You must know what you’re doing or do the research prior to shopping for jewelry in order to make a good purchase. This can make it hard to know where to start.
Be cautious of the way all of your personal jewelry gets stored together. 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 delicate parts, and tangle some pieces with others, like necklaces.
Sterling Silver
If you are shopping for sterling silver jewelry, you’ll need a magnet and an eye for the real thing. If the piece you are examining is not silver and is made from non-precious metal, it will be attracted to the magnet. In addition, sterling silver pieces are always stamped with silver hallmarks indicating such factors as the degree of purity, the manufacturer’s symbol, and the date of manufacture. Some of the most common hallmarks are “925, “ster,” “sterling,” and “sterling silver.” If the piece that you are looking at is not hallmarked, this is usually the sign that it is a fake.
Have shopping companions when you shop for diamonds. Take a good look at all the pieces that you like, examining them and comparing them to each other. With diamonds, you need to have a keen eye because of the many tricks people will use to enhance it.
What color gold do they seem to favor – white or yellow? Do they normally wear a bracelet? What type of earrings do they prefer – drop and dangle or studs? Take a mental note of this important information. This way, you know where you should start when buying a gift.
Before you buy a new piece of jewelry, research the latest trends. If you look around you may be able to find a great deal!
You need to learn the best ways to take care of your jewelry. Every metal, setting, and stone has different requirements when it comes to care. Cleaning and maintenance techniques that work perfectly on one stone might cause damage to another. When in doubt about the right way to maintain your jewelry, just ask a professional jeweler.
Costume Jewelry
Costume jewelry needs to be handled carefully. Many embellishments on costume jewelry are only secured with glue rather than set into the piece. Never immerse your costume jewelry or use harsh chemicals on it. To properly care for it you need to use a cloth dampened with warm water. After wiping make sure to use another cloth to thoroughly dry it. This will ensure that all of your costume jewelry looks like it did the day you bought it.
As we have shown in this article, doing your homework can certainly have many benefits if you are buying and selling jewelry. This article has provided you with important techniques to ensure your success.