When you’re going to purchase or sell any jewelry you’re going to need to learn a lot about it so you know what to do. This makes it difficult to know where to start.
Take a polishing cloth to each piece of jewelry in your collection. This is a very easy way to make them shine and not have to use any type of chemicals or solvents. Use the dual-sided cloth on your jewelry just as you would clean a glass. First use the polishing side, and finish with the other side to make it shine.
Try to avoid cleaning it with harsh chemicals like ammonia or turpentine. This can cause your stones to turn and dull in color, along with eating away any enamel on the pieces.
Precious Metal
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. Humidity quickly tarnishes both precious and non-precious metal. Precious metals can easily be polished, but non-precious metal needs a special polish.
When shopping for genuine sterling silver jewelry, you need both a discerning eye and a small magnet. By using the magnet you can quickly determine if the jewelry item is made of a cheaper metal and not sterling silver. Look for the hallmark stamped on the piece of jewelry to determine what percentage sterling silver it is. If your silver is not marked, it could be because it is not real!
When you are shopping for diamonds, there are ways to compare the stones. Start by finding what you like, and then begin comparing it with other pieces. Be aware that some dealers will use cheap tactics to make a diamond look better than it is.
Observe them and see what jewelry pieces the happen to be wearing, such as necklaces, earrings, or rings. Also take note of any metals or stones they seem to prefer. Just paying attention to what they wear now will make buying for them much easier than asking a salesperson.
Check to see if your jeweler offers an insurance policy before purchasing an item. That way, if something were to happen to your jewelry, you can easily bring it back to the jeweler who will fix or replace it. In some cases, insurance policies will cover lost, misplaced or stolen pieces.
Preventing tarnish will keep your jewelry look its best. If possible, remove your jewelry if you are around water. Many of the metals become tarnished, rusty or dull when they get exposed to the elements of water. Clear nail polish can be used to protect your jewelry if you apply a very thin coat of it on your pieces.
Costume Jewelry
Costume jewelry needs special care. Stones in costume jewelry are usually held in place with glue instead of a physical setting. Don’t submerge costume jewelry in water or clean it with harsh chemicals. To care for it best, wipe your jewelry with a damp, warm cloth and dry it with a different cloth. This keeps dirt from building up and making your jewelry look dull.
To maintain the shine and finish on your jewelry, do not put it on until you’ve done your hair and makeup. Putting jewelry on prior to applying makeup or hairspray allows gunk and grime from your beauty products to settle on the jewelry, leaving it dull and potentially harming the finish. This tip is especially important when it comes to earrings and necklaces.
Learning how to make informed decisions on the buying and selling of jewelry takes time and effort. This article has provided you with important techniques to ensure your success.