With so many different retailers all offering the best deals and most beautiful jewelry, shopping for the perfect piece can be quite a challenge. Fortunately, this handpicked selection of tips and suggestions is sure to leave you more enlightened when it comes to finding the best rings, earrings, necklaces, and bracelets.
When trying to showcase jewelry, either for sales or for bragging rights, you need to take high-quality photographs of them. Nothing showcases their beauty like a great photo of the piece. Make sure that you use a good background and stick with darker colors; lighter colors take away from the jewelry’s shiny qualities.
Do not attempt to shine your silver or gold jewelry with toothpaste. It is simply an incorrect home remedy that many try to pass off as fact that it works. The chemicals in toothpaste will erode your jewelry causing the gemstones to permanently lose their luster. For only a few dollars you can buy a proper polishing cloth and jewelry shining liquid.
When shopping for diamonds, make sure that you shop for them based on their four main criteria: color, cut, clarity, and carat. The color refers to the hue of the stone. The cut refers to the way that the stone is fashioned, such as princess and square cuts. Clarity refers to the flawlessness of the stone. The carat refers to the weight of the stone.
The best tool for any jewelry hunter, whether searching for personal treasure or for the profit in reclaiming gold or silver, is a jeweler’s loupe. Jeweler’s loupes are small, but powerful magnifying instruments designed specially for use in examining jewelry at very close range. Some jeweler’s loupes also have a built-in, battery-powered light which can be very handy if examining pieces in a dimly lit area. Most jeweler’s loupes are extremely economical in cost and can help you make the most of your jewelry-buying dollar, especially when buying from second-hand sources.
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.
To make a patterned outfit really stand out, pair it with a neutral necklace. A neutral piece in a complimentary tone will anchor your ensemble and make you look more coordinated. Try choosing a piece that offsets your outfit in some way. For example, if you’re wearing a vintage floral top, a modern neutral necklace can give your look some balance.
When making jewelry and you want to turn a bead into a linked piece, take an eye pin and thread it through the bead’s hole. Let the bead slide to the bottom of the eye pin. Directly above the bead, use your pliers to bend the eye pin approximately 45 degrees. Using wire cutters, trim this to about half an inch in length. Using small round pliers, grasp the tip of the wire and start looping it around the pliers tip. Don’t give up if your eye pin loop is not directly round – practice makes perfect!
If you’re making your own earrings, go to a welding supply store to purchase aluminum wire. You can purchase the wire there in a spool, which is far less expensive than buying it in smaller quantities. Some aluminum wire is also hypoallergenic, making it the perfect choice for individuals with sensitive ears.
When giving a piece of jewelry to a significant other, a great tip to follow if you are not confident in your observation abilities is to ask friends or family members of your significant other their opinions as to what type of jewelry you should purchase. If you do this, you will have shown your significant other that you made a genuine effort to make the moment special.
Jewelry should never be cleaned with bleach. Bleach damages soldered joints and can eat away at finishes. Jewelry should not be worn in swimming pools for two reasons. Jewelry is easily lost in swimming pools and chlorine bleach is used in the water of pools. If cleaning with bleach, remove your jewelry or wear protective gloves.
Budget your jewelry purchases well in advance and stick to the price range you settle on. The jewelry store can be every bit as tempting as the candy shop, but you must resist the urge to splurge. Jewelry carries lots of memories and associations with it; you do not want to spoil a piece by spending so much that you regret the sight of it later.
If you plan on buying a piece of jewelry which is very expensive, choose one which you will enjoy for many years. Although more expensive jewelry is normally high quality, there are other factors to consider. A precious stone tiara may be a great addition to your New Year’s Eve outfit this year, but maybe an elegant diamond tennis bracelet will make you feel like a queen for years to come. Choose a piece that has classic lines and timeless style.
When buying jewelry for someone that you care about make sure that you are always aware of the exchange or return procedures. This is very important in case either the recipient does not like it or if something happens where you choose to not give it to them. Be sure that all terms are in writing.
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.
With the advice in this article, you should have no problem finding the best deals, the most reputable sellers, and the most gorgeous and valuable pieces of jewelry. Remember these tips and you are sure to come out on top with an amazing bauble that will undoubtedly wow its intended recipient.
