No matter why you are buying your jewelry, whether for yourself or as a gift, it is important to know the proper way to care for jewelry as well as buy and sell it responsibly. You will find some great suggestions to increase your understanding in these matters when you read this article.
Try cleaning your jewelry collection with a polishing cloth. This easy technique can make your jewelry bright and shiny without the use of harsh solvents and chemicals. Buff your jewelry with the two-sided cloth, just as if you were cleaning a glass. Use the polishing side first and, then the other side to make your jewelry shine.
Some precious metals and gems need to be kept away from moisture and humidity. It’s best to store it in a closed box, like a jewelry box, or a drawstring bag. Continued exposure to humidity extremes or air causes metals typically used in jewelry to tarnish. Polishing will work to restore the color and shine for precious metals, but with non-precious metals, polishing will not help the change in color.
Sterling Silver
When you go shopping for sterling silver jewelry pieces, take with you a magnet and a monocle. As a precious metal, silver should never be attracted to a magnet. Your sterling silver jewelery should always be imprinted if it is real. The stamp may read “.925” or “ster”. If there is no marking on the piece, it may not be sterling silver.
When you are purchasing a new piece of jewelry, be aware of the gemstone that it contains and what it is made of. Gemstones now come in natural as well as synthetic and imitation types. Imitation gems are made out of glass or plastic; natural and synthetic gems both consist of real gemstone. While natural gems come out of mines, synthetic ones come out of laboratories.
Always compare prices before purchasing any diamonds. View the piece you are currently considering closely and then compare it against some other pieces that are in the running. Keep an eye out for deceptive tricks to cause you to think a diamond is better than it actually is.
Wear the jewelry around for a day or so to be sure that it fits right and is comfortable. In this way, you will be able to tell if the item will withstand normal wear.
Always keep an eye on sales when you’re looking to acquire some new jewelry pieces. The right sale can save you a ton of money. Look for great deals in old-fashioned newspapers, on the Internet, and even at retail stores. If you buy fashion items at the end of their season, you can save up to 50%.
If you are looking to sell jewelry online, ensure that the photos you use make the piece look attractive. Visuals are particularly important because customers cannot physically see or touch jewelery when they buy online. Avoid taking photographs of jewelery with backgrounds that distract from the piece.
Jewelry that has been cared for properly retains its sentimental and economic value. Learn the proper ways to clean and store your jewelry. There is more to it than what you’ve read here, and continuing to learn can help you mazimize the wear and value of all your jewelry pieces for years to come.
