Great Advice For First Time Jewelry Buyers

Great Advice For First Time Jewelry Buyers

Most women have a large amount of money invested in their jewelry. With such a large investment being made, taking proper care of your precious gems is important. Taking care of your jewelry extends its life, and makes it sparkle against your skin. So just how should you care for your precious possessions? Read the following tips and you will find out.

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.

Vintage jewelry can actually make great fashion accessories. It doesn’t have to be your granny’s jewelry any longer. Make a statement piece by displaying a vintage necklace or a pair of vintage earrings. Vintage seems to be all the new rage and almost every store out there seems to be selling vintage inspired pieces. Why buy “inspired pieces” when you can buy the real thing for a fraction of the cost?

Avoid using harmful substances like bleach, ammonia, acetone, turpentine and the like to clean them. Harsh chemicals can destroy the enamel, and ruin the stones in your jewelry.

If you have a round face, stay away from long dangling earrings. Such earrings generally make your face look rounder and draws attention away from great features you may have. Instead, opt to purchase small dangling earrings or stud earrings for a look that enhances your round face and features.

When buying jewelry, you may want to consider semi-precious stones. Semi-precious stones can be found in a wide variety of colors, cuts, and price-ranges. Not only will you be able to get more for less, but, since many people choose precious stones, your semi-precious gemstone jewelry may seem ever rarer than diamonds!

Never wear any jewelry, especially gold pieces, in a swimming pool. The chlorine and other chemicals used to keep pools clean can cause rapid deterioration of the composition of your jewelry. Make sure you remove all pieces, including earrings or other piercings that you may not remove for any other occasion.

Always keep your jewelry in a place that doesn’t experience extreme temperatures or humidities. Some good examples of proper storage would be,a jewelry box that is closed, or a small draw string bag. Being submitted to extreme humidity and temperature can cause your pieces to tarnish. It is possible to polish precious metals, but polishing non-precious metals will damage the coating, which makes the copper that metal was covering show.

Never use solutions or chemicals on emeralds. Chemicals, especially ammonia, will degrade emeralds to the point that they are unrecognizable. Emeralds are especially porous gemstones, so make sure to take great care when cleaning and storing these precious stones. If you are not careful with these, they will quickly lose their worth.

View the gemstones in correct lighting, with the right background. Diamonds or other gems should never be viewed on a black background. Black backgrounds alter your perception of a gems real shine and color, so you may make a purchase and later realize that the stone is not as clear and perfect as you originally assumed.

If you plan on selling jewelry online, you should make sure you know the materials. All jewelry sellers should know about the Federal Trade Commission’s Guides for both the Jewelry and Precious Metal Industries. If you don’t know all the rules, a customer could file a misrepresentation claim against you, which you do not want happening to you.

When wearing jewelry, less is more. You don’t need to wear a necklace, earrings, bracelets, a watch, and rings to make your outfit look complete. Choose pieces that work well with your outfit and what you’re wearing. One well chosen bracelet or necklace will draw more compliments than multiple striking items.

Many types of metals will quickly tarnish when exposed to air for prolonged periods of time. One of the easiest ways to avoid this is by placing them in an air-tight location. A great and simple solution is purchasing small zipper plastic bags and then carefully sealing your jewelry inside them.

Before you go out and purchase a diamond from any location, make sure you research the subject a little bit. Not knowing what to look for or the price range of diamonds might leave you paying a lot more than you should. A lot of jewelers just love uneducated buyers, so don’t fall into that trap.

When it comes to purchasing jewelry, it is advisable to purchase jewelry that you can wear with much of your clothing. This is important because buying jewelry in neutral colors will help you get the most wear out of it. This can also help you justify buying more expensive jewelry because you will wear it more often.

When buying jewelry, don’t worry too much about current trends. Look for classic pieces that can be worn over several years. Something that’s too current will be quickly out of date. A stylish piece that you enjoy but isn’t the latest thing can be a part of your wardrobe for years to come.

Store your earrings on a long piece of ribbon. Tie the ends of the ribbon to each end of your mirror and then tack the earrings to the ribbon, using the backs to keep them in place. This gives you easy access to your favorite pairs, and is also a decorative feature in your bedroom or bathroom.

