Many people feel intimidated when first investing in jewelry. There are dozens of types of materials that are used to make different pieces of jewelry, and they each come with a different price tag. Without some basic knowledge, it is very easy to end up paying too much. Read on for some tips on becoming a jewelry shopping pro.
Separate your jewelry for storage to avoid getting pieces tangled. A better idea is to keep the pieces separate by using boxes, hooks, compartments or holders. Avoiding piling your nice jewelry pieces into one big heap in a box. This can harm fragile and fine pieces, along with severely tangling necklaces with other pieces.
Precious Metals
Store your jewelry in a place that is not subjected to humidity extremes or open air. A drawstring bag or closed box offers the best protection from moisture in the air. Humid air affects the metals in jewelry and causes tarnishing. You can restore the precious metals back to their former glory, but plated jewelry is different. Trying to polish those pieces can reveal the non-precious metals underneath, such as copper.
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. Your sterling silver jewelery should always be imprinted if it is real. The stamp may read “.925” or “ster”. If the piece that you are looking at is not hallmarked, this is usually the sign that it is a fake.
When shopping for a diamond, it’s crucial that you do comparisons. Look at the pieces up close before purchasing them, and be sure to compare them to others. There are ways to hide some of a diamond’s imperfections, so be very particular about each one you view.
Pay attention if they usually wear studs or hoop earrings, white gold or yellow, and any other typical jewelry that they wear. This should give you a grasp of their tastes, and some ideas about what to buy for them.
Take stones into consideration when you go to purchase new jewelry. Choose pieces that have stones which express your personality and those that make you feel great when you wear them. Pieces in neutral tones work well with any item in your wardrobe. It will be of no value to you to purchase jewels that are not easy to incorporate into your lifestyle.
Costume Jewelry
Costume jewelry needs to be handled and stored delicately. Many embellishments on costume jewelry are only secured with glue rather than set into the piece. Don’t immerse costume jewelry in water, and never wash costume jewelery pieces with harsh chemicals. For best results, use a warmed, damp cloth to wipe your jewelry and then use another cloth to dry it. This will ensure that your costume jewelry looks perfect.
After perusing this article, use the invaluable suggestions provided the next time you consider acquiring cuff links, watches, rings, bracelets and necklaces. Not only are you going to save yourself some time, but you also are going to save quite a few dollars by following the tips and tricks in this article.