Shopping for your jewelry is all about a matter of knowledge and taste. If you know what you are looking at, you will be more capable of making a confident decision on what you want to purchase. This article will give you helpful advice on all the different types of jewelry, and what you should know about each one.
Vintage jewelry can actually make great fashion accessories. It doesn’t have to be your granny’s jewelry any longer. Make a statement piece by displaying a vintage necklace or a pair of vintage earrings. Vintage seems to be all the new rage and almost every store out there seems to be selling vintage inspired pieces. Why buy “inspired pieces” when you can buy the real thing for a fraction of the cost?
The world of body piercing has taken body jewelry to new heights. Many people like the feeling of having their tongues pierced, but having metal jewelry in your mouth can be damaging to your teeth. There are many colorful options available for plastic tongue jewelry that is safer for your mouth and won’t make your dentist cringe.
Do not use ultrasonic cleaners and jewelry cleaning liquids on your precious and semi- precious gemstones. Most gemstones are easily damaged and their properties become corroded by the chemical properties in jewelry cleaning liquids. Ultrasonic cleaners can shake the gemstone settings apart and deteriorate the glue used to secure the gemstone in the setting.
Use a toothbrush and small bit of toothpaste to clean your precious gems. This works really well on diamonds. The toothpaste is a non-abrasive scrubber and the toothbrush is small enough to get into those little nooks and crannies. This method is safe to use as often as you like.
If you’re buying an item of jewelry for your wife, pick something that says love. There are so many pieces of jewelry that have a story behind them, like an infinity band or hugs and kisses pendant. Items that are called “forever”, typically with diamonds, will show her you want to spend the rest of your life with her. Beautiful!
When purchasing diamond jewelry such as engagement rings, earrings, necklaces and bracelets, knowing the 4 C’s of diamonds are important. The 4 C’s include: Cut, Clarity, Color and Carat. Some jewelers also like to add a fifth C which is Certificate and it is the grading report on the quality of the diamonds in your piece of jewelry. Knowing the C’s of diamonds will make you a more knowledgeable customer.
Do not be afraid to buy silver jewelry. Gold items are incredibly expensive right now, and silver is “in”. Search for products that are labeled as sterling silver because they have a large amount of the metal in them. Not only will you save money, but you will have the opportunity to buy a nice piece of jewelry that you might have missed otherwise.
When you have opted to purchase a piece of jewelry for another person, always remember to consider the occasion in which you are purchasing for. This way, there is little room for interpretation of what the jewelry item signifies and both you and your loved one will be happy with the overall purchase.
When it comes to taking care of your jewelry be sure that it is safe while in storage. This is important because depending on how it is stored, you may find that it becomes scratched or tarnished. To avoid this, prevent your jewelry items from coming in to contact with each other and also make sure that the container it is in is soft and dry.
Store your jewelry in the same way you wear it. This means hanging necklaces and earrings, and storing rings on padded sticks. Not only does this protect your jewelry from becoming tangled, knotted, or damaged, it also allows you to easily see what jewelry you have and what matches well together.
If you love making jewelry, don’t neglect “found” items in your designs! You can use all kinds of interesting tidbits to add flair and originality to your creations. For example, vintage buttons can make some very nice earrings! If you’re into kitch, a collectible soda pop cap can make a cute pin! Be open-minded and creative to craft handmade treasures that will really stand out!
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.
When buying any type of diamond jewelry, ask the jeweler who grades their diamonds. You want to know that they are using the best quality graders as well as a very experienced grader. Otherwise you might not get the quality of diamond that you are actually paying for. You could even ask for a second opinion.
Preserve the texture, tone, and color of your turquoise jewelry by exercising the utmost care in storing and cleaning each earring, ring, and necklace. Although turquoise often features inherent surface imperfections, failure to cleanse it gently can affect the color of the stone. Wipe the stone, then dry it with a soft cloth. Do not use soap or chemicals on the stone.
Give the gift of relationship-appropriate jewelry. Jewelry gifts have a lot of potential for being misunderstood, so take stock of your relationship’s status and give jewelry that works for where the two of you are, not where you would like your relationship to be. Always check on the return policy and keep your receipt.
One of the most important things to consider when you are using jewelry to complete you overall outfit, is that the accessories should never overshadow your natural beauty or be way outside the realm of your style. Let your natural beauty dictate the outfit and the accessories.
As was stated earlier in the article, shopping for jewelry is all just a matter of what you know. Making a confident decision based on your preferences and knowledge is simpler when you know what you are talking about. Follow the tips you just read to give yourself that edge over other customers.
