From earrings to bangle bracelets, gold rings to silver pendants, jewelry comes in many shapes and sizes. There is more to know about each piece than just what color it is and how it fits. You must also pick an item that is of a quality that will last and then you must care for it. Here are some tips and tricks to help you to have a great jewelry collection.
Make sure to regularly polish your metal jewelry. Over time it begins to collect dirt, oil and dust and that affects its sheen and overall appearance. This makes the jewelry look worn and old. Go ahead and refresh those pieces using some simple polish to make them look like brand new again.
Like with any important purchase, make sure that you are purchasing your jewelry from an experienced jeweler, one who has a solid reputation. You need one that you can trust and who can help you find what you need. They need to be friendly too, and not just another salesperson pushing what they think you should buy. It may even be wise to spend a little more in an established store, than to risk buying what seems to be the same item from someone spurious.
When you are going in with a mindset to buy quality jewelry it is of utmost importance that you are going to a reputable dealer of jewelry. Otherwise, you may in fact be duped and pay a lot for something that is not worth much. Make sure that the sales representatives can show they quality of the item.
Men are very picky about the jewelry they wear, especially when they are gifted some that may seem feminine. When selecting jewelry for a man, make sure it something that goes with the way that they dress. Also, when selecting what you will get for him make sure that it is subtle and not flashy.
Don’t discard your antique broach from Grandma, re-purpose it. If you put a chain through it, the broach instantly becomes a fashionable necklace. Vintage jewelry is extremely popular these days and finding a way to make it wearable makes it fashionable. Re-using is also a popular concept in our “green” society. That broach can serve you well with just a slight alteration to its use.
To open a jump link when making chain jewelry, hold the jump link steady with pliers your left hand, and grip the opposite side of the opening with pliers in your right. Gently twist your hands towards each other. This twisting action helps the jump ring maintain its circular shape without distortion, which will occur if you try to push the sides together without twisting.
To best protect the investment you made in your jewelry purchase, take care of it. Do not wear it when you do something like cleaning your house. If you do this, the chemicals you expose your jewelry to could harm the precious metals and stones. It’s likely worth the minute that it takes to remove it.
If you can’t afford to pay consignment fees for your handmade jewelry, consider partnering with other small and local business owners or jewelers to hold a trunk sale, mini-bazaar, or retail showcase night to generate interest in the community. Small jewelers and crafters can benefit by bonding with one another instead of viewing each other as competitors. If you are very worried about this, only approach jewelers with dissimilar styles and fashions.
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!
To convey a sense of physical prowess, energy, passion, and love, look for pieces that incorporate deep red stones like rubies and red garnets. Red is an especially powerful color that is best suited to bold rings and necklaces that allow the stone to take center stage. Rubies are also popularly known as the birthstone for the month of July.
When buying jewelry it is important to remember that you can finance it. There are a lot of jewelry stores who offer in house financing for their customers. That means that you could get a loved one jewelry that they have always dreamed of and pay for it over an extended period of time. Financing helps to make gift giving a little bit easier.
In order to keep your jewelry at its best, remove your jewelry before doing house cleaning, going swimming, performing personal care such as using lotion and bathing, or before exposing yourself to extreme heat or cold. The metal in your jewelry can tarnish or even crack if it is exposed to harsh chemicals such as chlorine, or if it is rapidly heated and cooled.
If you are going to sell jewelry online, make sure you describe your products with a lot of details. Add as many pictures as possible, but do not use pictures to replace a good text. Be very careful of the vocabulary you use, especially when it comes to materials and colors.
If your jewelry-buying goals get ambitious and you are dead set on a piece, a little outside of your price range, always economize by selecting lower-karat gold, instead of getting plated pieces. Plated jewelry may look superior to impure gold, but its beauty is too fragile and short-lived. Once a plated piece begins to deteriorate, nothing can be done to salvage it.
Learning about jewelry is an important part of ownership, so take pride in the fact that you are seeking knowledge to better yourself. It will allow you to have gorgeous pieces, which will stand the test of time, allowing you to adorn yourself with only the best. A diamond IS forever!
