It can be great fun to go jewelry shopping, but the price tags can be stressful. Different jewelry materials can make a very big difference in the overall value of a piece. An uneducated customer might pay too much. This article will show you how to make your jewelry purchases wisely.
Store your jewelry carefully. It is recommended to separate the items stored by using compartments, boxes, holders and hooks. Avoid just throwing them into a box in an unorganized manner. This can harm fragile and fine pieces, along with severely tangling necklaces with other pieces.
Sterling Silver
When shopping for genuine sterling silver jewelry, you need both a discerning eye and a small magnet. As a precious metal, silver should never be attracted to a magnet. You can recognize sterling silver by stamps that say ‘.925’ or ‘ster’. If the piece of presumed silver is not marked, be skeptical that is real silver. It could very well be a fake.
When you are purchasing a new piece of jewelry, be aware of the gemstone that it contains and what it is made of. Gemstones come in three different varieties: natural, imitation and synthetic. Natural stones and synthetic gems are both real, but imitation gems are probably just colored glass or plastic. Natural gems are those that are actually from the earth, whereas synthetic ones are made in labs.
When you purchase jewelry, you are investing in an item that will last a lifetime. It is important to invest in a quality piece of jewelry, so only work with respected and reputable jewelers. Any high-quality jewelry will show superior craftsmanship, and will be well-made. Make sure the jeweler is able to tell you the history of the piece, including who created it and where any stones come from. Investing in a high-quality jewelry piece ensures that you will have a timeless item that will be just as wearable in 20 years as it is today.
Do some research on the best way to clean your particular piece of jewelry. Not all types of jewelry can be cleaned in the same manner. A technique that is effective for one type of stone or metal may actually cause damage to another. When in doubt about the right way to maintain your jewelry, just ask a professional jeweler.
Special care is required for costume jewelry. These pieces are often put together with glue, which does not last as long as other methods. Keep your costume jewelery away from water or chemicals. To care for it best, wipe your jewelry with a damp, warm cloth and dry it with a different cloth. Doing so will keep your jewelry looking its best for life.
Before you purchase a new piece of fine jewelry, think about how you will wear it. You should not have a lot of jewelery that you are never going to put on. Think of the outfits that you own, and use those to help you choose your jewelry.
When you list jewelry for sale online, make sure you present it in the best possible way. This is very important since customers cannot handle the jewelry in an online transaction. Ensure the focus of your pictures is the piece itself.
A diamond’s cut and clarity are often times more important than how big it is. You must think of the person who will be wearing the jewelry.
That includes dry or steam saunas. This is because the extreme heat and moisture can cause serious problems to the piece.
When you are buying jewelry for someone, it may be a good idea to buy a set instead of just one piece. Some stores give deals when sets of jewelry are purchased. There is nothing stopping you from splitting a set after buying it; you can use a set for a series of gifts over multiple holidays, for example. It is an excellent way to know that you have a gift for someone that he or she is sure to love.
When buying an expensive jewelry piece, you want it to last for many years. Quality pieces are often accompanied by a hefty price tag, but you should also carefully consider style and trends. A piece that is made in a popular style may not look quite so fashionable later. Try and find something that is timeless.
Whether you’re shopping for a ring, watch, necklace or other piece, you should now be better equipped to make wise purchasing decisions. These helpful tips will save you both time and money.