When it comes to making a jewelery purchase, you may feel overwhelmed on what to get. If you are properly educated on the topic of jewelry, this decision can be made a little bit easier. The following article is going to provide you with this necessary information so you will know what to look for in a piece of jewelry.
Pewter jewelry has been widely popular for decades. If you’re looking to invest in jewelry pieces made from pewter, make sure that they are lead free. For a long time, pewter jewelry has contained lead causing many unhealthy side effects to the wearer. Usually modern jewelry made from this metal is advertised as lead-free if it doesn’t contain any.
You can get jewelry that speaks of ancient and vintage times passed. They take their styling from the Victorian era and other famous time periods. These make perfect pieces to any wardrobe where you want to show some old world class. Popular types include Bakelite jewelry, book chains, cameos, celluloid jewelry, doublets, filigree jewelry, and much more.
Sites like Etsy have a wide selection of handmade jewelry. You can find many unique, one of a kind pieces, but be careful. Some sellers may use pendants or other findings that can be widely purchased in bulk or from craft stores. Read reviews or search for similar items to make sure you’re getting the best value.
Study current jewelry trends prior to shopping for a piece. Getting a great deal on beautiful bauble makes getting it even more enjoyable.
Don’t discard your antique broach from Grandma, re-purpose it. If you put a chain through it, the broach instantly becomes a fashionable necklace. Vintage jewelry is extremely popular these days and finding a way to make it wearable makes it fashionable. Re-using is also a popular concept in our “green” society. That broach can serve you well with just a slight alteration to its use.
Before purchasing earrings that have diamonds or other stones in them, make sure that the stones can be replaced. You do not want to be put in a situation where the stones have fallen out of your earrings and they cannot be replaced. If you are unsure, you can always ask a jeweler before you buy them.
When shopping for jewelry, think about the stones in the pieces. Choose a stone that goes well with your skin tone or the kind of clothes you wear and reflects your personality. Colors should be neutral so that they go with most of your outfits. As long as you’re spending money, it makes more sense to purchase something that is functional as well as beautiful.
When learning a new jewelry-making technique, use cheaper materials. For instance, if you are learning wire techniques, pick up some aluminum or copper wire from a local craft store, instead of using your sterling silver wire. This will help you get the valuable practice you need to master the technique, while sparing your pocketbook. If you mess up on your top-quality materials, they may become unusable.
If your jewelry has gemstones, you should not soak your jewelry when you are trying to clean it. Gemstones can absorb water and soap, causing them to lose their natural color. When you are cleaning gemstones, you should use a damp cloth to scrub it clean so you can preserve your jewelry’s natural luster.
When purchasing jewelry, you should spend plenty of time comparison shopping within your price range so that you can get the best-quality jewelry available. Jewelry is one of those commodities where quality matters a great deal. A modest but well-crafted piece is a better buy than something which is extravagant but shoddy.
When it comes to taking care of your jewelry be sure that you are only using a soft cloth to rub it down. This is critical in ensuring that you are not causing further damage by scratching it. Be sure that you purchase a jewelry specific cleaning cloth and do not use it for any other purposes.
If you have extra beads left over after a jewelry project, use them to make a pair of earrings. Earrings are generally less time-intensive than other jewelry options, and you will not need as much material to complete them. A simple option is to thread bicone crystals and small seed beads, alternating the different types, and then attaching the ends of the thread to an earring finding.
Before purchasing a diamond ring, earrings, or pendant, familiarize yourself with the wide variety of cuts available. The Asscher cut diamond is uniquely cut, in a square shape with cropped corners. This particular cut draws the eye to the diamond and is perfect for those with an appreciation of art deco styling.
There’s nothing worse than losing a piece of jewelry due to a delicate clasp. Some gold jewelry will have a weak clasp in order to keep the integrity of the piece (soft gold), but you can sacrifice a little bit of gold on your necklace or bracelet and have a jeweler put a sturdier clasp on to ensure safety.
Give the gift that allows you to keep on giving. Add-a-pearl and add-a-bead type necklaces and bracelets along with charm bracelets make gift-giving easy! Start your loved one off with the basic chain or bracelet necessary and perhaps a pearl, bead or charm to commemorate the occasion, and with every holiday, birthday or special event in the future, use those opportunities to add to it with additional charms and beads.
As was stated in the beginning of this article, purchasing jewelry can be an overwhelmed experience. However, now that you have some jewelry knowledge, going to a jeweler can be a more relaxing experience. Use the advice from this article to get a piece of jewelry that you can enjoy for years to come.
