Whether it is an old heirloom necklace from your grandmother or a 6-carat diamond engagement ring, everyone has a piece of jewelry that is near and dear to their heart. This article provides many helpful tips on keeping your jewelry looking snazzy and beautiful for many years to come.
Do not purchase any jewelry from retailers in China. This country is notorious for selling fake gemstone and metal jewelry. Oftentimes, the jewelry advertised as sterling silver with real turquoise is just a piece of metal sprayed in silver and the turquoise is a fake piece of plastic. Such vendors may accept returns, but the hassle of shipping it back at your own cost, is usually not worth it. Be aware of scams like this.
When buying a diamond from a jeweler, make sure that you understand what kind of stone you are purchasing. Do not buy a stone based on seeing it against a black or dark background. This is a seller’s ploy to making it appear more attractive to your eye. You will get a truer view if you ook at it under magnification.
To make an outfit look more balanced, mix and match different kinds of jewelry. If you wear a statement necklace, you can pair it with some basic rings or bracelets. If you like to wear oversize rings, compliment them with a simple chain necklace. This will help to accentuate your more dramatic pieces and will keep your look from feeling like too much.
Personalized jewelry will never fail as a gift, especially for Mother’s Day. A ring with the birthstones of all her children will make a Mom beam with delight. You could also get a bangle bracelet with her childrens’ names engraved on the inside. My favourite is a ring with “I Love You” engraved on the inside.
Never, EVER buy fake jewelry for someone you love! That means gold-plated, cubic zirconia, or gold-filled. Stick to the real stuff – you can get a bargain on real gold, silver, or even platinum if you look hard enough. Fake jewelry can turn the skin black or green, and that is the LAST thing you want to do!
Find a reputable seller. Ask your friends, family, and acquaintances where they believe you should attempt to find your jewelry. Finding a jeweler that is recommended by trusted individuals can give you an advantage to shopping around. You will know in advance what experiences others may have had, and be able to prepare better.
If you have the cash resources, consider buying findings, fasteners, chains, and beads in larger quantities; most jewelry and craft suppliers offer significant discounts on large orders to encourage quick inventory turnover. Your jewelry-making business will consume less cash, but only if you purchase large quantities of items that can be used in a variety of pieces and styles.
When it comes to taking care of your jewelry be sure that you are using only mild cleaning solutions when cleaning it. This will ensure that you are not compromising the structural integrity of your jewelry as well as not causing further surface damage such as discoloration. When in doubt, look for jewelry safe cleaning products when shopping.
Post pictures of you working in your studio if you are going to sell jewelry online. Many sites buy their pieces abroad and sell them at a higher price. If you do that, be honest and open about it. Using pictures of your studio will show people that you are really selling your work.
A busted clasp or tarnished chain does not necessarily spell the end of your favorite piece of jewelry. Look for ways to adapt pendants, beads, or accents into a new form. A sparkling, distinctive brooch can be threaded onto a delicate gold or silver chain, then worn as a necklace or bracelet.
If a piece of jewelry starts to darken or turn black, the problem may not be a matter of quality of the piece. This effect can actually be traced to a high acid content in the wearer’s skin. Often, but not always, a high acid content may also indicate a higher probability of an allergic reaction to metal alloys.
Try using an aluminum pan, baking soda and boiling water to clean tarnished sterling silver jewelry. First, lay the jewelry in the bottom of the aluminum pan. Next, sprinkle a layer of baking soda over the jewelry. Once the jewelry is covered with baking soda, pour boiling water into the pan. Use a spoon to push the jewelry around in the pan. When the water cools, remove your jewelry and dry it off. Finally, polish it with a cloth to remove any remaining tarnish.
When making jewelery such as a bracelet, remember that beads can be expensive. A good way to find cheaper beads is to go to a thrift store and buy jewelery that is on sale and deconstruct it and use it in your design. If you do not use all of the beads don’t worry, maybe you will later!
Research the options for rings. Often times when you walk into a jewelry shop they are able to spot a sucker. They may try and throw around a lot of new vocabulary that may or may not be important. If you understand the industry you will not get duped when buying that expensive piece of jewelry.
With some consumer purchases, warranties and extended care plans are not worth the money. This is not the case with jewelry! Jewelry can last a lifetime – or longer – if it is well-maintained. Purchasing a service plan along with a piece of jewelry is a wise investment, as repair work, resizing and resetting can extend a piece’s life significantly.
As you can see, there are many different methods of maintaining jewelry depending on the type and quality. Hopefully this article has assisted you in discovering some tips and tricks. Every piece of jewelry is unique in its own right so no matter what type of jewelry you have, it deserves to be well taken care of!