Pearl’s jewelry is a wonderful and versatile addition to a wardrobe. Pearls can often be accented with sparkling stones, used as an accent on a metal chain, or be shaped in interesting ways- the classical white strand of perfect spheres is certainly not the only way to wear them. Try a pearl necklace with diamond separators!

Taking care of your precious jewelry is important for many reasons. Your jewelry will look better, last longer, and retain its value. In this article we have discussed some important tips for caring for your precious gems. Follow them and you will enjoy your lovely jewels for a lifetime to come.

Fresh Ideas And Tips About Wearing Jewelry

Fresh Ideas And Tips About Wearing Jewelry

Buying jewelry can be a very good experience and especially if what you buy is something that you can hold onto and pass down from generation to generation. You have to be sure to find pieces that suit you, but also those that are worth what you intend to pay for them.

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.

ADVICE: 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.

Finding the right piece of jewelry to wear for a special occasion can be a hard task. If wearing your hair in an up-do, a pair of dangling earrings may look nice. Whereas if you are wearing a dress with a “busy” pattern, a simple necklace and studded earrings might be more appropriate. Base your jewelry off of your outfit and what will complement it, and you will be sure to find the right piece for that special occasion.

When you are looking at buying any type of jewelry, be it costume or vintage, it is important to remember that just because a piece may be signed, it does not necessarily mean it is more valuable. Some jewelry creators sign every piece they make, which drops the value of a signed piece dramatically.

ADVICE: When you need money quickly you may want to consider selling your jewelry to a local pawn shop. Many pawn shops will allow you to sell your jewelry to them and then they give you a certain amount of time to come back to retrieve it.

Before adding a piece of jewelry to your collection, research current trends. If there is one thing better than finding the perfect, most heart-stopping bauble, it would be snagging the piece at a wonderful price!

Keep your plastic wristwatch clean and shiny. Just because you didn’t spend a lot on your jewelry doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take good care of it. A simple and cheap way to keep your watch looking great is to put toothpaste on a dry cloth and rub. Your plastic watch will look brand new.

ADVICE: Beware of wearing hemp jewelry if you plan on swimming. Though hemp jewelry can be very beautiful and appealing when you are dry, you can quickly find yourself in dire straights.

If you own hemp jewelry, never wear it in the shower or while swimming. Exposure to water will greatly reduce the lifespan of your hemp pieces. Always remove your jewelry prior to water related activities, and avoid wearing it on very humid days as well. This will keep your special pieces looking great for a long time.

When you are purchasing a piece of jewelry, an important thing to consider is the return policy of the store. By looking into the return policy of the store, you can be more certain in the quality of the item you are purchasing if you are not satisfied after your purchase.

ADVICE: Many precious gems and stones can not be put in a cleaning solution. It is important that you understand the composition of your ring and the composition of your cleaning solution.

When buying jewelry for a loved one, you can buy a size that may be too big for them. Just about every piece of jewelry can be sized which means that it can be made to fit your loved one. It is important to keep your receipt after purchasing the jewelry so that you can take it back to where you bought it so that you can have it sized.

If you have pearl jewelry, you can add to their preservation by putting on perfumes and lotions first ,then after they’re absorbed into your skin, put your pearls on. Since pearls are porous, these products can be absorbed into the pearl, which can cause it to lose its natural luster.

ADVICE: Consider purchasing pearl jewelry. Pearl jewelry provides a sophisticated look, and it is relatively inexpensive.

If you follow all of the handy advice that was given to you in this article you should have no problem when it comes to procuring jewelry. Do not over think things though, because that can lead to mistakes being made. Just remember what you learned and apply it to your sale.

Jewelry Is One Thing That Typically Retains It’s Value

Jewelry Is One Thing That Typically Retains It’s Value

At one level, selecting and owning jewelry is a visceral, natural experience. Jewelry is supposed to be beautiful. So, all you need to do is pick pieces that appeal to your taste or the taste of their intended recipients. There is a deeper level to jewelry, though. Buying, selling and caring for your jewelry are all processes that can be improved by learning a few handy tips. This article will give you those tips.

Try adding a special personal touch to your pieces by getting them professionally engraved. You can add just about anything and it makes it a more special and memorable piece to you or somebody you care about. You can get names, initials, small messages, symbols, etc. finely carved into your pieces to truly make them one-of-a-kind.

