When you are looking for stones you should remember a few simple tips. Going into a jewelry store without knowing what to look out for can result in you getting a piece that is not worth nearly as much as what you paid for it. Follow these tips, so that you can make the right selection.
Try not to bathe or swim in your fine jewelry. Many times the type of water (hard versus soft) can splash and wear the metal jewelry or stain the stone. There are also chemicals like chlorine found in many swimming pools that can turn stones and badly stain metal jewelry.
If you are a seller of jewelry, make sure you include some photos of what it should look like when its worn. Jewelry tends to look much different when you actually see it in use versus just sitting on a tabletop. Try getting a photo of a mannequin wearing it or have yourself, your staff or even your customers submit “modeling” photos of the pieces in use. This provides all of your customers a view into how things look with their sizing and how things dangle.
There are two types of categories that jewelry falls under. Fine jewelry is jewelry made from silver, gold or platinum and is combined with any precious or semi- precious gemstones. Jewelry classified as costume is any form of jewelry made from low cost metals that contain only a silver or gold surface finish as well as synthetic or plastic “gemstones”. Both categories have their pros and cons, and it really depends on personal taste and budget that helps determine which to buy.
Do they often wear hoop earrings, or stud earrings? Do they show a preference for white or yellow gold? Knowing their preferences will be an invaluable guide when you go out to buy them a special item of jewelry.
If you need help purchasing that special piece of jewelry for someone you care about, you should ask someone close to your special person. For instance, maybe a close friend or relative would be willing to help you pick out that special piece of jewelry. They are certainly very familiar with the individuals taste and preference and could help you select the perfect piece.
Nothing tells a woman you care like buying her jewelry with her birthstone. The fact that you took the time to research her birth date, and then her birthstone, will show her that you are willing to take the time to make her happy. No woman can turn that down!
If you’re new to making wire jewelry, practice with copper wire or craft wire before moving on to sterling silver. There is a learning curve when it comes to making wire jewelry, and it’s likely you will have to try a few times before getting it right. Sterling silver is expensive and starting with that material is not very cost effective.
Use a cloth dampened with a solution of water and a few drops of dish-washing liquid to clean your pearls. Lightly rub each pearl with the cloth, and allow them to air-dry. Never soak pearls, as doing so can cause massive damage to the integrity of the gem. Keeping your pearls clean ensures a long life for them.
Metal allergies can make wearing any type of jewelry, most especially wrist watches, itchy and painful. A simple way to alleviate the itch that some non-precious metals (common in many watch cases) can cause, change your watch band to one made of leather or cloth and then apply a coat of clear nail polish to the back of your watch. The nail polish, while not permanent, can easily be reapplied when needed and protects your skin from being in direct contact with the metal case of the watch. If the buckle of that new watch band is metal, don’t forget to give it a coating of nail polish as well. Even that tiny bit of metal can cause some serious discomfort to those with sensitivities.
When it comes to quality and price, don’t count synthetic gemstones out. These gems, which are created in a lab, appear remarkably similar to the real thing. Take this into consideration as you shop for your next piece of jewelry: Rather than spending exorbitant amounts of money for a natural stone, opt for an affordable synthetic stone. The money saved on the stone can go toward a more intricate or higher-quality metal, such as platinum.
If you love wearing jewelry, but hate the irritation it causes, then you may want to examine the metals in the jewelry. Higher karats of gold are less likely to cause irritation so opt for 14 or 18 karat. You could also try platinum or even palladium as both of these metals are harder and stronger than gold.
While it may seem like buying jewelry can be a long and tedious process, it is actually not as taxing as it sounds. You should have fun and enjoy browsing, but just be sure to keep an eye out for things that do not seem like they are what they should be.
