What jewelry represents is almost as interesting as actually wearing it. A piece of jewelery can be a way of celebrating a special occasion and symbolize a relationship. Expanding your knowledge about jewelry can make the buying and selling experience become more rewarding.
A magnet is a useful tool when shopping for jewelry in sterling silver. Metals that aren’t precious will connect to the magnet, signaling that it is fake. Sterling silver always has some sort of stamp to indicate it is sterling. Be wary of pieces that lack any silver hallmarks, as this is an indication that they’re not genuine sterling silver.
Find out more about the gems you look at. Ask about where they came from and to which category they belong. The three types are imitation, synthetic and natural. Synthetic stones are lab created jewels, while imitation stones are normally colored glass. Natural stones are found in the earth and are mined out, while synthetic ones are grown in laboratories.
Always check with your jeweler about insurance policy options before buying anything. You want to know if they will be able to repair or replace the piece if it was to break. Some jewelers will offer insurance on jewelry that might have been stolen or lost.
Keep your jewelry free of tarnish to make it look its best. Keep your jewelry away from water. This could cause your jewelery to rust or become more dull. If you must take your jewelry somewhere wet, prepare it by adding some clear nail polish on the surface.
Try out the jewelery by wearing it for a period of time, like a day, so you can see whether it’s uncomfortable or doesn’t hang as well as you hoped. This will also help you to determine if the piece is sufficiently durable.
Investigate your gemstone to determine if it has been treated before you purchase it, and what type of treatment it had. A treatment will make a difference on how to care for your gemstone. You want to avoid putting a solution on jewelry that has been treated, particularly if you do not know whether or not it will hurt the piece.
When it comes to jewelry, whether you are buying, selling or simply wearing and enjoying it, you need good information to protect your investment. It doesn’t matter whether jewelry reminds you of good times you’ve had or hope for the future. All jewelry encompasses human emotion in some form.