Anyone who has ever had to navigate the endless number of jewelers and retailers, in search of the perfect piece of jewelry, can tell you how difficult it can be. Save yourself the hassle of making an unwise purchase by brushing up on these tips for shopping for jewelry.
If you have a large collection of fashion jewelry, make sure to only clean them with a damp cloth. Using polishing cloths or jewelry cleaning liquids will only eat away at the top layer causing the base metal to show through. After you are finished cleaning, keep your jewelry stored away to prevent any damage or tarnish.
One “old fashioned” piece of jewelry that you might want to reconsider wearing, is a watch. Younger people are used to using their cell phones or other electronics to tell time, but in certain situations, it may be more appropriate or more professional to wear a nice watch. You don’t want to be constantly checking your watch at a job interview or a formal event, but wearing one sends a certain message.
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.
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.
Make sure that you clean your jewelry on a regular basis. Although it may not seem important, when you don’t clean your jewelry, you are taking the risk of getting skin irritations. This is because dirty jewelry can hold bacteria and germs in it. Also, cleaning jewelery will make it look brand new, even if it’s old.
Try out the jewelery by wearing it for a period of time, like a day, so you can see whether it’s uncomfortable or doesn’t hang as well as you hoped. It will also allow you to see if it can withstand every day wear and tear.
When buying jewelry, pick jewelry that will go good with the majority of your wardrobe. If you spend hundreds of dollars on an amazing piece of jewelry, you will want to be wearing it any chance you get. Consider foregoing a more expensive piece in favor of one that you could wear more often.
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.
Taking care of jewelry is one of the most important aspects of owning fine pieces. This can seem very difficult, but with the proper information, it is very easy to maintain even the finest of pieces. Make sure that you are properly informed before attempting to clean or polish any pieces.
If your crystals have dirt in hard to reach places, you should soak your jewelry in warm water with mild detergent. Then you should use a toothbrush to carefully scrub your jewelry off. This process will safely get rid of dirt on the outside of your jewelry, without damaging your precious crystals.
When you decide to give someone a gift of jewelry, take a look at the jewelry they already own to see what their preferences are in color and metal. Many jewelry collections are tightly color-coordinated, so you should select stones to match an established scheme. Metal preference is even stronger, but easy to determine. Remember that very few people mix gold- and silver-toned metals.
Post pictures of you working in your studio if you are going to sell jewelry online. Many sites buy their pieces abroad and sell them at a higher price. If you do that, be honest and open about it. Using pictures of your studio will show people that you are really selling your work.
A busted clasp or tarnished chain does not necessarily spell the end of your favorite piece of jewelry. Look for ways to adapt pendants, beads, or accents into a new form. A sparkling, distinctive brooch can be threaded onto a delicate gold or silver chain, then worn as a necklace or bracelet.
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.
When buying jewelry for someone that you care about, be sure to consider getting a replacement or care plan if seems appropriate. This is important because this is almost like buying insurance for an item that may very well fall apart just from everyday use, even if it is of the utmost quality.
When you are looking to purchase any jewelry containing pearls, make sure that you understand the difference between pearls that are natural or cultured. Pearls are formed when a grain of sand gets inside the oyster’s shell and irritates the creature. The little critter inside coats this irritant (sand) with the same mucus that its shell is made from, creating the natural pearl. Natural pearls are rare and expensive to obtain, hence the human intervention of cultured pearls. Cultured pearls are made from oysters that are injected with sand to cause the irritation which creates the pearl. Make sure you understand these differences before laying down money for pearl jewelry.
Now that you have learned some of the best and brightest tips for finding the perfect necklace, brooch, or bracelet, you are sure to make more informed decisions regarding your next jewelry purchase. This advice is sure to help you put a smile on someone’s face as you give them the perfect gift, even if it’s a gift for yourself.