If you see a ring that claims to be diamond and has a sterling silver setting, be very wary. Diamonds are only professionally set in white gold, yellow gold or platinum. Very rarely and mostly never will you see a diamond ring set in sterling silver. There are a few infrequent cases with a few low grade diamond chips set in silver, but usually this will not happen. If you see a jewelry store with this practice, they are usually selling zirconia and claiming them as diamonds.

When shopping for diamonds, make sure that you shop for them based on their four main criteria: color, cut, clarity, and carat. The color refers to the hue of the stone. The cut refers to the way that the stone is fashioned, such as princess and square cuts. Clarity refers to the flawlessness of the stone. The carat refers to the weight of the stone.

You don’t have to settle with the traditional clear diamonds. Diamonds are available in practically every color in the rainbow. They come in blue, pink, red, yellow, brown, black, purple and many more colors. You can find pieces where colored diamonds are the focal point or you can find pieces where they act like accents.

When cleaning your fine jewelry, always follow the recommended cleaning directions for the gemstones used in the piece instead of the metals. Many jewelry cleaners designed to remove tarnish from metals can also dull or even destroy many soft precious gemstones. Use a cleaner safe for all gemstones and avoid harsh chemicals.

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.

Men are very picky about the jewelry they wear, especially when they are gifted some that may seem feminine. When selecting jewelry for a man, make sure it something that goes with the way that they dress. Also, when selecting what you will get for him make sure that it is subtle and not flashy.

When choosing jewelry for an outfit, think about not only what color or colors your clothes are, but also what color your jewelry is. If you’re wearing a necklace on a silver chain, try to pair it with a silver ring or earrings with silver findings. Try to avoid mixing different colored metals unless you have a single piece, such as a watch, that combines both.

If you want to buy one of the ladies in your life a piece of jewelry, but don’t know her size, just sneak something out of her jewelry box that she already wears. That way you can have that item sized and get her the perfect jewelry in the perfect size – she’ll be totally amazed!

If you’re going to buy earrings for a woman, also get a matching necklace. If you want to buy a necklace, grab a bracelet, too. A matched set of jewelry is double the joy for whomever you’re buying it for, which makes picking the perfect item twice as much fun for you!

When trying to shop for diamonds, make sure to take your time. Diamonds, unlike things like computers and cars, will not go bad on you. They should last a lifetime. Also, for the price ranges that these stones run, you should not buy them on impulse. Take your time and create the special piece for you or someone you care about.

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.

Keep your jewelry from tarnishing as best as you can. Avoid wearing your jewelry near water. Many pieces can become rusty, tarnished or dull when they are exposed to water. Use a thinner coat of your clear nail polish on your jewelry for extra protection.

If you would like to start collecting gemstone jewelry, make sure that you do your research first. It is important that you know what to look for in spotting fakes and what to look for to identify genuine gemstones. It can also be beneficial to know what different countries and areas different gemstones are indigenous to. This can help determine if what you’re looking at is real or fake.

If you own hemp jewelry, never wear it in the shower or while swimming. Exposure to water will greatly reduce the lifespan of your hemp pieces. Always remove your jewelry prior to water related activities, and avoid wearing it on very humid days as well. This will keep your special pieces looking great for a long time.

To dress up a knit top or a T-shirt, pair it with a long necklace that has a simple style. Long necklaces will add visual interest to your top, but keeping them basic will prevent them from overpowering your look. Try wearing thin layered necklaces or a necklace with a Y-shape.

Buy real gemstones, not fake knock-offs. Real gemstones, like diamonds, give off a gorgeous sparkle that can be spotted from a mile away. Fake gems are dull and glassy and aren’t even worth wearing. If you can’t afford a real gemstone, why not buy Swarovski crystal? They’re gorgeous, too, and have their own special sparkle to share.

When purchasing high price jewelry, check with multiple stores and even online before buying. Comparison shopping is important because the price of jewelry can vary extensively from vendor to vendor. Comparison shopping also helps you to learn about the quality of the beautiful piece you’re hoping to purchase.

Create a solution of warm water and a few drops of dish-washing liquid and use it to soak your gold pieces. Scrubbing the piece with a soft toothbrush can help to remove any particulates that may be stuck to the jewelry. Cleaning your jewelry can keep it looking new for years.

