Learn some tips that can help you become smarter about buying or selling jewelry. You can figure out everything you need to not fall for scamming “jewelers” and how to not lose money when trying to price and sell your jewelry pieces. It’s not so scary once you know the basics.
To add more personality to your look, choose jewelry in colors that contrast with the rest of your clothing. Not only will this give you a stylish and sophisticated look, but it will also make your entire outfit look more bold. Try looking for jewelry in shades of blue or striking metallic.
If you are truly in love with a piece of costume jewelry, even if it is in less than good condition, it is okay to spend the money on it. A piece that you will treasure is more of an investment than the monetary cost of an item, so splurging can be allowed.
Consider your setting when buying an engagement ring. Do not rush into the first or cheapest setting you are shown. Your setting is equally as important as the stone you are getting set into it. Consider if you want a classic, or modern style for your ring’s look and feel.
To avoid breaking the chain of your necklace, pair it with a pendant that matches it in weight. A thin necklace should only be worn with delicate charms, and heavy pendants should be saved for thick, durable chains that can handle the strain. This tip also applies to charm bracelets.
When you go to make a new jewelry purchase, you need to give yourself a strict budget. It can be extremely easy to overspend on an awesome piece of shiny jewelry. It will be a lot harder to enjoy later if you do not stick to your own budget goals.
If you can’t afford to pay consignment fees for your handmade jewelry, consider partnering with other small and local business owners or jewelers to hold a trunk sale, mini-bazaar, or retail showcase night to generate interest in the community. Small jewelers and crafters can benefit by bonding with one another instead of viewing each other as competitors. If you are very worried about this, only approach jewelers with dissimilar styles and fashions.
If your pierced ears are sensitive to metal posts, try painting them with clear nail polish. Sensitive ears can be itchy, painful and red. By applying a thin coating of clear nail polish, the metal is covered and no longer presents a problem. You may wear your favorite earrings in comfort!
When you want to store your fine jewelry, you should follow the instructions that were provided with your specific piece, and follow them exactly. Generally, you do not want pieces touching each other to keep them from scratching. It is best to store your jewelry in the box or pouch it came in.
When buying turquoise jewelry, make sure you’re getting the real thing. Some of the things you can check for are that the color is uniform throughout and that the stone tends more toward opaque than clear. Also, the presence of veins or splotches, ranging from white to black, are a good indication of a real turquoise rather than a fake one. Most important, buy from a reputable dealer and ask for written authentication of the value. Unfortunately, with all the enhancements done to fake turquoise stones, sometimes it’s hard to tell the real thing from an imitation.
When it comes to making the most out of currently owned jewelry, consider repairing pieces that you currently own instead of buying new ones. This is beneficial not only because you may save money but also because you will once again get to wear a piece of jewelry that you have a fondness for already.
Pay attention to the construction of a piece of jewelry. The more claws that hold a stone in place, the better. Clasps need to be easy to open, but not flimsy. If a clasp is very thin, it could come loose or break quite easily, causing you to lose your jewelry.
When you go shopping for a wedding ring, do not be afraid to try to get them to lower the price. Often if you ask, the jeweler will be happy to offer a free insurance plan or a companion ring at a discounted price, or maybe for free. Discuss these things with the salesperson, and often you will find they are happy to offer you deals to secure your business.
Professional jewelers and gemologists often rely on Sunshine Polishing Cloths to keep their metals, gems, and jewelry settings looking shiny and new. The cloths are available online and at most jewelry stores. These cloths are mild enough for even the most delicate rings, necklaces, and bracelets and are generally priced at only a few dollars each.
When you are shopping for a great piece of jewelry, skip the national chain and try the small jeweler on for size. A small jeweler will likely offer more personalized customer service. In addition, they are often open to negotiating on price, unlike the big guys. Ask your friends and neighbors if there is a small jeweler in town that they would recommend.
To help you find the best price on your jewelry purchases, you should know what you are buying. If you are buying gold jewelry, is it 10K, 14K, or other? If you are buying diamonds what is the size? the clarity? the cut? Knowing the specifics will enable you to make a like comparison between difference pieces of jewelry, and be a smart shopper.
As you can see, buying or selling jewelry isn’t nearly as difficult as it may appear. It just requires doing research, some legwork, asking questions, getting certificates and other related jewelry material. The work will pay off once you see how it can help you with your jewelry buying and selling goals.