No matter who you are buying jewelry for or why you are buying it, you must know how to responsibly purchase, sell and adequately care for it. In this article you will learn some handy tricks for getting the most out of the money and effort you put into jewelry.
Make sure you organize your jewelry properly. Use a box that has several different compartments and hooks to keep your pieces apart. Avoid simply piling them on top of each other in a box. This can harm delicate parts, and tangle some pieces with others, like necklaces.
Sterling Silver
Bring a magnet when shopping for sterling silver jewelery. If the piece you are examining is not silver and is made from non-precious metal, it will be attracted to the magnet. Sterling silver should always bear a stamp that says Sterling, Ster. or .925. If the piece you’re inspecting doesn’t carry such a mark, be careful, as it is likely a fake.
Compare lots of diamonds before you settle on one to buy. See what you like up close, and then compare it to other pieces that you look at. You must be a sharp consumer to avoid tricks that might make a diamond look better than it really is.
See what types of earrings they wear, what color, if they wear ankle bracelets, etc. This information will allow you to purchase that special piece that they will treasure for life.
Costume Jewelry
You should ensure the quality of the pieces of costume jewelry that you purchase for your collection. Costume jewelry can be very expensive and a great investment, but a piece that shows too much wear and tear will not be worth the money or time. A piece of costume jewelry that has been treated well can be a treasure for years to come.
Consider how you should best clean each piece of your jewelry. Each type of stone, metal, and setting requires different type of care. Not all jewelry should be cared for in the same way. If you can’t find proper treatment methods, try consulting with a professional jeweler.
A brooch is a great accent for your belt, adding eye-catching interest. Place the broach in the middle of your waist for the best effect.
One way to ensure that your jewelry stays clean is to put it only after you have applied your make-up and it has had time to set. Makeup will settle into your jewelry making it look dull and dingy. This is especially true when earrings and necklaces are concerned.
Find out if your gemstone was treated before you buy it and if it was, how it was treated. 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.
Make sure that you regularly untangle delicate, knotted necklaces. It’s easy to get frustrated when trying to get the knots out of a badly tangled necklace, but try using some plastic wrap before you call it quits. Put the necklace onto a wrap, and place mineral or baby oil on it. You would then untangle the necklace using needles. Wash them using dish soap, and then pat dry them.
You will increase the sentimental and actual value of your jewelry with proper care and maintenance. If you know how to properly care for your jewelry, your memories and financial investments are also going to remain safe. There is a lot more information out there, so keep educating yourself so that you will know how to get the most out of your jewelry.