When purchasing high price jewelry, check with multiple stores and even online before buying. Comparison shopping is important because the price of jewelry can vary extensively from vendor to vendor. Comparison shopping also helps you to learn about the quality of the beautiful piece you’re hoping to purchase.

Looking at jewelry you would like to buy, decide how unique you want it to be. If you are having trouble finding a piece that speaks to you, try hand crafted. Hand crafted jewelry is available in any form of style and options. People who usually struggle to find something they like, will love the uniqueness of handmade jewels.

If you have your jewelry insured, be sure to take good pictures of it. This will help when dealing with the insurance company in case something should happen to your jewelry. It can really help speed the process up and help you get through the insurance red tape. It also helps document what you have in case your home gets broken into.

Find your style in advance. Search an online jewelry store before you make your trip to the jeweler so that you know what you are looking for. Being able to tell the jeweler exactly what style you are looking for will make your trip quicker, as well as making it easier on both you and the salesperson.

If you have some fine jewelry or heirloom jewelry whose value you want to protect through insurance, it is wise to take excellent pictures of these pieces and to have an appraisal done by a professional. Make sure that the pictures you take are good, quality ones. Using a flash when taking these pictures will not lead to good pictures of your jewelry. It is best to capture a picture of your precious jewelry under soft, diffused fluorescent bulbs.

Using such methods, you can improve the entire experience of owning or giving jewelry. Every piece of jewelry matches someone’s particular tastes, and finding the right one for you requires no education. But when you learn a little about the non-aesthetic considerations, you can make your experiences of buying, giving and owning jewelry more economical and longer-lasting.

Find The Perfect Jewelry To Express Your Personality

Find The Perfect Jewelry To Express Your Personality

Many people,including both men and women, love to wear nice jewelry. But buying jewelry can be a tricky thing. How can you tell you’re buying a quality item and not a piece of over priced junk? This article will have some tips and tricks to help you learn the difference between quality and crap.

Save some of your most fragile jewelry for special occasions only. Some fragile stones like opal and peridot should only be worn for special events and then carefully stored until the next occasion. This may seem irritating since you want to be able to wear your best pieces, but it can prolong their life if you avoid exposing them to harm too often.

Some classic and very affordable types of jewelry that are available are pearls. These are very classic staples to any collection. They are also available in three types that include natural, imitation, and cultured. There are many colors and variations available such as classic white, pink, gold, black, etc.

Use a polishing cloth to keep your jewelry clean and free from damage. These cloths can replace the need for chemicals or solvents during the process. It’s easy, just use the dual-sided cloth to wipe down your jewelry, just as you would polish a beautiful glass. Use a two-sided cloth to clean your jewelry, one for polishing, and the other for shining.

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 you choose to make a jewelry purchase as a gift, do so from a store that allows you to make returns! You never know when someone just won’t like what you pick, and it’s a lot easier to take them with you when you return the piece to pick out something they like.

Get everything in writing. If the salesperson tells you that the gem has a warranty, or that it is on sale for a certain price next week, you want to have a record of that. Keeping a detailed written account of whatever information passed between you and the salesperson can help you be on top of any discrepancies that may appear later on.

Some classic and very affordable types of jewelry that are available are pearls. These are very classic staples to any collection. They are also available in three types that include natural, imitation, and cultured. There are many colors and variations available such as classic white, pink, gold, black, etc.

Save your broken beaded necklaces to give them new life. Do not let them fill a sacred box in your bedroom. Go in your bathroom and grab the dental floss. Use it to restring your necklace and it will likely last longer than the original string lasted on the piece.

If you choose to make and sell jewelry at craft bazaars or flea markets, take time to ensure that each piece has a clearly marked price tag that cannot be tampered with, yet can be removed without damaging the merchandise. Although nobody likes to think that theft can happen to them, it is best to protect your investment of time and money.

When making or gifting jewelry, make each piece even more meaningful by selecting stones, beads, and colors that communicate different emotions. Green gems like jade and emeralds represent growth and vitality, which makes them ideal gifts for expectant mothers, newlyweds, or perhaps friends who are especially active in eco-friendly lifestyles and initiatives.

Buying used jewelry can be a great way to expand your options without spending a lot of money. Look for estate sales or yard sales. Depending on where you live, prices may be lower than antique stores (which use the name “antique” to charge a bit more). Browsing in person can be a fun way to find things you might not have thought to go looking for.

