Are you buying or selling jewelry for the first time? You probably don’t even know where to start. It’s no secret that buying or selling jewelry for the first time can be a bit overwhelming. Below are some tips that can help to make getting either process a tad bit easier for you.
Make sure to regularly polish your metal jewelry. Over time it begins to collect dirt, oil and dust and that affects its sheen and overall appearance. This makes the jewelry look worn and old. Go ahead and refresh those pieces using some simple polish to make them look like brand new again.
Save some of your most fragile jewelry for special occasions only. Some fragile stones like opal and peridot should only be worn for special events and then carefully stored until the next occasion. This may seem irritating since you want to be able to wear your best pieces, but it can prolong their life if you avoid exposing them to harm too often.
Costume jewelry is worth considering if you’re going to work and don’t wish to wear any jewelry that has a high value attached to it. Costume pieces of jewelry don’t contain any precious metals or gemstones, which makes them highly affordable and widely available. This type of jewelry does tend to tarnish over time and cannot be shined with a polishing cloth.
You can easily create your own special charm bracelets. You can purchase blank charm bracelets at almost any jewelry store you can think of. The best part is putting on your own charms. Don’t be boring or bland by buying a pre-made charm bracelet. Display your private memories and personality with charms that mean something to you. Collect charms from different places you love to visit or take apart vintage pieces of mismatched jewelry that no longer serve a purpose. Making your own charm bracelet is not only a fun pastime, but also proves to be a fashion statement.
The best tool for any jewelry hunter, whether searching for personal treasure or for the profit in reclaiming gold or silver, is a jeweler’s loupe. Jeweler’s loupes are small, but powerful magnifying instruments designed specially for use in examining jewelry at very close range. Some jeweler’s loupes also have a built-in, battery-powered light which can be very handy if examining pieces in a dimly lit area. Most jeweler’s loupes are extremely economical in cost and can help you make the most of your jewelry-buying dollar, especially when buying from second-hand sources.
The stone is an important part of a piece of jewelry so should be considered carefully. Purchase stones that are a reflection of you who are, and match your skin tone as well. Think about how the stones will work with your style, and pick neutral colors that go with everything in your wardrobe. You want to have plenty of opportunities to show off every piece.
Use a cloth dampened with a solution of water and a few drops of dish-washing liquid to clean your pearls. Lightly rub each pearl with the cloth, and allow them to air-dry. Never soak pearls, as doing so can cause massive damage to the integrity of the gem. Keeping your pearls clean ensures a long life for them.
It is possible to remove the knots from jewelry that has become tangled. Do not give up, but instead get a piece of plastic wrap. Place the chain in on the plastic wrap and add a few drops of baby oil onto the knots. Use small needles to untangle the necklaces. Clean with warm, soapy water and gently pat dry.
As you have seen, buying or selling jewelry is not as intimidating as they may appear at first. Just think of all of the benefits you now have by knowing more about jewelry in general. You can now make smarter decisions when you buy or sell to avoid losing money.