With gold and jewels costing so much money, purchasing, storing, and even cleaning your jewelry requires some knowledge so that you don’t end up suffering any type of financial loss. It’s always great to have some information at your disposal and this article will clue you in on some great jewelry-specific tips you can use.
Try not to bathe or swim in your fine jewelry. Many times the type of water (hard versus soft) can splash and wear the metal jewelry or stain the stone. There are also chemicals like chlorine found in many swimming pools that can turn stones and badly stain metal jewelry.
When purchasing jewels, you should understand which type of stone you are getting. Three different kinds of gems are available for purchase: imitation, synthetic and natural. Synthetic and natural are real stones, while the imitation ones are plastic that is colored. Natural gemstones are mined, while synthetic gems are artificially grown.
When you are shopping for a diamond, make sure to shop around and compare. Take a very close look at the piece you like, and then make the comparison to any others on your favorites list. Don’t fall for any of the tricks used by shady dealers. They employ these tactics to make a diamond look better than it really is.
Be sure to pay attention to details like type of metal and shape. This will help you get started in your search for the perfect item of jewelry for your loved one.
If you lose the butterfly backing for your post earrings, you can easily replace them. Any local craft stores carry replacement backings for post earrings in the jewelry making aisles. You can find them in different metals such as sterling silver, gold plating, silver plating or silver tone metal. You no longer have to throw your old earrings out, you can replace the backing quite affordably.
When buying jewelry as a gift – keep in mind the person that you are buying it for – and make sure that it is appropriate. Save the super-expensive jewelry for loved ones. Giving pricey baubles to people who are not that close to you can give them the wrong idea, or make them feel uncomfortable. Let the relationship that you share with others dictate they type of jewelry that you give them.
You should regularly clean your silver jewelry. You should not let it get black or gray. A cheap, and simple, way to effectively clean your jewelry is to brush your pieces just like you would your own teeth. Just put a bit of toothpaste onto a dry cloth and rub. Clean in no time.
Always make sure you buy jewelry after you are educated in the subject. For example, do not go to buy a diamond without first educating yourself on the specifics of diamonds. A dealer may try to sell you something that is not worth his asking price based off of your ignorance. If you are well informed you cannot be hoodwinked.
When buying jewelry, stay away from well-known name brands. Without any difference in quality, just adding the name of a particular business to an item, could increase the price by as much as 80 percent. Try browsing styles that you like at these locations and then comparison shop at stores that are more likely to have sales.
Make sure that you understand the language and jargon the jewelers speak. When you go looking at jewelry they will throw out information about the grade of the stones. It is important that you know what they are talking about and it will save both you and the jeweler time if you understand at least a little bit about the language that they use.
Avoid spraying your perfume or hairspray after putting your pearls on. Instead, spray first and then put your jewelry on. Pearls are extremely porous and absorb chemicals found in things like hairspray and perfume very easily. Minimize the contact between your pearls and such chemicals to keep them beautiful.
Clean silver jewelry with products from your kitchen. Silver jewelry tarnishes with time but it is easily cleaned with vinegar. Combine half a cup of white vinegar with two tablespoons of baking soda in a small bowl. Stir the mixture until it forms bubbles. Put your silver jewelry into the solution leaving it for two to three hours depending on how tarnished it is. Remove the jewelry and wash it under cool running water. It will look as good as new!
Clean gold properly. Even though gold has an advantage because it doesn’t tarnish or rust, it still needs cleaning. Harsh chemical cleaners will strip away any shine or luster, so only use a soft wet cloth for cleaning. If there are hard to reach areas, you can use a soft-bristled toothbrush dipped in warm soapy water.
When considering jewelry for your wedding, be sure that you consider the option of renting the jewelry for yourself and/or your entire wedding party. This is important because you can save a lot of money and nobody in attendance will know either way. It is only important that you look your best.
When it comes to men’s jewelry fashion tips, it is important to consider that choosing the outfit first is essential. This is important because the outfit should be what stands out the most, not the jewelry. Let the clothing dictate which jewelry is worn and you will end up looking much more like you know what you’re doing.
When shopping for expensive jewelry, bring a trusted friend or family member along. It can also be a confusing one, with so many choices available. Bringing a second person along gives you an extra set of eyes, as well as, an important second opinion.
As stated previously in the article, there’s always a potential to suffer a financial loss when dealing with jewelry, whether you’re buying it, selling it, cleaning it, or trying to store it. Use the tips you just read in this article to protect your jewelry and to protect your wallet.