You will never have enough information about jewelery. If you make just the wrong mistake, you could lose a great deal of money! What follows are some common sense jewelry tips that will help prevent you from making these costly mistakes. The following tips will help you understand how to choose and care for beautiful jewelry pieces, while preventing some common mistakes.
Arm yourself with a magnet and a magnifying glass when shopping for sterling silver jewelry. Use the magnet to detect fake jewelry; real silver will not be attracted to the magnet, but the cheaper metals will. You will always find a hallmark stamp such as “.925” or “STER.” on genuine sterling, or alternately, it might simply say, “STERLING”. Be wary of pieces that lack any silver hallmarks, as this is an indication that they’re not genuine sterling silver.
Synthetic Gems
When you purchase jewelery ensure you know what you are buying. Gems are divided into three main categories: imitation, synthetic and natural. Natural stones and synthetic gems are both real, but imitation gems are probably just colored glass or plastic. Natural gems are dug up from the ground, and synthetic gems are man-made in a lab.
Take the time to notice what kind of jewelry they already wear. For example, if they wear earrings, are they hoop or studs? Do they prefer white or yellow metals? Noticing these things lets you choose jewelry more suited to their tastes.
Give the jewelry a little test drive and wear it for a little bit to see if it is comfortable and lays right. This can also help you see whether the piece is durable enough to last.
It is a good idea to determine the best approaches for jewelry care. Various settings, types of metals, and gemstones need different types of care to protect them and make sure they get cleaned properly. Not all jewelry should be cared for in the same way. Whenever you buy a new piece of jewelry, ask the jeweler the best way to clean and maintain it.
Costume Jewelry
Costume jewelry needs special care. Many of the stones and embellishments are just glued in instead of set in a professional setting. Don’t immerse costume jewelry in water, and never wash costume jewelery pieces with harsh chemicals. The best way to clean these pieces are to wipe them clean with a damp cloth and dry immediately with another cloth. This keeps dirt from building up and making your jewelry look dull.
When you want to sell jewelry on the Internet, you should try to show it off in an attractive way. A nice photo and description is essential since your online customer will not be able to see the piece in person. Avoid taking photographs of jewelery with backgrounds that distract from the piece.
A good quality clap is very important to any necklace or bracelet. A flimsy clasp could result in lost jewelry. If you have expensive or heirloom items, invest in a safety clasp. For added protection, you may choose to use an additional clasp beyond the one you already have.
Take your jewelry off before you go swimming. Your jewelry’s luster and life can be damaged from the chlorine that is present in the pool water. Even ocean swimming is not good for jewelry. The salt is damaging. Taking these off before swimming will protect their beauty and extend their life.
Well, it’s easy when you know how. This article has just touched on a few of things that you should know about this very rewarding hobby. There is much to learn, but at least you’ve now got a few good ideas to put to work.