Purchasing a pricey piece of jewelry can prove to be stressful. Each piece’s price depends on the materials it is made out of. For example, a perfect diamond set into a pure gold ring will be far more expensive than a fake diamond setting in a gold-tinted ring, made out of cheap metal. Shoppers who don’t know the jewelry industry well often end up spending more than is necessary. Use this advice to make the most of your next jewelry purchase.
Don’t use harsh chemicals like turpentine or bleach to clean jewelry. These chemicals can turn stones dull and even erode the enamel.
Take a moment to consider how your valuable jewelry is stored and sorted. Consider delegating each piece to its own resting place, utilizing compartmental boxes and storage units. You should never simply throw your jewelry into a box in a messy pile. Not only will your necklaces become hopelessly tangled, you risk harming any fragile pieces as they bump and scrape against each other as you search the box.
Precious Metals
Some precious metals and gems need to be kept away from moisture and humidity. Keep them stored safely in a closed, dark area, like a jewelry box or drawstring bag. Metals will become tarnished when exposed to air and humidity. Tarnish can be removed from precious metals like gold and silver, but they cannot be removed from other metals.
To distinguish between real and fake, bring a magnet when you shop for sterling silver jewelry. As a precious metal, silver should never be attracted to a magnet. True sterling sliver always has some sort of hallmark stamp on it, such as .925, sterling or ster. If you don’t see such a mark, you might want to reconsider the purchase. This is usually an indication that the piece is fake.
Jewelry should last for years to come. Go to a dealer you can trust to make sure you get a quality item at a fair price. You can tell when jewelry is of high quality, due to the excellent craftsmanship. The person selling the piece should know its history, including who made it and the source of the stones. A quality item of jewelry will last a lifetime or more, so take the time to do your research.
When you buy a piece of jewelery, inquire about the jeweler’s insurance policy. Then, if something actually happens to the jewelry, you can return it or have it repaired. In some instances, you can even insure your jewelry against loss or theft.
To help maintain its appearance, take good care of it to keep it from getting tarnished. Do not wear jewelery around water. Water can cause some metals to lose their luster or to become tarnished or rusty. Painting a thin layer of clear-colored nail polish on your metal jewelry can add a protective barrier to it.
You should wear the jewelry for a few days to see how it feels and if it is comfortable. You’ll also be able to get a better idea of the piece’s durability.
Costume Jewelry
You will need to take special care when you are buying costume jewelery! Many costume jewelry pieces are glued rather than set. Don’t immerse costume jewelry in water, and never wash costume jewelery pieces with harsh chemicals. To properly care for it you need to use a cloth dampened with warm water. After wiping make sure to use another cloth to thoroughly dry it. This will clean off any residue and make it look like new, without damaging it.
Now that you have read this, you will know how to purchase all types of jewelry wisely. Not only are you going to save yourself some time, but you also are going to save quite a few dollars by following the tips and tricks in this article.