It is a shame when someone saves money for years in order to buy the perfect jewelry and the pieces that they are sold are not genuine. Use these handy tips to make sure that the jewelry that you intend to buy is the same jewelry that you bring home.
Sterling silver jewelry makes a great investment. Pieces of jewelry made from sterling silver last for a lifetime and provide endless elegance. Sterling does tarnish, but can be quickly shined up using a polishing cloth. However, pieces of sterling silver jewelry that have specialty coating can last ages without tarnishing.
When storing your jewelry, be sure that you store it in a place with low humidity and free of open air. A box designed especially for jewelry gives the best protection, but a cloth bag can also work. When non-precious and precious metals are expose to air and humidity, they tend to tarnish. You can restore the precious metals back to their former glory, but plated jewelry is different. Trying to polish those pieces can reveal the non-precious metals underneath, such as copper.
Some classic and very affordable types of jewelry that are available are pearls. These are very classic staples to any collection. They are also available in three types that include natural, imitation, and cultured. There are many colors and variations available such as classic white, pink, gold, black, etc.
When storing your fine jewelry in a chest or case, wrap each piece in a small piece of velvet cloth. That way harder gemstones will not scratch softer gemstones and metals. It also helps pieces not get tangled with themselves and the velvet helps to keep the pieces safe from excess moisture.
Sites like Etsy have a wide selection of handmade jewelry. You can find many unique, one of a kind pieces, but be careful. Some sellers may use pendants or other findings that can be widely purchased in bulk or from craft stores. Read reviews or search for similar items to make sure you’re getting the best value.
If you’re trying to buy a diamond on a budget, look for one that has slight inclusions and is a less than perfect color of white. Often times, you cannot even see the inclusions and “off” color with the naked eye, but it can save you hundreds or thousands on the price of the stone.
When giving a piece of jewelry to a significant other, an important tip to keep in mind is to remember that timing is critical. Besides giving the wrong gift for the wrong reason, you also want to avoid giving the right gift at the wrong time. The basic rule is that the more elaborate the gift is, the more extravagant the moment should be.
When selling a piece of jewelry online, you should make certain that you include size and lengths information. This is extra important with an online transaction because the customer can not physically see the jewelry. For example, if you are making jewelry pieces that are wire-wrapped, then you should include photos to assure your customers that the pieces are smoothly finished. Therefore, the sweater won’t be poked by a sharp wire.
If you plan to make and sell your own jewelry as a quick way of generating extra income on the side, opt to focus on pieces that you can quickly make without sacrificing quality or style. This ensures that you are adequately compensated for your time and efforts used to create the piece.
This is not as tricky as it may seem, and you do not have to be afraid that every jeweler is out there trying to prey on you. Just keep all of this advice in mind while you are searching for your jewelry and you should be absolutely fine.
