With so many different retailers all offering the best deals and most beautiful jewelry, shopping for the perfect piece can be quite a challenge. Fortunately, this handpicked selection of tips and suggestions is sure to leave you more enlightened when it comes to finding the best rings, earrings, necklaces, and bracelets.
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.
Many people see jewelry labeled as sterling silver plated and oftentimes think they’ve hit the jackpot when they purchase it at a very low price. In this case unfortunately, you do get what you pay for. This type of jewelry only contains a very thin coating of sterling silver on top of a cheap metal which can usually be identified as copper. The jewelry will eventually tarnish and cause the copper to show through underneath with enough wear.
Make sure to get rings sized properly so that they will fit you or someone who you are giving the ring to. Either go to a professional or use the string trick. You don’t want to play guessing games and end up having to return it several times to get it right. The ring should feel snug, but not too tight or two loose. Also, take into account, daily water weight fluctuation if you are measuring a finger yourself.
The world of body piercing has taken body jewelry to new heights. Many people like the feeling of having their tongues pierced, but having metal jewelry in your mouth can be damaging to your teeth. There are many colorful options available for plastic tongue jewelry that is safer for your mouth and won’t make your dentist cringe.
If you’re trying to buy a diamond on a budget, look for one that has slight inclusions and is a less than perfect color of white. Often times, you cannot even see the inclusions and “off” color with the naked eye, but it can save you hundreds or thousands on the price of the stone.
Feel comfortable in your jewelry venue of choice. If you feel that the seller may be trying to get you to buy a piece you are not interested in, walk away. Some jewelers are paid on commission, so the more they sell you, the better they are paid. Take this into consideration when choosing a jeweler.
If your pierced ears are sensitive to metal posts, try painting them with clear nail polish. Sensitive ears can be itchy, painful and red. By applying a thin coating of clear nail polish, the metal is covered and no longer presents a problem. You may wear your favorite earrings in comfort!
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.
Be sure to get your higher-end jewelry insured. You really never know what could happen and when. You can lose a gem because the prong gets weak or someone can just steal it. By getting it insured, you will have it protected and be able to replace it if something does happen.
When purchasing jewelry, have a friend or family member go with you. They can assist you as you are selecting a piece of jewelry, and they can also remind you of important details that you may have forgotten, like the ring size or favorite gemstone of the person you are buying for. A companion can also keep you from getting overwhelmed as you shop.
If you wear fashion jewelry, you should take special care when cleaning it. Since jeweler’s cement is often utilized in the manufacturing of fashion jewelry, soaking it in jewelry cleaning products or warm water could result in damaging a piece of this jewelry. The best way to clean fashion jewelry is to wipe it with a damp cloth and then pat dry with a soft, clean cloth.
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.
When you purchase your diamond engagement ring, see if you can get a Botswana diamond. Botswana produces wonderful diamonds under safe and fair conditions, and the money that the diamond industry earns is invested in their country to provide good education, roads, waterworks and other things that the people of Botswana need. A Botswana diamond is an investment in good Karma!
Moonstones make a great, easy to care for alternative to more delicate, multicolored stones like opal. The play of color is just as gorgeous, though the background color tends to be very pale white, grey or blue. However, you do not have to worry about the stone cracking from dehydration.
When shopping for jewelry, keep in mind the “cost per use” factor. If you will only wear those gorgeous, dangly diamond earrings a handful of times, calculate how much money you are paying for each time you wear them. Pieces that you wear daily — like your wedding ring — are worth spending more money on, because your cost per use will be lower, and they will see more wear and tear.
With the advice in this article, you should have no problem finding the best deals, the most reputable sellers, and the most gorgeous and valuable pieces of jewelry. Remember these tips and you are sure to come out on top with an amazing bauble that will undoubtedly wow its intended recipient.
