From watches and rings to necklaces and broaches, there are millions of people out there right now, looking for great tips on how to buy and sell different types of jewelry. If you're looking for a wide range of helpful jewelry tips, check out this article so that you can learn more about the topic.
Attending yard-sales is a great way to build up a collection of jewelry. Many people sell old costume jewelry for practically pennies. This is a perfect opportunity to stock up on broken pieces that can be repaired or made into new jewelry later. Many new beautiful pieces of jewelry can be born of old broken pieces. Use yard-sales to build up your collection.
When purchasing a ring make sure that you're purchasing a ring in your proper size.
It can be hard to find rings in half sizes, but it is possible. Don't purchase a size up and consider having it re-sized. Resizing is oftentimes a lot more expensive than purchasing another silver ring in your size.
Even though some of the pieces may be attractive, you should stay away from gold filled jewelry.
No matter what the seller may say, gold filled jewelry can turn your skin green and the colors can fade away. The best thing to do if you do not know if it is gold filled is to just not buy it.
Read More: What Do You Know About The GIA?
When buying vintage jewelry, become familiar with the different time periods associated with each piece.
A Victorian era piece may interest you more than one of a different era, so knowing the differences will help you be able to quickly spot the pieces you are most interested in purchasing, rather than spending lots of time browsing.
To make your engagement ring sparkle like it's brand new, try soaking it in a mild detergent.
This will give your ring the deep cleaning it is without damaging the stone or its setting. When the ring has finished soaking, rinse it off with warm water and dry it with a thin, lint free cloth.
Clean your diamonds at home between jeweler cleanings.
You can simply, and cheaply, keep your diamonds sparkling as bright as ever. All you need to do is get a small amount of toothpaste and put it on a dry cloth. Rub the stone completely. Rinse and enjoy the return of the sparkle.
Take proactive steps to minimize the number of times that you have to clean your jewelry.
When getting dressed, put your jewelry on after you apply perfume and makeup. This will prevent the residue of these products from leaving a film on your jewelry. Also, remember to remove your jewelry before cleaning and doing other housework.
You can safely clean your jewelry at home.
Mix a small amount of mild detergent in water. Allow your dirty jewelry to soak for several minutes and then gently scrub it with a soft toothbrush. Finish the cleaning by rinsing your jewelry in clean water and allowing it to air dry.
If you are purchasing a gem, do not be tempted to get imitation jewelry.
This is little more than plastic, and there are many affordable options that you can choose instead. Consider buying a synthetic piece of jewelry; although these are produced in a lab, they are real gems, and they are as beautiful as anything found in nature.
Whenever using any product which contains bleach, you should never wear your rings or fine jewelry!
The chemicals in bleach can cause silver, gold, and other metal alloys to chemically breakdown. Your jewelry will become irreparably damaged. Since there are chlorine (bleach) products in swimming pools and hot tubs, the same rules apply in regards to jewelry removal.
If you get dirt inside of all of the little areas on a piece of jewelry they can be very hard to clean.
The best thing to do is to heat it in a glass dish of soap and water on the stove and then brush it clean with a toothbrush. Make sure you do not let the soapy mixture come to a boil because it can cause damage.
Avoid buying jewelry while gold and silver prices are high.
Shop around and look for bargains when it is necessary to purchase a ring while gold is at an all time high. Shopping at locally owned jewelry stores and staying away from large chain stores, will help you find a quality and reasonably priced piece of jewelry.
When selling jewelry online, you must take full advantage of all the opportunities you have for free advertising, if you want to be successful.
When an online shop hosting site offers free advertising, take it. Take advantage of social media sites, like Facebook and Twitter. If you do not have the proper amount of advertising, no one will know about you. As a result, you will fail.
If you want to sell jewelry, learn the properties of each stone.
Certain stones correspond to astrological signs or elements. Tell these stories to your customers: people are generally excited about finding the stone that was made for them. If your customers do not seem interested by this aspect, find another approach.
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.
Read More: 3 Main Factors That Men Should Know When Using Jewelry
When cleaning your jewelry, make sure to use warm water and soap.
Always dry thoroughly with a soft cloth, making sure not to leave any water behind on your jewelry. Some pieces come with special cleaning instructions, so make sure to follow those as well. It is important that you do not use any other chemicals unless specified.
Learning about jewelry is how to ensure that you're always making the best possible decision.
It doesn't matter if you're looking to buy it, sell it or clean it, tips like these can help you to make informed decisions. Implement these tips to protect your jewelry and your investment.