From spicing up your look to signifying status, jewelry has always been interesting to humans. Precious metals dug from the earth and even mesmerizing pearls found under the water have been a fascination to humans for a long time. There is jewelry for different occasions and in different price ranges. It can cost from a few dollars to millions of dollars, so there is sure to be some kind of jewelry for everyone out there.
Buy real gemstones, not fake knock-offs. Real gemstones, like diamonds, give off a gorgeous sparkle that can be spotted from a mile away. Fake gems are dull and glassy and aren’t even worth wearing. If you can’t afford a real gemstone, why not buy Swarovski crystal? They’re gorgeous, too, and have their own special sparkle to share.
When you’re choosing a piece of jewelry to wear, think about what you like on other people, and what they like on you. Think about particular pieces that you’ve received compliments on, especially from strangers. It also helps to think about what you’ve complimented on others. If you find yourself telling others how much you like certain pieces, remember what those are when you’re out shopping for jewelry for yourself.
Part of selecting your wedding jewelry should be taking into consideration when you’re getting married. Sparkly jewelry, like dangling diamonds, look best when light is coming from all directions, as it would in a night ceremony or reception. Daytime weddings, especially outdoors, tend not to highlight this kind of jewelry as well.
Repurpose your jewelry to get the most wears out of each piece. Wrap a necklace around your wrist to fashion a new bracelet. Slip a pair of clip-on earrings onto a pair of pumps as shoe clips, and add a bit of sparkle to plain heels. Attach a pin or brooch to a necklace and update its look.
To keep your clothing the focus when wearing jewelry, choose modest gemstone pieces. A simple gemstone ring or necklace will add sparkle and visual interest to your look, but will not overpower the rest of your outfit. It is best to wear at least 2 pieces of jewelry that have a similar visual look.
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 you purchase jewelry to give as a gift, make sure you select pieces that are appropriate to the relationship you have to the recipient. The cost, style and material of gift jewelry all say a lot about the way the giver feels about the receiver. Be sure that your gift does not imply a relationship that does not exist.
Always store your pearls flat, and in a silk pouch. Pearls scratch very easily and so, soft silk is the safest material to store them in. Hanging pearls is a bad option because it can stretch the knotted string over time and ruin your precious investment.
When selling jewelry online, you should aim to give your customers custom work that makes them feel like your piece of jewelry was created just for them. This makes your customers much more likely to purchase a piece of jewelry from you because your jewelry will have a personal connection with them.
Clean gold properly. Even though gold has an advantage because it doesn’t tarnish or rust, it still needs cleaning. Harsh chemical cleaners will strip away any shine or luster, so only use a soft wet cloth for cleaning. If there are hard to reach areas, you can use a soft-bristled toothbrush dipped in warm soapy water.
When buying jewelry for someone that you care about, make sure that the type of jewelry that you get them fits the type of relationship you are in. This is important because, often times, the recipient will view the gift as a physical form of expressing the intentions that they have.
If you want to save money when buying jewelry, avoid the big names. These jewelers pay big bucks to market their names and pass that cost on to the consumer. You can often find high quality jewelry that does not have the “big name” attached to it for a fraction of the cost.
If you want to shop for jewelry, consider selling some. Take anything you don’t wear regularly to a pawn shop or other establishment and have it looked it. Some of the pieces might actually be worth far more than you think given the prices of gold and silver. Also, having a salesperson quote prices will quickly cause emotional reactions you can use to gauge whether or not you really want to keep certain pieces. Sell the ones you are comfortable with, or trade. Keep the ones you want with increased awareness of their value, both to you and financially.
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.
Once you realize the impact jewelry has not only on feeling good about yourself, but on how other people will perceive you, you will understand how important it is to know what jewelry symbolizes. You will find that your status can sometimes be determined by the type of jewelry you wear and that you don’t have to always go all out because you can find affordable jewelry as well.
