Many people think that finding the perfect piece of jewelry is just about being in the right place at the right time, but luck is only one part of it. Like any type of purchase, you need to know what you are looking for before you buy. This article contains a number of tips on purchasing jewelry that will help you to make a smart buy.
Costume jewelry is worth considering if you’re going to work and don’t wish to wear any jewelry that has a high value attached to it. Costume pieces of jewelry don’t contain any precious metals or gemstones, which makes them highly affordable and widely available. This type of jewelry does tend to tarnish over time and cannot be shined with a polishing cloth.
Try adding some industrial metals to your collection. There is more to metal jewelry than just gold and silver. Industrial metals include stainless steel, titanium, tungsten carbide and tungsten. Industrial metals provide a much nicer shine and are more durable and less susceptible to damage. Titanium is known for being more lightweight, stainless steel and can be polished until it practically glows. Tungsten carbide can resist scratches for a long time, as well as being a dark metal.
If you are considering a titanium wedding band, remember that it cannot be re-sized and may be a bit more difficult to cut off in an emergency than rings made from precious metals. Titanium rings are less likely to bend or crush under pressure, however, so an accident that would heavily damage a gold or platinum ring may not harm a titanium one.
Don’t discard your antique broach from Grandma, re-purpose it. If you put a chain through it, the broach instantly becomes a fashionable necklace. Vintage jewelry is extremely popular these days and finding a way to make it wearable makes it fashionable. Re-using is also a popular concept in our “green” society. That broach can serve you well with just a slight alteration to its use.
Know what you are looking for, when you first get to the store. If you are well-prepared for your visit to the jeweler, you will be less likely to make impulse purchases should the opportunity arise. Have a plan and stick to it, to make sure you stay in budget and on track.
Never use solutions or chemicals on emeralds. Chemicals, especially ammonia, will degrade emeralds to the point that they are unrecognizable. Emeralds are especially porous gemstones, so make sure to take great care when cleaning and storing these precious stones. If you are not careful with these, they will quickly lose their worth.
Every necklace, bracelet or anklet can benefit from a quality clasp. It is extremely easy to lose your valuable chains, pendants and stones with jewelry that has a flimsy clasp. You can purchase a safety clasp to secure expensive pieces of jewelry. Some opt for two or three clasps on their extremely valuable pieces of jewelry so that they stay safe during wear.
When purchasing jewelry, have a friend or family member go with you. They can assist you as you are selecting a piece of jewelry, and they can also remind you of important details that you may have forgotten, like the ring size or favorite gemstone of the person you are buying for. A companion can also keep you from getting overwhelmed as you shop.
Some people choose to clean their fine jewelry with warm water and mild soap. For most pieces of fine jewelry, this is an acceptable means of cleaning. Just make sure you rinse the jewelry well and dry it thoroughly with a soft, clean cloth. Both silver and gold may tarnish if it is not dried well.
When it comes to taking care of your jewelry – be sure that you take it off before taking care of your laundry. This is important to avoid the risk of losing it in your laundry as well as exposing it to harmful cleaning chemicals.
Gems and precious stones are a more affordable and colorful option than diamonds and yet these are often underlooked. There are three options for the buyer: natural, synthetic, or imitation. Synthetic emeralds, rubies, sapphires, and amethysts are the best bet. They are of comparable quality to natural stones, with the only difference being that they are created in a laboratory.
When considering jewelry for your wedding be sure that you shop for it in plenty of time for your wedding date. This is important so that you not only get the best prices for it but also to ensure that it is available for you with plenty of time to spare.
As was stated in the beginning of this article, purchasing jewelry is really about knowing about the product. If you are educated about the product, then finding the right price point is something you can achieve without luck on your side. Apply the advice from this article and you’ll be sure to find the perfect piece of jewelry.
