Whether you buy jewelry for yourself or loved ones, get it as a gift or receive valuable heirloom pieces, you need to know how to buy, sell and care for jewelry responsibly. You will find some great suggestions to increase your understanding in these matters when you read this article.
Store your jewelry collection carefully. Consider delegating each piece to its own resting place, utilizing compartmental boxes and storage units. Throwing the jewelry together into the jewelry box is a no-no. This can damage fragile jewelry, and make it difficult to find the necklace you want because it’s tangled with other pieces.
Your jewlery needs to be kept in a place where it is protected from air and humidity. To protect your jewelry it is important to secure it in a small bag with a drawstring, or in a jewelry box that remains closed a majority of the time. Both air and humidity can lead to tarnished metal. Precious metals can easily be polished, but non-precious metal needs a special polish.
Sterling Silver
If you are shopping for sterling silver jewelry, you’ll need a magnet and an eye for the real thing. Metals that aren’t precious will connect to the magnet, signaling that it is fake. Sterling silver will always be hallmarked with a stamp such as .925, ster. or sterling. If there is no hallmark, watch its authenticity since it may be fake.
Make sure you know what kind of gem you are getting when you are buying jewelry. There are three unique types of stones: imitation, synthetic and natural. Natural and synthetic gems are real stones, but imitation is just plastic colored to look like the real thing. Natural gems are those that are actually from the earth, whereas synthetic ones are made in labs.
Take note of whether they wear hoop earrings or studs, yellow gold or white gold, an ankle bracelet, etc. This should give you a grasp of their tastes, and some ideas about what to buy for them.
If you want to collect costume jewelry, concentrate on getting quality peices. Costume jewelry make good investments and they can be costly, but an item that shows major signs of usage will be a poor investment of your time and money. You’ll get more return on your investment later if you buy costume jewelry in good condition.
A diamond’s cut and clarity may be more attractive than its size. The intended recipient’s personality should play a role in diamond selection, too.
Both types of saunas, dry and steam, should be avoided when wearing jewelry. The high temperatures and damp environment can corrode the surface of your jewelry and cause long-term damage to the piece.
Single Piece
Think about getting a set of jewelry rather than a single piece. Jewelry in sets comes with a discount at many jewelry stores. Consider splitting apart the set and giving your loved one a single piece at a time. You will always have presents ready for your loved ones, even if you did not plan in advance.
Get some robe hooks to display your necklaces and keep them from getting tangled up. With the right space, you can incorporate a row of these and use them for organizing and hanging necklaces easily. This little display looks appealing and keeps chains from tangling at the same time.
Jewelry with onyx or crystal can make an impact and separate you from the crowd. You don’t need to completely empty your wallet on a new jewelry piece to be pleased with the results.
Remember to combine large and very ornate jewelry with simple outfits. Allow it to stand out on its own against the backdrop of a dark, patternless dress or blouse.
As you approach the very personal decision to invest in jewelry, take special care to make purchases that fall within your current budget. Buying expensive jewelry and incurring debt just so you can wear the jewelry occasionally isn’t a smart financial decision. A young couple just starting out may need to buy a less expensive ring and upgrade later. You can always add to the ring when finances are better or add a nice ring guard as an anniversary present.
Jewelry is extremely valuable, economically and sentimentally. When you protect your jewelry you help protect both your investment and your memories. Continue learning about jewelry care, and you’ll never have to retire another piece.