The concept jewelry has is almost as stunning as physical jewelry is alone. Jewelry memorializes important and joyous occasions and pays tribute to relationships that matter to its owners and givers. You’ll be more successful at buying or selling jewelry if you learn more about jewelry in general, as well as the history and memories behind pieces you’d like to sell or acquire.
To keep your jewelry looking attractive, polish it regularly using a cloth made especially for this purpose. It will allow you to make your jewelry look as good as new without the use of chemicals. Simply use the two-sided polishing cloth to polish your jewelry the same way you would polish a glass. Use the side that is designated for polish, and the other to make it shine.
Do not use harsh chemicals such as ammonia, bleach, turpentine or acetone to clean them. These chemicals can wreak havoc on your jewelry, from discoloring bands, to dulling stones, to eroding enamel or glue.
Be careful on how you store all of your jewelry together. A better idea is to keep the pieces separate by using boxes, hooks, compartments or holders. Don’t just box all the pieces together in a pile. This not only harms the fragile pieces, but it can also cause items, such as necklaces, to get badly tangled up with the other pieces of jewelry.
If you are looking to purchase sterling silver jewelry make sure that you have a magnet with you and a good eye. Metals that aren’t precious will connect to the magnet, signaling that it is fake. You will always find a hallmark stamp such as “.925” or “STER.” on genuine sterling, or alternately, it might simply say, “STERLING”. If the piece is not hallmarked in any way, be leery of its authenticity because oftentimes it is a sign of a fake.
When you are shopping, think about the color or type of gem you want to buy. Gemstones come in three different varieties: natural, imitation and synthetic. Imitation gems are basically plastic that is colored, while synthetic and natural are real. Synthetic gems are grown in a lab, natural gems are dug out of the Earth.
Take the time to notice what kind of jewelry they already wear. For example, if they wear earrings, are they hoop or studs? Do they prefer white or yellow metals? Doing this will provide a good basis for where you should begin so that you can purchase a special piece for that special someone.
Wear jewelry for at least a day to see if it hangs correctly and is comfortable. Doing this also helps you see if the jewelery is long lasting or likely to break easily.
Consider stones when you are buying jewelry. The gemstone you choose should work with your skin tone and suit your personality. Colors should be neutral so that they go with most of your outfits. Having a beautiful piece of jewelry is pretty worthless if you cannot wear it.
Buy jewelry on sale whenever possible. Jewelry sales offer big savings. Check ads in the newspaper, on the Internet, and in stores for the best deals. Sometimes, buying fashions that are out of style can save you more than half of their original price.
Buying and selling jewelry can be an investment that is priceless and filled with positive memories. It doesn’t matter whether jewelry reminds you of good times you’ve had or hope for the future. All jewelry encompasses human emotion in some form.