Yes, it’s true and it can be quite unnerving and overwhelming, to start looking into buying or selling jewelry. This, of course, is because it involves thinking about losing money. Still, it’s important to know what information you need about jewelry to be better prepared to avoid scams. That’s what the tips below are for.
Only purchase jewelry from well known retailers. If you are looking to purchase gold, silver or platinum make sure that the retailer has a professional set up and that their products come with a guarantee. Do not purchase from unknown vendors who claim that the jewelry they are selling at a discount price is made from real precious metals or gemstones, they are often imported fakes.
Jewelry is something that can last generations. When choosing your next piece of jewelry, be sure to deal with a reputable dealer to ensure you attain a high-quality piece. A truly high-quality piece is one that is well-constructed and of superior workmanship. A reputable jeweler will be able to provide you with a full background of the piece, including where the stones are from and who made it. A quality item of jewelry will last a lifetime or more, so take the time to do your research.
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.
Clean your jewelry with warm water and mild soap, rinse it out, and then dry thoroughly. It also helps to polish the piece of jewelry with a soft cloth. Excess water remaining on jewelry in storage can tarnish precious metals, sometimes beyond repair. A soft cloth can also help to restore luster and shine to your jewelry while removing excess water from the piece.
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!
Clean your turquoise jewelry with warm water and a soft toothbrush. Never use chemicals on turquoise, as it is very susceptible to damage. Simply lightly scrubbing it and drying it with a soft dry cloth can keep your turquoise clean and undamaged, allowing it to last much longer than if you were to use any solutions.
If you have gold jewelry, you should try to avoid storing them in areas around diamonds and other hard gemstones. These hard stones can scratch or damage your gold. If you keep your gold away from hard jewelry, you can keep your gold looking better for longer.
Try to have the wedding band and engagement ring soldered at least a week before the wedding. This way your bride will not be stuck at the alter fussing around trying to fit the rings together. Getting this process done before the wedding will also make the pictures look great because you will have already had the rings polished as well.
Avoid spraying your perfume or hairspray after putting your pearls on. Instead, spray first and then put your jewelry on. Pearls are extremely porous and absorb chemicals found in things like hairspray and perfume very easily. Minimize the contact between your pearls and such chemicals to keep them beautiful.
If you are passionate about wearing and selling jewelry but lack the time or materials to make your own, many companies offer opportunities to sell their rings, necklaces, and bracelets in an Avon-inspired business arrangement. Authorized representatives, with marketing help from the parent company, build clientele and sell pieces for a percentage of the selling price.
If you want your jewelry to go with any outfit you’re wearing, be sure that you’re purchasing neutral-colored jewelry. Believe it or not, gold doesn’t go with everything, and the sparkle of diamonds may actually clash against some ensembles. Go neutral and keep it tame if you want wardrobe-friendly jewelry.
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.
Cabochons are a very popular format for jewelry pieces. The smooth, rounded edges place the focus on the beautiful color and translucence of the stones inside, and are convenient because they do not tend to catch on anything or snag. This makes them particularly well suited to children and teenagers.
One underrated but beautiful jewelry stone is Alexandrite. Depending upon the lighting levels, the stone may appear alternately green or purple. It is often found in earrings, rings, and pendants.
Store your jewelry carefully. Avoid jewelry boxes that just mash everything together. Each piece should be placed carefully on its own, since pieces touching one another could get scratched or etched. Keep sterling silver jewelry wrapped in special cloth that prevents tarnishing and always make sure they are put away dry, never wet.
See, it wasn’t nearly as bad as you thought it would be. There are a lot of people in the jewelry market that wish to take your money and leave you with something of low-quality or to try to buy what you’re selling for less. Do yourself a favor and follow these tips.
