Jewelry is very personal. Every one has their own thoughts and preferences when it comes to what they buy and wear. There are still some general rules of thumb, though, that can help you when it comes to choosing jewelry. Here are a few tips to help you on your way.
When shopping for diamonds, make sure that you shop for them based on their four main criteria: color, cut, clarity, and carat. The color refers to the hue of the stone. The cut refers to the way that the stone is fashioned, such as princess and square cuts. Clarity refers to the flawlessness of the stone. The carat refers to the weight of the stone.
The best tool for any jewelry hunter, whether searching for personal treasure or for the profit in reclaiming gold or silver, is a jeweler’s loupe. Jeweler’s loupes are small, but powerful magnifying instruments designed specially for use in examining jewelry at very close range. Some jeweler’s loupes also have a built-in, battery-powered light which can be very handy if examining pieces in a dimly lit area. Most jeweler’s loupes are extremely economical in cost and can help you make the most of your jewelry-buying dollar, especially when buying from second-hand sources.
Use a toothbrush and small bit of toothpaste to clean your precious gems. This works really well on diamonds. The toothpaste is a non-abrasive scrubber and the toothbrush is small enough to get into those little nooks and crannies. This method is safe to use as often as you like.
It is becoming more and more popular to purchase expensive jewelry online. Before you do, however, be sure to check out the business you’ll be purchasing with at the Better Business Bureau. When you’re making a big ticket purchase, such as an expensive piece of jewelry, you need to know that the company you’re purchasing from is reputable. You want to make sure that they will send you a quality product and back it up with customer service too.
Repurpose your jewelry to get the most wears out of each piece. Wrap a necklace around your wrist to fashion a new bracelet. Slip a pair of clip-on earrings onto a pair of pumps as shoe clips, and add a bit of sparkle to plain heels. Attach a pin or brooch to a necklace and update its look.
If you are considering the purchase of jewelry for a loved one you should first determine if they prefer silver, gold or platinum. Just about everyone has preferences when it comes to their jewelry and if you get them gold when they really like silver they may never wear it. That means that you will have wasted a lot of money on a gift that they do not like.
Keep a silver polishing cloth handy so you can quickly wipe down your jewelry before you put it on. Frequently polishing your jewelry will not only make it look great but it will also keep it from tarnishing as quickly. Keep your jewelry looking pristine when you use a polishing cloth frequently.
Purchasing jewelry can be expensive. You don’t want to spend a lot of money on something that you are not totally in love with. Spend the time and do the research to find something that you will truly enjoy for many years to come. Waiting for the right piece to come along will make you very happy when you finally get it.
In jewelry, what works for your neighbor may not work for you. You have to truly get a feel for what you want and what you can afford. Learning more about jewelry is a great first step into obtaining the types of pieces that will fit in your world. Hopefully, you feel a little more confident now, to go out and buy some baubles.
