It takes a lot of homework to buy or sell jewelery and get the most out of it. This can make it hard to know where to start.
To keep your jewelry looking attractive, polish it regularly using a cloth made especially for this purpose. This will allow your jewelry to shine without using chemicals. You just have to polish each piece the same as you would polish glass using the two-sided cloth. One side is designed to polish, and the other is used to make the piece shine.
Don’t keep your jewelry in open air or someplace with a lot of humidity. To keep your jewelry properly protected, store it in a drawstring bag or jewelry box. Metals will become tarnished when exposed to air and humidity. You can restore the precious metals back to their former glory, but plated jewelry is different. Trying to polish those pieces can reveal the non-precious metals underneath, such as copper.
To distinguish between real and fake, bring a magnet when you shop for sterling silver jewelry. As a precious metal, silver should never be attracted to a magnet. Another way to tell if a metal is sterling silver is to check for a hallmark stamp, for example .sterling, .ster, or .925. If there is no hallmark, watch its authenticity since it may be fake.
When shopping for diamonds, it’s best to comparison shop. Compare the jewelery you like with others that are similar; make sure to examine the pieces closely. With diamonds, you need to have a keen eye because of the many tricks people will use to enhance it.
Before purchasing a piece of jewelry, be sure to ask the jeweler about insurance policies. Insurance policies allow you to bring a defective or broken piece into the jewelry store for repair. Some stores even insure jewelry against loss or theft.
When collecting costume jewelry, pay close attention to the condition of any piece you are considering. Many costume pieces are a great investment and can be quite costly, but costume jewelry that has too many signs of wear will not keep their value over time. Investing in quality means that you can enjoy the jewelry for many years to come.
When buying jewelry, think about what kind of stone would be right. Choose stones that complement your complexion and that best reflect your personality. Neutral colors are very versatile, as they match well with any outfit. There is no point in buying something that is not functional.
An attractive brooch can increase visual interest and accent your waist. Pin it to the middle of the waist or close to your hip.
Untangle knotted necklaces with delicate loops. Don’t be tempted to give up on the tangled metal. It’s plastic wrap to the rescue. Place the tangled pieces on this plastic with some mineral or baby oil. Using sewing needles, you should be able to separate the knot. Wash them using dish soap, and then pat dry them.
Selling jewelry online requires you to capture stunning images of the piece. An online buyer doesn’t get the opportunity to handle the jewelry, so photos of the piece have to speak for themselves. Make sure that the pictures focus specifically on the piece of jewelry with a background that enhances its beauty.
All bracelets and necklaces must have a good, durable clasp or closure. Unless your necklace or bracelet has a durable closure, you risk losing expensive or sentimental pendants, stones and charms. If you have expensive or heirloom items, invest in a safety clasp. Actually, some people opt for an additional clasp on more expensive pieces.
You will want to purchase jewelry that will have an extended lifespan if you are spending a great deal of money. Although more expensive jewelry is normally high quality, there are other factors to consider. Although something may be in style now, it may seem tacky after a few years. Choose a classic, timeless piece.
Of course, higher gold prices also increases the cost for new gold jewelry. If you decide you must have real gold jewelry, you may want to save money on the karats instead. The best deal you will usually find is a piece of 18 karat gold, which is at least 75% pure gold.
Clearly, buying and selling jewelry successfully requires ample amounts of research and effort. If you use these suggestions you can be a winner!
