No matter your reason for buying jewelry, you should understand how to responsibly buy and sell it. This article will give you the tips and tricks that you need to get the most from the money and time you devote to jewelry.
Sterling Silver
When you go shopping for sterling silver jewelry pieces, take with you a magnet and a monocle. Magnets attract non-precious metals, and you can use this fact to detect fakes. There should be a stamp hallmarked that says something like .925 sterling or ster, on sterling silver If you cannot find a stamp, you might be looking at a cheap imitation.
See what types of earrings they wear, what color, if they wear ankle bracelets, etc. Noticing these things lets you choose jewelry more suited to their tastes.
Before you buy a new piece of jewelry, look at what the current trends are. It is one thing to get a gorgeous bauble, but it is another to get it on sale!
Ask about insurance from your jeweler before purchasing a new piece. If something happens to your piece, you’ll know you can take it to the jeweler you bought it from, who will repair it or replace the piece. In some instances, you can even insure your jewelry against loss or theft.
Costume Jewelry
You need to pay attention to care and maintenance if you intend to build up a costume jewelry collection. Quality costume jewelry may cost more, but a cheaply made piece will fall apart and will quickly become unusable. A piece of costume jewelry that has been treated well can be a treasure for years to come.
Give the jewelry a little test drive and wear it for a little bit to see if it is comfortable and lays right. You will be able to tell if it will hold up to wear and tear.
You need to know how to care for each piece in your jewelry collection. Different metals, stones, and settings have different needs to ensure proper maintenance. A technique that is effective for one type of stone or metal may actually cause damage to another. It’s best to speak with a jeweler before you attempt to care of an unfamiliar piece of jewelry.
Put your make up on before the jewelery. Makeup can gravitate dust and grime towards your jewelry leaving it to look dull. This applies to necklaces and earrings more than anything else.
A diamond with brilliant clarity and a perfect cut can be more attractive, not to mention more valuable, than a stone that is larger but flawed. You also need to think about who is going to receive this ring.
Know your options when shopping for diamonds. Every diamond is unique, and each will have some flaws. You may not care too much about some flaws if you realize they’re difficult to discern. You can also use the flaws as a point for discussing a discount. Comparison shop between various jewelers to locate the best diamond in the price range that you can afford.
When it is properly selected and cared for, jewelry has considerable value, both sentimental and financial. By learning what you need to treat your jewelry, you can protect the money and memories invested in it. This is more information out there, and by continuously education yourself, you can get more from your own jewelry.