If you are completely new to the world of buying or selling jewelry, then you are probably thinking that some tips on what you need to know about jewelry will help you immensely. Listed below are some tips to help get you started with your jewelry buying or selling endeavors.
Costume jewelry is worth considering if you’re going to work and don’t wish to wear any jewelry that has a high value attached to it. Costume pieces of jewelry don’t contain any precious metals or gemstones, which makes them highly affordable and widely available. This type of jewelry does tend to tarnish over time and cannot be shined with a polishing cloth.
Buy dainty jewelry for slender women, and chunkier jewelry for a larger lady. If your wife is petite, then a tiny watch is appropriate. Buy the same watch for your six-foot tall spouse and it might not even fit on her wrist! Whatever you do, DON’T buy men’s jewelry for a woman! She’ll know the second she lays eyes on it and could be offended.
Check to see if your jeweler offers an insurance policy before purchasing an item. Many stores offer a policy where you can bring broken or damaged jewelry back to the original jeweler for repair at little to no cost. You can even find insurance on jewelry pieces that were stolen or misplaced.
The first step to a bridal outfit is the dress, and then everything else, including your jewelry, should be selected afterward. Your jewelry should not only match your dress, but highlight and color that is found in it. If you have sequins that shine opalescent pink, then highlight that with a rose topaz earring, for example.
When buying vintage jewelry, become familiar with the different time periods associated with each piece. A Victorian era piece may interest you more than one of a different era, so knowing the differences will help you be able to quickly spot the pieces you are most interested in purchasing, rather than spending lots of time browsing.
If you are giving jewelry as a gift, it is easy to make interesting and unique gift boxes that will leave an impact! You can find plain jewelry gift boxes at any craft and hobby store. After you have your plain gift box, head to the scrapbooking aisle and pick out some sticker packages that match the type of mood you want the gift box to convey. Decorating the plain box with these stickers gives it a nice decorative touch without breaking the bank.
To keep silver jewelry tarnish-free between wearings, wrap the item in a jeweler’s polishing cloth and then seal the piece, cloth and all, in a plastic bag. Polishing cloths come in many sizes and are very economical. The cloth provides padded protection to even the most delicate chains and the plastic bag keeps air, which causes tarnish, from touching the jewelry. When ready to wear, give the piece a rub with the cloth for shine and you’re set to go!
Purchasing a piece of jewelry is a rather hefty decision based upon the price tag of the item. When you are in the market for a piece of jewelry, take the time to figure out what you are looking for, the budget you are allowing yourself, and what overall quality you seek in the item.
If you are buying a piece of jewelry for a woman, be sure to take the time to make note of the style of jewelry she wears on a daily basis. Once you have a better idea of what her jewelry style is, you will be able to narrow down the styles and types of jewelry items and find one that will be sure to wow her.
When storing your jewelry, follow any specific advice which is provided by the manufacturer. Different gem stones have different sets of rules for safe storage. Try to keep your pieces of jewelry from touching each other while being stored, since this can lead to scratching each other. If a piece of jewelry has its own box or pouch, use it for better protection of your valuable assets.
When shopping for a ring, necklace, or bracelet, consult all available sources before making a purchase for your wife or girlfriend. Do not hesitate to consult her mother, sister, or best friend. They may be able to provide more detailed insight into her preferences regarding metal, gems, and details.
If your grandmother or someone else is passing down antique jewelry to you, refrain from having it cleaned. For antiques, it’s actually that old varnish, “the patina”, that makes the piece worth a lot of money. An old clean piece of jewelry is essentially worth whatever the market puts the jewels and metal at.
Store your earrings on a long piece of ribbon. Tie the ends of the ribbon to each end of your mirror and then tack the earrings to the ribbon, using the backs to keep them in place. This gives you easy access to your favorite pairs, and is also a decorative feature in your bedroom or bathroom.
When buying jewelry be sure and know what you want before you go into the shop. It is easy to go into the jewelry shop with one idea and walk out with a ring that you do not particularly like. Stick to your guns and walk out with the ring you always wanted!
As you can see from the above list of tips, buying or selling jewelry can be quite an adventure, as there is so much to learn about before starting either process. After following these tips, you will no longer be new to buying or selling jewelry, but you will become an a bit of a jewelry expert.
