Anyone who has ever had to navigate the endless number of jewelers and retailers, in search of the perfect piece of jewelry, can tell you how difficult it can be. Save yourself the hassle of making an unwise purchase by brushing up on these tips for shopping for jewelry.
The use of polishing cloths are helpful in cleaning your jewelry. This will allow your jewelry to shine without using chemicals. Gently polish your jewelry with the two-sided cloth as if it were a mirror. Use one side to shine it and the other to polish it.
Save some of your most fragile jewelry for special occasions only. Some fragile stones like opal and peridot should only be worn for special events and then carefully stored until the next occasion. This may seem irritating since you want to be able to wear your best pieces, but it can prolong their life if you avoid exposing them to harm too often.
It is sometimes hard to stand out from the crowd or find a meaningful piece of jewelry. Jewelry stores usually sell the same type of designs that prove to be a bore after a while. Go bold and purchase handmade artisan jewelry instead. Handmade jewelry will always be a success due to its one-of-a-kind nature. You will never see anyone else wearing the same thing as you and you will also be supporting an artist instead of an import company relying on low wage labor.
To make sure your jewelry makes you look great, wear jewelry that compliments your skin tone. If you have a cool skin tone, choose jewelry with a silver tone. When wearing gemstones, try pearls or jewel-toned stones. To compliment a warm skin tone, wear gold jewelry and pieces with earth tones. Coral and turquoise also look great on those with warm skin.
When you choose to make a jewelry purchase as a gift, do so from a store that allows you to make returns! You never know when someone just won’t like what you pick, and it’s a lot easier to take them with you when you return the piece to pick out something they like.
Try wearing the item for a little while to see if it is comfortable and hangs correctly. This will also let you know how the piece holds up in every day environments.
If you purchase any diamond over one carat, you need to get proof. Any diamond included in jewelry that is over one carat should come with a diamond grading report. This should be done by an independent gem grader and the report should include any information that could potentially affect its value.
Diamonds are indeed a girl’s best friend and although they are one of the hardest minerals, they do require certain care to keep them beautiful. The best recommended cleaning solution is one part ammonia to six parts water which is applied with a soft-bristled brush. You then rinse with clean water, and use a soft cloth to dry. Sparkling diamonds are the end result.
Do you have sterling silver jewelry? As you probably know, silver is a metal which oxidizes when in prolonged contact with air. To keep your silver nice and shiny, get into the habit of softly rubbing it weekly with a polishing cloth. If there is grime on your silver jewelry, simply use a soft, moist cloth to remove it. Dry the piece thoroughly and then use a polishing cloth to restore the shine.
The price of gold is a major limiting factor to being able to afford beautiful gold jewelry. If you simply must have that gold ring, necklace or bracelet, be flexible in terms of karats. The best deal you will usually find is a piece of 18 karat gold, which is at least 75% pure gold.
Clean gold properly. Even though gold has an advantage because it doesn’t tarnish or rust, it still needs cleaning. Harsh chemical cleaners will strip away any shine or luster, so only use a soft wet cloth for cleaning. If there are hard to reach areas, you can use a soft-bristled toothbrush dipped in warm soapy water.
If you are low on cash but still want to make some jewelry, you can make paper beads! These are bright and colorful and also, very fun to make for yourself or if you have children. All you need is some old magazines that you may have laying around!
Pearl’s jewelry is a wonderful and versatile addition to a wardrobe. Pearls can often be accented with sparkling stones, used as an accent on a metal chain, or be shaped in interesting ways- the classical white strand of perfect spheres is certainly not the only way to wear them. Try a pearl necklace with diamond separators!
Cabochons are a very popular format for jewelry pieces. The smooth, rounded edges place the focus on the beautiful color and translucence of the stones inside, and are convenient because they do not tend to catch on anything or snag. This makes them particularly well suited to children and teenagers.
Simple diamond stud earrings, a solitaire pendant, and a glitzy cocktail ring are wardrobe staples that look equally stunning with jeans or formal wear. For an inexpensive or ethical alternative to diamonds, choose cubic zirconium pieces instead. It’s very hard to tell the difference between the two stones, and the price allows you to choose larger stones without a hefty cost.
If you have made the investment into a nice piece of jewelry, you want to keep it looking great for a lifetime. Regular cleaning and maintenance will need to be done. Many times the jeweler that you purchased the item from will perform a standard cleaning at no cost to you.
Now that you have learned some of the best and brightest tips for finding the perfect necklace, brooch, or bracelet, you are sure to make more informed decisions regarding your next jewelry purchase. This advice is sure to help you put a smile on someone’s face as you give them the perfect gift, even if it’s a gift for yourself.
