Old jewelry can feel outdated, tarnished, and well, just plain old. It doesn’t have to be that way, though. Vintage is very “in” these days and many old pieces can be turned into something new with just a small amount of work. In this article, we will discuss some of the best tips for re-purposing your old pieces.
With gold prices at an all-time high, it’s a great time to invest in gold jewelry. You may have been tempted to sell your old gold or even buy some new gold as an investment. Be smart when dealing with private jewelry sales. Investing money into a cheap gold testing kit is a wise decision to save yourself from getting duped into unintentionally buying gold plated jewelry that is essentially worthless.
Try opting for silver over gold. The olden days of silver being a lesser metal than gold are over. Silver is also consistently priced, while gold continues to rise in price. You don’t have to worry about karats with this metal. Just make sure to avoid nickel silver or German silver as they contain no real silver.
Protect yourself when purchasing diamonds by keeping written documents of your purchases as proof. This is the only way that you can prove the 4 C’s you were guaranteed when you purchased the piece or stone. Treat your sales receipts and appraisals as contracts of what you can expect from your purchase, especially if they are not up to the quality you were guaranteed.
When buying or selling jewelry, consider looking into specialized pawn shops. These shops are going to have individuals who know what they are talking about. They will be able to appraise the approximate value of the jewelry much more accurately than a typical pawn shop, allowing you to have peace of mind with your sale or purchase.
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.
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’d like to wear jewelry while wearing a turtleneck, be sure to only wear long necklaces. Shorter necklaces compete with the neckline of your top and can leave your neck looking stumpy. Look for necklaces with a pendant that falls below breast length. When wearing a turtleneck it’s best not to layer your necklaces.
Do not underestimate the power of pearl jewelry. Pearls are often considered a throwback to the days of old. How untrue this is. Modern pearls come in so many varieties, you can cheaply acquire them and spice up any fashion style you are trying to pull off. They come in many colors and shapes.
If you have nice jewelry, chances are you will want to clean it from time to time. You will want to use a mild soap and warm water, rinse, and then use a soft cloth to polish it. Always dry your gold and silver jewelry before you store it to keep it from tarnishing and to prevent water stains.
While jewelry is a fun fashion accessory, it may be causing an allergic reaction. Certain metals that are added to strengthen the piece cause this. In order to avoid this reaction, you can limit the amount of time the jewelry is worn. Also, make sure your jewelry isn’t too tight, which will allow the skin to breathe, limiting the irritation.
The jewelry looks great on you, but the allergic reaction it causes, does not. If this is a problem that you have faced, you may want to try using clear nail polish. This gives a protective barrier from the metals that could irritate your skin. You just put a coat of polish, on the area of the jewelry that is most likely to come in direct contact with your skin.
If you are looking to purchase a piece of jewelry with precious stones, there are synthetic gems that are more affordable, and have a similar grade of quality as natural gems. But, remember that imitation gems which are composed of plastic elements are indeed fake, whereas synthetic gems are cultured in actual laboratories.
A strong clasp is essential to any necklace or bracelet. Without a solid clasp, your pendant, chain or expensive stone is at risk for loss. It is always in your best interest to fit expensive pieces with a safety clasp. Some people choose to use additional safety clasps in order to keep their priceless pieces safe while they have them on.
When you have opted to purchase a piece of jewelry for another person, always remember to consider the occasion in which you are purchasing for. This way, there is little room for interpretation of what the jewelry item signifies and both you and your loved one will be happy with the overall purchase.
Picking a good quality diamond is important when purchasing diamond jewelry. Ask to see the diamond under a jeweler’s loop or a diamond microscope. You should notice no visible flaws, fractures, cloudiness or black spots. Watch out for chips that are hidden under prongs as well.
In this article, we have helped you by providing some tips on how to re-purpose old pieces of jewelry. Why throw those pieces out when you can turn them into something you love? With just a little bit of work, minimal cost, and barely any effort, you can make your jewelry pieces new again.
