Choosing jewelry can be difficult – even overwhelming. There is so much choice and so much you need to know; especially if you have never purchased much. The following tips will help you learn some useful things that you need to know about jewelry. When you know what things to look for it makes it more enjoyable.
When you go jewelry shopping, make sure that it is with people you know and trust that can help you find what it is that you need. There should ideally be at least two people to help you with your shopping experience. The first should be an experienced and trustworthy jeweler. The other should be a loved one or good friend.
Jewelry should last a life-time. When buying jewelry, only buy from dealers with good reputations, so that you don’t buy a piece that seems durable, but really isn’t. High-quality jewelry is durable and displays excellent craftsmanship. A good jeweler can provide you with some background on the piece, such as who crafted it, where it was manufactured, and where any stones in it came from. It is essential to purchase high-quality jewelry if you want it to become a treasured heirloom passed down for generations.
Soak diamonds for twenty minutes in a solution made of four parts water and one part ammonia for a sparkling shine. Scrub them with a soft dampened toothbrush allows cleaning of hard to reach places, such as under the gem or around the prongs. Dry it with a soft cloth to keep it shining and looking new.
If you’d like to wear jewelry while wearing a turtleneck, be sure to only wear long necklaces. Shorter necklaces compete with the neckline of your top and can leave your neck looking stumpy. Look for necklaces with a pendant that falls below breast length. When wearing a turtleneck it’s best not to layer your necklaces.
To avoid a tacky amount of jewelry keep to the rule of two. Two great pieces at a time is the most you should attempt in one outfit. Choose a bracelet and a necklace, a necklace and a ring, or ring and a bracelet. Keep it simple for maximum effect.
When it comes to quality and price, don’t count synthetic gemstones out. These gems, which are created in a lab, appear remarkably similar to the real thing. Take this into consideration as you shop for your next piece of jewelry: Rather than spending exorbitant amounts of money for a natural stone, opt for an affordable synthetic stone. The money saved on the stone can go toward a more intricate or higher-quality metal, such as platinum.
If you’re looking for a good piece of jewelry on a budget have you ever considered a pawn shop? Often times people in hard financial times pawn their jewelry, even brand new and in pristine condition. This affords you the opportunity to get a fine piece of jewelry at a fraction of the price!
If you are buying a piece of jewelry for a woman, be sure to take the time to make note of the style of jewelry she wears on a daily basis. Once you have a better idea of what her jewelry style is, you will be able to narrow down the styles and types of jewelry items and find one that will be sure to wow her.
If you have old bracelets, necklaces or rings that you like but do not wear, consider revamping them into new pieces. Gemstones can be reset by professional jewelers, and necklaces can be reworked into bracelets or combined with other necklaces to create a modern, multi-chain design. Be creative and look for ideas online for recycling those outdated pieces.
Picking a good quality diamond is important when purchasing diamond jewelry. Ask to see the diamond under a jeweler’s loop or a diamond microscope. You should notice no visible flaws, fractures, cloudiness or black spots. Watch out for chips that are hidden under prongs as well.
It is hard to determine whether a sapphire or a ruby is natural or synthetic. The ones grown in a lab are exactly the same and cost way less. If you have the least suspicions about a “natural” sapphire or ruby you want to buy, get it checked out by a professional gemologist who can detect the inclusions that occur in natural stones.
To take good care of your jewelry, invest in a nice jewelry box. It will keep your necklaces and bracelets from getting tangled and other pieces from getting scratched or tarnished. It is always nice to have a well organized box when you are looking for an accessory before you go out.
If your jewelry-buying goals get ambitious and you are dead set on a piece, a little outside of your price range, always economize by selecting lower-karat gold, instead of getting plated pieces. Plated jewelry may look superior to impure gold, but its beauty is too fragile and short-lived. Once a plated piece begins to deteriorate, nothing can be done to salvage it.
When buying any type of diamond jewelry, ask the jeweler who grades their diamonds. You want to know that they are using the best quality graders as well as a very experienced grader. Otherwise you might not get the quality of diamond that you are actually paying for. You could even ask for a second opinion.
The tips that have been provided should boost your self-confidence when it comes to jewelry buying and care. You now know what things to look for concerning jewelry, and having the knowledge should also give you the ability to talk to any jeweler with confidence.
