Jewelry making is fun, creative, and can also prove to be a great source of income. Getting started can be a daunting task. What supplies should you buy? What tools do you need? In this article, we will discuss some of the best jewelry-making tips, as offered by the pros, to help you get your hobby or business underway.
Save some of your most fragile jewelry for special occasions only. Some fragile stones like opal and peridot should only be worn for special events and then carefully stored until the next occasion. This may seem irritating since you want to be able to wear your best pieces, but it can prolong their life if you avoid exposing them to harm too often.
If you are shopping for sterling silver jewelry, you’ll need a magnet and an eye for the real thing. When you do this, you become able to find fake pieces of any type of sterling jewelry. You can use the magnet because non-precious metals actually are attracted by magnets. Sterling silver should always bear a stamp that says Sterling, Ster. or .925. If you cannot find a stamp, you might be looking at a cheap imitation.
Finding the right piece of jewelry to wear for a special occasion can be a hard task. If wearing your hair in an up-do, a pair of dangling earrings may look nice. Whereas if you are wearing a dress with a “busy” pattern, a simple necklace and studded earrings might be more appropriate. Base your jewelry off of your outfit and what will complement it, and you will be sure to find the right piece for that special occasion.
When you want to get diamond jewelry it is important that you know the quality of the stone you are trying to buy. Any qualified or knowledgeable jeweler will be able show you the quality of the diamond you are buying. From there, the prices are explainable; the higher the quality of the diamond the more expensive.
To make create a simple, feminine look, try layering thin necklaces. The delicate appearance of a thin chain necklace can soften your look and draw attention to your face. When layering necklaces, it’s best to make each layer a different length, but to only wear necklaces with a very similar style.
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.
Avoid letting your jewelry come into contact with chemicals, such as those found in hairspray, lotion, perfume and other products. Some chemicals can stain or otherwise damage precious metals and stones. Porous stones like pearls, opal or turquoise should not be submersed in water for long, either, to prevent damage.
Have your jewelry be the last thing you put on and the first thing you take off, when undressing and bathing. This helps limit potential damage to your jewelry from everyday activities, and also helps remind you to put it away so that it doesn’t get misplaced. The less time you wear your jewelry, the less chance it has of becoming damaged.
Jewelry making can be fun and creative. It’s something that is both enjoyable, and can be profitable. In this article, we have discussed some of the top tips, as offered by the pros. Use them wisely to help get your hobby underway, or to start that lucrative business that is all your own.
