It is not, in fact, possible to know too much about jewelry. You could lose a lot of money through easily-avoided mistakes, if you don’t cultivate at least a little bit of jewelry know-how. This article provides several practical tips about jewelry. With these tips, you can steer clear of potential pitfalls and have the best experience possible with buying, giving, and maintaining jewelry.
Store your jewelry in a place that is not subjected to humidity extremes or open air. Keep them stored safely in a closed, dark area, like a jewelry box or drawstring bag. Both air and humidity can lead to tarnished metal. Precious metals are capable of being polished until they are like new, while non-precious metals will not be able to be saved. This is because the non-precious metals are simple copper metal coated with the covering of precious metals, and when polished, they will allow the copper to show through.
Having a good eye to catch the details, and a magnet, are key when you are considering the purchase of any type of sterling silver jewelry. Imitations will be attracted to your magnet. This is an easy way to recognize quality. You can recognize sterling silver by stamps that say ‘.925’ or ‘ster’. If you cannot find a stamp, you might be looking at a cheap imitation.
Find out more about the gems you look at. Ask about where they came from and to which category they belong. Gemstones now come in natural as well as synthetic and imitation types. While both natural and synthetic stones are still real, imitation is just glass or plastic made to look like the natural stone. Natural gems are those that are actually from the earth, whereas synthetic ones are made in labs.
Every piece of jewelry should last you a life-time. Always purchase pieces from reputable jewelers in order to make sure you are getting quality pieces. High-quality jewelry is durable and displays excellent craftsmanship. The jeweler you buy it from should be providing you with a provenance on the piece. Details of where it came from, what it is made from and who made it. Take your time when selecting a high-quality piece if you want it to last you for a long time.
Take the time to notice what kind of jewelry they already wear. For example, if they wear earrings, are they hoop or studs? Do they prefer white or yellow metals? Once you are aware of their preferences, you will be in a better position to determine what to buy them.
Before you buy a new piece of jewelry, research the latest trends. Getting a beautiful piece is fantastic; but it’s even better when it’s on sale!
Always check with your jeweler about insurance policy options before buying anything. Insurance policies allow you to bring a defective or broken piece into the jewelry store for repair. Sometimes you can even get replacement coverage for loss or theft.
Well, it’s easy when you know how. This article has just touched on a few of things that you should know about this very rewarding hobby. There is much to learn, but at least you’ve now got a few good ideas to put to work.