Purchasing an expensive, and special piece of jewelry, can be a thrilling experience, but may cause you some stress. There are many different types of materials used to make jewelry, and they are all worth varying amounts of money. Shoppers who don’t know the jewelry industry well often end up spending more than is necessary. This article contains some great tips to help you make a wise jewelry purchase.
Polish your jewelry regularly with a jeweler’s polishing cloth. This will give your jewelry shine and luster without the use of potentially harmful chemicals. Use the dual-sided cloth to gently buff your jewelry as you would a delicate glass. Use the one side designated for polish, and the other for making it shine.
For example, you should never use bleach, turpentine, or ammonia on your jewelry. These chemicals can turn stones dull and even erode the enamel.
The metals in jewelry can tarnish if exposed to humid air, so you will want to store them in a way that protects them. A box designed especially for jewelry gives the best protection, but a cloth bag can also work. Humid air affects the metals in jewelry and causes tarnishing. It is possible to restore precious metals to their previous state, but it’s better to avoid damaging them in the first place.
Bring a magnet when shopping for sterling silver jewelery. Magnets attract non-precious metals, and you can use this fact to detect fakes. Look for the hallmark stamped on the piece of jewelry to determine what percentage sterling silver it is. If you don’t see such a mark, you might want to reconsider the purchase. This is usually an indication that the piece is fake.
Always be aware of the type of stone you’re buying when dealing with gems. Natural gems and imitation gems have been joined recently by synthetic gems, making three main categories. Natural and synthetic gemstones are both actual gemstones, while an imitation gemstone is just a plastic mold made to look like a gemstone. While natural gems come out of mines, synthetic ones come out of laboratories.
Before purchasing a new pieces, look at the latest jewelry trends. Getting a nice piece of jewelry is good, but getting it at a discount is even better.
If you want to start a costume jewelry collection, it is important to be aware of the pieces’ condition. Costume jewelry can prove to be a good investment, but worn, broken, or otherwise damaged pieces are not worth the expense. An item in good condition holds its value better in the long run.
When deciding on which jewelry pieces to buy, look through the sales advertisements. The right sale can save you a ton of money. Check for the best sales in the paper, online, and in store windows. Sometimes, buying fashions that are out of style can save you more than half of their original price.
You should have a better understanding of what a good jewelery purchase is. Make sure you follow these tips next time you need jewelery. Having accurate, up-to-date information could end up saving you a lot of money.