Nothing shows that you took the time and cared, quite like nice jewelry. It has always been, and always will be, the best gift to pick up on a moment’s notice. No one is ever sad or disappointed that they received jewelry instead of a card or picture. There are a few things that you should remember when shopping for jewelry and they are listed in this article.
When choosing jewelry to wear to your wedding, decide first if you wish to buy it or rent it. Often the jewelry you wear as a bride isn’t necessarily something you’d wear again, so renting is an excellent choice and will get you a higher grade of item than you might be able to buy outright.
Check for wear and damage in every piece you buy. Spending money on jewelry can be a worthy investment, but if the item you invest in is not in good condition, you will be wasting your money. Thoroughly examine each piece to be sure your investments are truly worth the money.
To wear jewelry without feeling uncomfortable, choose looser fitting pieces. While more restricting pieces like tight bracelets or chokers may look great, you won’t be able to look your best if you’re not comfortable. Light, loose necklaces are totally on trend and can be worn all day without causing you to experience discomfort.
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.
Look for jewelry stores that are accredited members of the Gemological Institute of America, or GIA, as well as the Jewelers of America. You are assured the best quality at the lowest price by stores with these certifications. You will find these certifications held by most big chain type outfits.
Many types of metals will quickly tarnish when exposed to air for prolonged periods of time. One of the easiest ways to avoid this is by placing them in an air-tight location. A great and simple solution is purchasing small zipper plastic bags and then carefully sealing your jewelry inside them.
You should learn how to use the jeweler’s magnifier (loupe) so that you can see the inside of the stone and check to see if there are damages or chips on the inside of it. If there are any chips or damages that will greatly reduce the value of the stone.
Always store your pearls flat, and in a silk pouch. Pearls scratch very easily and so, soft silk is the safest material to store them in. Hanging pearls is a bad option because it can stretch the knotted string over time and ruin your precious investment.
A great tip that can help you maintain your jewelry is to take your ring off when you go to the gym to lift weights. Lifting weights with your ring on can do a lot of damage to your ring. You’ll constantly scrape it against the weights which will badly scratch it.
Don’t be afraid to play with different textures in your jewelry designs. Incorporating different types of beads (crystal, pearl, seed beads, glass, plastic, etc) will add a degree of interest to any piece. Adding in alternative materials, like metal rings and even fabric, will help you to create memorable, one-of-a-king jewelry pieces that will be sure to wow.
Don’t jeopardize your wholesale jewelry sales by failing to thoroughly assess the quality of your suppliers’ offerings. Solid gold or silver jewelry is the highest quality, followed by vermeil, then plated jewelry. With plated jewelry, the top layer of gold is quickly eroded by skin oils and friction. This type of jewelry is perceived by buyers as being inferior to others.
Dress up your outfit with inexpensive cocktail rings! You can pick these up at garage sales, flea markets and discount stores for a fraction of the price of gold and silver jewelry. Rhinestones and faux pearls look just as striking, and you do not have to worry about losing or damaging an expensive piece of jewelry!
When shopping for jewelry, keep in mind the “cost per use” factor. If you will only wear those gorgeous, dangly diamond earrings a handful of times, calculate how much money you are paying for each time you wear them. Pieces that you wear daily — like your wedding ring — are worth spending more money on, because your cost per use will be lower, and they will see more wear and tear.
When selecting gemstone rings, think about how often you plan to wear them. Certain stones may not be strong enough for every day wear. Even if you don’t think you’re tough on your jewelry, little bumps and bangs over a period of time can lead to a crack. For something you want to wear all day everyday, diamonds are a girl’s best friend.
Emeralds, while extremely durable on the outer surface, require a small degree of maintenance and care to preserve their internal qualities. They can be cleaned with cool water and may even be soaked very briefly, but should never be exposed to harsh jewelry cleaners or extremely hot water or steam.
When buying jewelry for others, do your homework first. Find out their favorite colors, preferences between gold, silver, white gold or platinum and ring size. Buy real gold rather than plated. Same for gemstones, it’s better to buy more modest pieces with real gold and genuine gemstones. Also make sure you find out the jeweler’s return policy.
Observe each piece carefully and do not purchase anything that you are not completely positive about. Follow the guidelines listed and you will be able to pick up something great that your loved one is guaranteed to enjoy for the rest of his or her life. You can’t go wrong when you go with jewelry.
