For thousands of years, people have used jewelry to adorn themselves, express powerful sentiments, and create a strong and memorable image for themselves. From the cheapest baubles to the most expensive and luxurious diamonds, gold, and jewels, a single piece of jewelry can make a major statement that cannot be avoided. These informative tips will leave you with a new appreciation of jewelry.
Try not put any of your jewelry on before applying your makeup. By putting your pieces on before doing this, you risk getting them covered in things like powders and deposits from your makeup. This then collects around gem settings and on metal causing them to turn and look cheap and old.
Try making your own jewelry pieces. It just takes some tools and some materials to get started. More specifically, there are many kinds of materials you can use. You can use wire, string, beads, yarn, thread, glass, stone, metal, etc. The only limitation is your hands and your imagination, so have fun with it.
When you’re considering a diamond purchase, plan on shopping around and making comparisons. Find a few reference pieces that you like, and see if other diamonds can do better. Be alert, since there are various ways to deceive consumers into thinking a diamond is better then it really is.
Essential to anyone buying jewelry for reclamation purposes is a pocket-sized gram and carat scale. While a scale can’t determine the purity of the gold and silver you encounter in your jewelry hunting, a pocket scale can at least give you a basic starting point to determine fair pricing and valuing of your jewelry finds.
Before you go to buy jewelry, it is important to view your options before you decide on exactly the style you want. If you make a rash decision, you may regret getting that certain piece in the long run. It is necessary for you to feel connected to the jewelry before you buy it, as it is a reflection of you!
Do not use ultrasonic cleaners and jewelry cleaning liquids on your precious and semi- precious gemstones. Most gemstones are easily damaged and their properties become corroded by the chemical properties in jewelry cleaning liquids. Ultrasonic cleaners can shake the gemstone settings apart and deteriorate the glue used to secure the gemstone in the setting.
Make sure that you have a silver polishing cloth on hand for your silver jewelry. All silver tarnishes, so a polishing cloth will help you quickly and easily, have your silver jewelry looking like new without having to deal with smelly, messy silver polish. You can buy a polishing cloth for about $5.
If you own costume jewelry, it is important to properly care for it. Costume jewelry is pricey and can retain its value in many cases, but pieces that are damaged aren’t worth much and aren’t worth the time to restore. An item in good condition holds its value better in the long run.
To avoid a tacky amount of jewelry keep to the rule of two. Two great pieces at a time is the most you should attempt in one outfit. Choose a bracelet and a necklace, a necklace and a ring, or ring and a bracelet. Keep it simple for maximum effect.
You can safely clean your jewelry at home. Mix a small amount of mild detergent in water. Allow your dirty jewelry to soak for several minutes and then gently scrub it with a soft toothbrush. Finish the cleaning by rinsing your jewelry in clean water and allowing it to air dry.
If you’re looking for a good piece of jewelry on a budget have you ever considered a pawn shop? Often times people in hard financial times pawn their jewelry, even brand new and in pristine condition. This affords you the opportunity to get a fine piece of jewelry at a fraction of the price!
When photographing jewelry to sell it on an auction site or post your newly purchased or gifted jewelry to a social media site, try to use as much natural or day lighting as possible. Using a tripod is also recommended as you will avoid blurring the picture. Jewelry is temperamental when trying to get a good picture because it typically reflects light in ways that will give you poor quality photographs.
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.
When considering jewelry for your wedding, be sure that you consider the option of renting the jewelry for yourself and/or your entire wedding party. This is important because you can save a lot of money and nobody in attendance will know either way. It is only important that you look your best.
When it comes to purchasing jewelry, it is advisable to purchase jewelry that you can wear with much of your clothing. This is important because buying jewelry in neutral colors will help you get the most wear out of it. This can also help you justify buying more expensive jewelry because you will wear it more often.
As if anyone really needed any more reason to admire and cherish gorgeous rings, necklaces, and bracelets, the tips you have just read are only a tiny sampling of the joys and pleasures associated with wearing, buying, and even making jewelry. With this information, you will find that each piece takes on a whole new meaning.