Although it may seem obvious, never wear any type of jewelry when you are swimming. Not only is the water itself a bit difficult on the piece, but most swimming pools are treated with chemicals that will cause lasting damage to the piece, if it does not ruin it completely.

Be very careful with the types of beauty products that you wear near your fine jewelry. Some types of perfumes and even many lotions include ingredients that can damage your jewelry over time. Try to wear perfume in locations that won’t make contact with whatever you are wearing and you will be able to avoid this problem.

When you are trying to clean silver, the best thing you can do for it is to apply some toothpaste to it and let it sit for a while before wiping it off with a soft cloth. This helps dingy jewelry to shine and sparkle like it once did.

To make an outfit look more balanced, mix and match different kinds of jewelry. If you wear a statement necklace, you can pair it with some basic rings or bracelets. If you like to wear oversize rings, compliment them with a simple chain necklace. This will help to accentuate your more dramatic pieces and will keep your look from feeling like too much.

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 you walk into a jewelry shop you are immediately approached by a salesperson. Do not be afraid to ask for a second to talk to your partner about this important financial decision. Take a few steps away from the glass and discuss they options without the salesperson whispering in your ear. Make sure that it is the decision you want to make.

Making sure you’re buying quality jewelry isn’t always an easy task. But hopefully now that you’re armed with these pieces of advice, you’re confident you can pick out a quality piece for that special someone and not get ripped off. If you’re still not confident, check out some of the other articles out there, until your confidence grows.

How To Care For Your Jewelry At Home

How To Care For Your Jewelry At Home

As fun as planning to buy or sell your own jewelry may seem, you need to do some research to begin and to avoid losing a lot of money. Another thing is that you need to understand what to look for when you’re buying or selling. These tips below can help you start.

Do research on your fine stones, especially if you engage in regular activities that may chip or completely cause them to break into pieces. Not all stones are created equal. Some quartz, peridot, amethyst, to name a few, are among the most fragile stones and will require very gentle wear, care and storage.

IMPORTANT! Do not purchase any jewelry from retailers in China. This country is notorious for selling fake gemstone and metal jewelry.

You can easily create your own special charm bracelets. You can purchase blank charm bracelets at almost any jewelry store you can think of. The best part is putting on your own charms. Don’t be boring or bland by buying a pre-made charm bracelet. Display your private memories and personality with charms that mean something to you. Collect charms from different places you love to visit or take apart vintage pieces of mismatched jewelry that no longer serve a purpose. Making your own charm bracelet is not only a fun pastime, but also proves to be a fashion statement.

When choosing jewelry to wear to your wedding, decide first if you wish to buy it or rent it. Often the jewelry you wear as a bride isn’t necessarily something you’d wear again, so renting is an excellent choice and will get you a higher grade of item than you might be able to buy outright.

IMPORTANT! When trying to showcase jewelry, either for sales or for bragging rights, you need to take high-quality photographs of them. Nothing showcases their beauty like a great photo of the piece.

Know what you are looking for, when you first get to the store. If you are well-prepared for your visit to the jeweler, you will be less likely to make impulse purchases should the opportunity arise. Have a plan and stick to it, to make sure you stay in budget and on track.

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.

IMPORTANT! There are two types of categories that jewelry falls under. Fine jewelry is jewelry made from silver, gold or platinum and is combined with any precious or semi- precious gemstones.

Ask your salesperson how they recommend you clean your new purchases. Different gemstones require different care processes. Your salesperson is most likely the best person to tell you great care methods for your individual piece. Knowing these methods can greatly increase the lifespan of your jewelry pieces, and keep them looking new for much longer.

You do not have to spend a mint on your jewelry. Don’t underestimate a classy piece of costume jewelry as a perfect accent for your best outfit. There is a large variety of great stones that are inexpensive. If you keep your eyes open you can acquire gems at crystal prices.

IMPORTANT! When shopping for stone jewelry, you need to be educated on everything to look for. Your jeweler can help guide you on what and how to look at stones to make sure that you can distinguish bad from good quality.

While figuring out the best way to buy or sell jewelry was pretty exciting, you should feel better that you know how to do them better. You can now apply your newly acquired knowledge either to buying a new piece for yourself or selling more pieces you have to make more money.