To get the jewelry that you want or need, you will have to do research to gain more understanding about jewelry in general. This can make it hard to know where to start.
Keep your whole jewelry collection sparkling with a polishing cloth. You can keep your items shiny without using chemicals. Buff your jewelry with the two-sided cloth, just as if you were cleaning a glass. First you should use the polish side, then use the shining side to really make your jewelry look stunning!
Avoid harsh chemicals like bleach, ammonia and acetone that may permanently damage your jewelry. This will result in damage to both the stones and the metal of the piece.
Take a moment to consider how your valuable jewelry is stored and sorted. It is recommended to separate the items stored by using compartments, boxes, holders and hooks. Jewelry should not be lumped together in a pile. This can damage fragile jewelry, and make it difficult to find the necklace you want because it’s tangled with other pieces.
Precious Metals
Keep your jewelery in a space that is dry and doesn’t have any air flow. For maximum protection you can choose to store them inside of a small drawstring or a closed jewelry box. Humidity and air tends to cause precious and non-precious metals to tarnish. The thing about this is that non-precious metals cannot fully recover from this because underneath, the copper shows through. However, keep in mind that precious metals can go back to their own original forms.
If you are looking to purchase sterling silver jewelry make sure that you have a magnet with you and a good eye. Magnets attract non-precious metals, and you can use this fact to detect fakes. Also, look to make sure that silver is hallmarked and stamped with .925, sterling or ster. If there is no hallmark, watch its authenticity since it may be fake.
When you are shopping for diamonds, there are ways to compare the stones. Look at what you want very closely, and keep that in mind so you can compare it with other diamonds you look at. Beware, there are many tricks to enhance the look of a sub-par diamond.
Before buying a new item of jewelry, do a little research on recent trends. The only thing better than picking up a gorgeous bauble is getting it on sale!
Be sure to at least inquire about the insurance that is available when you buy jewelry from a reputable jeweler. These policies dictate whether or not the jeweler will replace or fix your item of jewelry if it is damaged. Some jewelers will offer insurance on jewelry that might have been stolen or lost.
Think about what stones you would want before you purchase a new piece of jewelry. You should chose stones that reflect your personality, as well as complement your skin tone. Choosing neutral colors can help them match anything you wear. Buying a stone that you will never wear is pointless
You should always make an effort to properly care for all of your jewelry. Different kinds of jewelery will require you take care of them in different ways. Cleaning and maintenance techniques that work perfectly on one stone might cause damage to another. Whenever you buy a new piece of jewelry, ask the jeweler the best way to clean and maintain it.
As you can see, it does indeed require some knowledge and effort for both the buying and selling of jewelry. Add these tips to your arsenal of knowledge to make more informed choices with your own jewelry.