You need to learn how to take care of jewelry and buy and sell it responsibly, whether you are giving jewelry gifts, receiving them, or inheriting family heirlooms. This article will teach you how to save money when buying jewelry and care for it effectively.
Make sure you know what kind of gem you are getting when you are buying jewelry. There are three different types: natural, synthetic and imitation. Natural and synthetic are both real, while imitation is just basically colored plastic. Natural stones are found in mines, while synthetic stones are produced by machines.
Before you make a final jewelry-buying decision, take a look at what’s new and trendy. Price a variety of similar items before buying an expensive piece.
Costume Jewelry
If you like to buy costume jewelry, make sure that you examine the condition carefully. Costume jewelry can be very expensive and a great investment, but a piece that shows too much wear and tear will not be worth the money or time. A piece of costume jewelry that has been treated well can be a treasure for years to come.
Give the jewelry a little test drive and wear it for a little bit to see if it is comfortable and lays right. Doing this also helps you see if the jewelery is long lasting or likely to break easily.
Makeup isn’t for jewelry. Let your makeup dry before you put on a piece of jewelry. Any kind of spare dust or oil will attach itself to your jewelry, so putting it on before makeup will just make it look a little dirty. This applies to necklaces and earrings more than anything else.
If you are attempting to sell jewelry online, it is important to present the item in a flattering manner. Handling jewelry often helps the customer make up his mind but this is not possible with online transactions. Take photos of your jewelry in a place where the focus is on the piece instead of the background.
Many times, the cut and clarity of a diamond outshines its actual carat weight. Also, bear in mind the style of the intended recipient.
Expensive Pieces
All bracelets and necklaces must have a good, durable clasp or closure. Weak clasps put your expensive pieces of jewelry at risk of loss. You can purchase a safety clasp to secure expensive pieces of jewelry. For very expensive items, some consumers choose to increase security with an additional clasp or two.
To keep your necklaces tangle-free, look for pretty, embellished robe hooks. You can keep your necklaces organized by length, color or material when you install a row of robe hooks on a wall or right on the inside of your closet door. This will avoid ever having to untangle balls of necklaces in your jewelry box again. Also, the necklaces will look nice hanging up.
When buying jewelry, you should not buy something only because of the brand. Many designer pieces are of the same quality than other, more affordable baubles. For example, if you opt for a ring from Cartier, you are actually paying more for the name than you are for the piece itself. There are thousands of gorgeous styles available that happen to carry a more reasonable price tag.
Make sure jewelry you purchase can last for a long time. Consider both style and quality when selecting your next jewelry purchase. Something that is cool and trendy now might not look so stylish in a couple of years. Stick to pieces that have stood the test of time.
Gold Jewelry
If your heart is stuck and set on gold jewelry then high gold prices can be a drawback for you. If you decide you must have real gold jewelry, you may want to save money on the karats instead. Buying 18 karat jewelry means you will get a piece that is at least 75% gold. Experts agree that this is the sweet spot on the price-quality curve.
There are a few easy ways to benefit financially from your valuable jewelry without relinquishing it. Remove a small amount from the overall length while retaining enough for the piece to still hang properly. The excess you trimmed can then be sold. With real gold necklaces and bracelets, you can pull in hundreds by just clipping off parts that no one notices anyway.
You can make a real statement with a stand-out piece of onyx or crystal jewelry. Be friendlier with your wallet and you may just like the results.
Remember to combine large and very ornate jewelry with simple outfits. Instead of this, you should wear a classic black dress or some other solid clothing item that can clearly highlight your particular jewelry piece.
Rubies have long been one of the most popular stones for jewelry and for good reason. Although true rubies are a rich, bright red, many stones are available in color variations that range from rosy pinks to deep maroons. They can handle a lot of abuse and are not as affected by chemicals as other jewels. The fine qualities of the ruby makes it a great choice for jewelry.
Alexandrite has a lot of encouraging qualities, but does not get as much press as other stones. This stone changes color from green to purple, depending on the lighting. It is common in many types of jewelry, like rings or earrings.
If you care for your jewelry well, it will be worth a fortune, in both in the sentimental and economic senses. By educating yourself on proper jewelry care and maintenance, you can preserve the money and memories invested in your pieces. There is a vast amount of information that you can find about jewelry. The more knowledge you gain, the more you will learn to value and appreciate each unique piece in your collection.