You may be in the market for a piece of fine jewelry for yourself, your mother, betrothed, or best friend. You may also find delight in a handmade piece made by that special someone. No doubt you value and want to care for what you have. This article will provide some tips and tricks to help you make the most it.
It is sometimes hard to stand out from the crowd or find a meaningful piece of jewelry. Jewelry stores usually sell the same type of designs that prove to be a bore after a while. Go bold and purchase handmade artisan jewelry instead. Handmade jewelry will always be a success due to its one-of-a-kind nature. You will never see anyone else wearing the same thing as you and you will also be supporting an artist instead of an import company relying on low wage labor.
Stay away from cheap glass jewelry. Borosilicate and lampwork glass jewelry are a new rage. Many styles of this type of jewelry are popping up in malls all over the country. However the products labeled as high quality lampwork glass are nothing more than cheap imported glass goods. Such glass products are usually not kiln annealed which means that there is a high chance that the product can shatter, cutting your skin while you’re wearing it. Purchase glass jewelry from local artisans or reliable vendors that you know are selling quality products. If it’s too cheap, you know it is too good to be true. Good glass costs anywhere from the low forty dollar range up into the hundreds.
When going shopping for diamonds, make sure to set yourself a budget and stick to it. The world of diamonds can seem overwhelming and the prices vary a great deal. By keeping a budget in mind, you can cut down the vast variety, to a much more sensible variety to choose from.
When buying jewelry on eBay, it helps to know exactly what you’re looking for. There can be thousands of listings for a single type of jewelry. Avoid frustration by knowing the style and color you want before you begin looking. Unlike a brick and mortar store, it can take hours to browse through everything online.
Do not purchase any jewelry online, unless it is from a dealer you know and trust. There are many scammers online who promise you an expensive and real piece of jewelry, when in reality, it is fake. If you are unsure if you can trust a dealer, you can check out his or her credentials online.
Know the jewelry terms. Understanding what cut, carat, color, and clarity mean can help you to make a quality purchase for the best price. A salesperson will be much more able to explain the differences in the stones you are interested in if you have a clear understanding of the terms.
When it comes to quality and price, don’t count synthetic gemstones out. These gems, which are created in a lab, appear remarkably similar to the real thing. Take this into consideration as you shop for your next piece of jewelry: Rather than spending exorbitant amounts of money for a natural stone, opt for an affordable synthetic stone. The money saved on the stone can go toward a more intricate or higher-quality metal, such as platinum.
When buying jewelry it is a good idea to personalize it. You can choose to have an engraving on the interior of the piece or on the backside of it. It should be a message that will mean something to the person who is receiving the jewelry so that they can look at the engraving and think of fond memories from the past.
If you are going to use a jewelry cleaning liquid on your jewelry, it is important that you first read the cleaning instructions very carefully. If you do not read the instructions carefully, you can end up destroying your jewelry. Make sure you follow the directions if you are going to use a jewelry cleaning solution.
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.
Jewelry makes a great gift – and an even better surprise gift! A little foresight will ensure that appealing jewelry can be presented without consulting with the recipient beforehand. Pieces selected with the receiver’s taste and sizing taken into account are best. Just in case, the jewelry giver should know exactly how a surprise gift can be resized or exchanged.
When it comes to taking care of your jewelry be sure that you remove it before going in the bathtub or shower. This is important because not only do you run the risk of losing it down the drain, but the cleaning materials used safely on your body may cause temporary or permanent damage to your jewelry.
Picking a good quality diamond is important when purchasing diamond jewelry. Ask to see the diamond under a jeweler’s loop or a diamond microscope. You should notice no visible flaws, fractures, cloudiness or black spots. Watch out for chips that are hidden under prongs as well.
Alright, now you are in business! Whether you are in the market for a piece of fine jewelry or find delight in something handmade, take care of it so that it lasts. Use the tips and tricks in the above article to help you enjoy your choices for a long time!
