Jewelry comes in so many different styles. It is one of the few things people can really use to make a statement about their personal style. Choosing and buying jewelry as a gift for someone can be a little nerve racking. Read the tips on buying jewelry in this article to make the experience easier and more fun.
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.
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.
If you’re trying to buy a diamond on a budget, look for one that has slight inclusions and is a less than perfect color of white. Often times, you cannot even see the inclusions and “off” color with the naked eye, but it can save you hundreds or thousands on the price of the stone.
To make sure no one can tell that you’re wearing costume jewelry, choose pieces that have a real metal setting. A gold or platinum setting can give an artificial gemstone a much more authentic look. This will make sure that you still look elegant even when you’re buying your jewelry on a budget.
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.
When you go to make a new jewelry purchase, you need to give yourself a strict budget. It can be extremely easy to overspend on an awesome piece of shiny jewelry. It will be a lot harder to enjoy later if you do not stick to your own budget goals.
When buying pieces of jewelry that are unique, consider trying to buy as much of a complete set as you can. With unique pieces, it may be hard to find other jewelry that is complementary. Buying a complete set of unique jewelry also makes it easy to give each part of the set as a separate gift over time.
When you are purchasing a piece of jewelry, an important thing to consider is the return policy of the store. By looking into the return policy of the store, you can be more certain in the quality of the item you are purchasing if you are not satisfied after your purchase.
Buying used jewelry is an option to consider, as well. Used jewelry can be found in consignment and pawn stores, art galleries, estate sales, jewelers, or in some cases, yard sales. Before you consider used jewelry, research the type of piece you think you are looking for, so that when you see it at one of these places, you will be able to determine if the item is indeed legitimate or just a reproduction.
Ask your jeweler if they have the current equipment that is used to distinguish real diamonds from those that were created in a lab. Most of the older equipment can detect cubic zirconia, but sometimes they mistake lab diamonds for real ones. Making sure your jeweler has the correct testing equipment can save you from being a victim of fraud.
When you sell jewelry online, write a few paragraphs about who you are and your background. When people walk into your store, introduce yourself. Do not go into details, but have people feel as if they know you and can trust you. You should emphasis your experience in jewelry and perhaps even show some of your past creations.
When considering jewelry for your wedding, make sure that the gown and jewelry compliment each other. This is important because you need to make sure that you have purchased a gown before even starting to look for the jewelry. You will notice how much the design on the dress will influence your jewelry design decision.
When making jewelery such as a bracelet, remember that beads can be expensive. A good way to find cheaper beads is to go to a thrift store and buy jewelery that is on sale and deconstruct it and use it in your design. If you do not use all of the beads don’t worry, maybe you will later!
When shopping for pearls, know the difference in the types of pearl jewelry that is available. Natural pearls are ones that occur in nature, with no interference from human activity. These, however, are very rare and even more expensive, if they can be found. Cultured pearls are genuine, but have been carefully cultivated by pearl farmers. Fake pearls are really just plastic or some other composite that is basically worthless. Be sure that you buy from a reputable jeweler to avoid getting ripped off.
If you are considering purchasing a previously-owned piece of valuable jewelry, insist on seeing a certified appraisal. If one does not exist, either request the seller to have one done, or order it yourself. There are associations that specialize in jewelry appraisals that can provide a list of certified appraisers in your area.
Buying jewelry as a gift can be difficult for some people. Jewelry is such a personal gift so it is important to select it carefully. It is an easy way for people to personalize their style. Use the tips in this article to find the perfect piece of jewelry and have fun at the same time.
