Jewelry is one of the few things that almost everyone agrees is nice. That being said it is very easy to use jewelry in poor taste or even in a tacky way. This article contains some tips about maintaining and using jewelry properly so that you can avoid faux pas such as these.
When you go shopping for sterling silver jewelry pieces, take with you a magnet and a monocle. Jewelry made with non-precious metals will be attracted to the magnet, revealing any fakes. If your silver is sterling, you will also notice a mark on the piece. This mark might state .925, sterling, or ster. If your silver is not marked, it could be because it is not real!
It is sometimes hard to stand out from the crowd or find a meaningful piece of jewelry. Jewelry stores usually sell the same type of designs that prove to be a bore after a while. Go bold and purchase handmade artisan jewelry instead. Handmade jewelry will always be a success due to its one-of-a-kind nature. You will never see anyone else wearing the same thing as you and you will also be supporting an artist instead of an import company relying on low wage labor.
A great place to purchase almost any type of jewelry in the world is Ebay. Ebay is an amazingly large marketplace that serves as a gateway to the world. You can purchase affordable vintage, fashion and fine jewelry. Ebay can help you get the best deals and even purchase jewelry that has long since been considered rare or no longer manufactured.
Attending yard-sales is a great way to build up a collection of jewelry. Many people sell old costume jewelry for practically pennies. This is a perfect opportunity to stock up on broken pieces that can be repaired or made into new jewelry later. Many new beautiful pieces of jewelry can be born of old broken pieces. Use yard-sales to build up your collection.
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.
If you would like to start collecting gemstone jewelry, make sure that you do your research first. It is important that you know what to look for in spotting fakes and what to look for to identify genuine gemstones. It can also be beneficial to know what different countries and areas different gemstones are indigenous to. This can help determine if what you’re looking at is real or fake.
Know what you are looking for, when you first get to the store. If you are well-prepared for your visit to the jeweler, you will be less likely to make impulse purchases should the opportunity arise. Have a plan and stick to it, to make sure you stay in budget and on track.
If you’re having a difficult time finding that perfect piece of jewelry, consider buying a stone and visiting with a specialist. A jewelry specialist can design a setting just for you, in exactly the way you are envisioning it to be. Your piece will be unique and possibly more valuable because of it’s one of a kind nature.
When shopping for an excellent deal on a piece of jewelry, you should consider purchasing a piece that was previously owned. Many of them are just as nice as their matching new pieces, but the costs will be lower. Your significant other will likely appreciate the fact that you made an effort to find a high-quality piece of jewelry at an affordable price.
When it comes to taking care of your jewelry – be sure that you take it off before taking care of your laundry. This is important to avoid the risk of losing it in your laundry as well as exposing it to harmful cleaning chemicals.
When it comes to taking care of your jewelry be sure that you are only using a soft cloth to rub it down. This is critical in ensuring that you are not causing further damage by scratching it. Be sure that you purchase a jewelry specific cleaning cloth and do not use it for any other purposes.
Don’t wash your hands while wearing inexpensive or costume jewelry, this can damage the finish. Even though these pieces may not have much monetary value, they can be highly sentimental and should be cared for with the same respect as precious jewelry. Place it in a pocket or in your purse before you wash your hands, so that you don’t leave them behind.
When you are making a serious, high-dollar jewelry purchase, make sure that you can get years of use out of it. Quality is normally a given with higher expense, however, style should be considered as well. Although something may be in style now, it may seem tacky after a few years. Choose a piece that has classic lines and timeless style.
Don’t use toothpaste to clean your jewelry. There are countless websites out there claiming that toothpaste is a great way to clean jewelry. Fine jewelers will tell you otherwise. The abrasives in toothpaste can damage the surface of metal and will permanently ruin soft stones such as turquoise, amber and lapis.
By reading and following these tips you should be able to avoid some of the most common problems involving jewelry. This will allow you to wear your beautiful jewelry without the fear of over using it. These few small tips will go a very long way to helping you look classy.
