It is a very bad idea to walk into a jewelry story with little idea of what you are looking for. There are quite a few things you will want to consider before making your decision on something so important. This article will provide you with the information you need to make smart decisions on jewelry purchases.
Consider buying a small barrel tumbler. If you wear a lot of jewelry or just want to keep the pieces you own in good condition, you probably clean it on a fairly regular basis. You might want to get a small barrel tumbler for polishing. They are inexpensive and do a thorough job.
The best tool for any jewelry hunter, whether searching for personal treasure or for the profit in reclaiming gold or silver, is a jeweler’s loupe. Jeweler’s loupes are small, but powerful magnifying instruments designed specially for use in examining jewelry at very close range. Some jeweler’s loupes also have a built-in, battery-powered light which can be very handy if examining pieces in a dimly lit area. Most jeweler’s loupes are extremely economical in cost and can help you make the most of your jewelry-buying dollar, especially when buying from second-hand sources.
To clean up a piece of vintage jewelry, use a window cleaner. Spray a small amount of the window cleaner on s soft, lint-free piece of cloth. Gently rub the cloth against the jewelry until it sparkles. Vintage jewelry is often found in poor condition, and using this cleaning method can make it look new.
To get use out of an earring after one half of a pair is lost, use it as a brooch. Many earrings can be worn just as a brooch can, and can make a great accent piece. Try pinning the earring to a scarf or attaching it to your top just below the collar bone. A more delicate earring is a great way to accent a purse or a belt.
Look for jewelry stores that are accredited members of the Gemological Institute of America, or GIA, as well as the Jewelers of America. You are assured the best quality at the lowest price by stores with these certifications. You will find these certifications held by most big chain type outfits.
Remove your jewelry when you are going to be using beauty products. Lotions, perfumes, hair sprays, and shaving creams will hurt your jewelry. It may just make your jewelry dirty, but it could also damage your jewels. If you forget once in a while, that should be okay. Don’t make a habit of it.
Water is typically enough to clean most types of jewelry and precious stones. Simply use a damp cloth and wipe off any kind of residue or dirt that is on the jewelry. If there are any more stubborn problems, you can use a very light cleaning detergent to remove these issues.
Comparison shopping is vital to the diamond-buying process. Every diamond is unique, and each will have some flaws. Some flaws may be less important to you once you actually see it in person. Jewelers can price their diamonds differently according to the flaws in the diamonds. It will pay to shop different jewelers while looking for the best diamond in your price range.
When you are looking to buy someone a gift, you may consider getting a jewelry set. Jewelry in sets comes with a discount at many jewelry stores. You can easily make that one purchase into two gifts for different occasions by breaking the set up and presenting it to them on the different days. It’s a good way to ascertain that you are never without a great gift to give a loved one.
A great tip that can help you maintain your jewelry is to take your ring off when you go to the gym to lift weights. Lifting weights with your ring on can do a lot of damage to your ring. You’ll constantly scrape it against the weights which will badly scratch it.
For nice, even beading on your handmade jewelry, make sure that you can’t see the thread from the previous stitch before moving on. This helps the thread to remain tight, providing tension among the crystal netting. You will end up with uniform beading in your jewelry if you follow this easy tip.
Make up your mind about the size, style, and price of your jewelry before entering the jewelry shop. The salespeople are professionals and they know how to push you into decisions in which you didn’t initially plan on making. After talking to a salesperson leave the shop and think over the decision before doing it.
If you own costume jewelry, proper care and cleaning is important to keep it looking great. Buy jewelry cleaner that is marked as safe for costume jewelry. Use a small, very soft toothbrush, and use it only for jewelry cleaning. Keep your jewelry clean and dry, dust-free, and away from any contaminants that might ruin it.
When you are into collecting various types of jewelry pieces, it is a good idea to take a journal and record the items that you have so that you can keep track of them. You also use the list as a reference guide if you are looking for a piece to add to your outfit for the day. Furthermore, such a list is useful should you ever need to make an insurance claim.
Consider choosing an engagement ring with stones set on each side of the diamond. With this type of a setting, you can cut the cost of your ring without losing that “wow” factor. The stones can be anything, from a birth stone to a favorite color. So, use your imagination!
In order to get what you are paying for, you need to know what you are looking for. This article has given you the valuable information you need to be a great jewelry shopper. It is up to you to implement the information to get what you are looking for.
