Shopping for jewelry within today’s market, can be a very exciting experience, but there are many things that you have to remember and take heed to. Start with these jewelry shopping tips and get a better idea of how to protect yourself while shopping wisely.
You never want to use bleach, ammonia, or any other cleaning solvents that are not designed specifically for cleaning jewelry. These chemicals can wreak havoc on your jewelry, from discoloring bands, to dulling stones, to eroding enamel or glue.
If you see a ring that claims to be diamond and has a sterling silver setting, be very wary. Diamonds are only professionally set in white gold, yellow gold or platinum. Very rarely and mostly never will you see a diamond ring set in sterling silver. There are a few infrequent cases with a few low grade diamond chips set in silver, but usually this will not happen. If you see a jewelry store with this practice, they are usually selling zirconia and claiming them as diamonds.
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?
Like with any important purchase, make sure that you are purchasing your jewelry from an experienced jeweler, one who has a solid reputation. You need one that you can trust and who can help you find what you need. They need to be friendly too, and not just another salesperson pushing what they think you should buy. It may even be wise to spend a little more in an established store, than to risk buying what seems to be the same item from someone spurious.
When buying jewelry for your wife, make it a surprise! Never second guess yourself about choosing the “right” item as your wife will be more than happy just to receive a gift! Choose what you love and it’s likely she’ll love it, too. Jewelry is something that is gorgeous, so it’s easy to fall in love with!
Don’t buy novelty jewelry unless you know for sure that the person you’re buying it for will like it. If your wife is a fan of Sleeping Beauty, then a dwarf pendant is an appropriate gift. Don’t just buy an item of jewelry because it’s cute, make sure it’s appropriate, too.
Soak diamonds for twenty minutes in a solution made of four parts water and one part ammonia for a sparkling shine. Scrub them with a soft dampened toothbrush allows cleaning of hard to reach places, such as under the gem or around the prongs. Dry it with a soft cloth to keep it shining and looking new.
Water is typically enough to clean most types of jewelry and precious stones. Simply use a damp cloth and wipe off any kind of residue or dirt that is on the jewelry. If there are any more stubborn problems, you can use a very light cleaning detergent to remove these issues.
When buying jewelry it is a good idea to personalize it. You can choose to have an engraving on the interior of the piece or on the backside of it. It should be a message that will mean something to the person who is receiving the jewelry so that they can look at the engraving and think of fond memories from the past.
Keep a silver polishing cloth handy so you can quickly wipe down your jewelry before you put it on. Frequently polishing your jewelry will not only make it look great but it will also keep it from tarnishing as quickly. Keep your jewelry looking pristine when you use a polishing cloth frequently.
Keep in mind that 10 karat gold is the strongest of all types of gold, but it is also the one that contains the least amount of gold. On the other hand, 24 karat gold is the one that contains the largest amount of gold and it is the weakest.
Always make sure you are getting your money’s worth. You can find jewelry for all kind of prices: look for the best quality possible for the amount of money you wish to spend. Do not pay too much for something you know is not worth it. If a price sound too low, you are probably mistaken about the quality.
For cleaning any type of expensive jewelry, the salesperson you’re purchasing it from should have the best solution. Be sure to ask for some cleaning product at the same time you’re buying your jewelry. With any luck, you may even be able to pick some up for a discounted price.
When it comes to jewelry, be sure that you listen for compliments from people that you respect and let that guide you as to the frequency that you wear a particular piece. This is important because there is obviously something about it that compliments your style and who better to listen to than your own peers.
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.
One way to make your jewelry purchases more memorable is to spend the extra money for engraving. Put some thought into the phrase you want to have engraved. Make it something that will remind your jewelry’s intended owner of the relationship they share with you. An engraved piece of jewelry is always one that helps strengthen interpersonal bonds.
Shopping today for jewelry, whether online or anywhere else can be very risky and can also, present great opportunities for savings. Take note to these wise shopping tips so you can shop safely, within your budget, and with the best practices in hand. You could find that jewelry shopping is much more than you ever imagined.
