Buying jewelry for a loved one can be a stressful but a successful experience. Lessening the stress and allowing the buying experience to be a happy one can be very beneficial to both the buyer and the seller. This article gives you a multitude of methods to help you be more confident and less stressed when buying your jewelry.
If you are shopping unmarked sterling silver jewelry, then by all means bring a magnet. Use the magnet to detect fake jewelry; real silver will not be attracted to the magnet, but the cheaper metals will. There should be a stamp hallmarked that says something like .925 sterling or ster, on sterling silver If the piece is not hallmarked in any way, be leery of its authenticity because oftentimes it is a sign of a fake.
Try making your own jewelry pieces. It just takes some tools and some materials to get started. More specifically, there are many kinds of materials you can use. You can use wire, string, beads, yarn, thread, glass, stone, metal, etc. The only limitation is your hands and your imagination, so have fun with it.
Enroll in a beading class, if you’re a fan of necklaces and bracelets. If you are buying them all of the time, this can put a dent in your budget. Instead, take a class and make some jewelry yourself. You will save a ton over buying already made products, have something unique to wear, and you can even sell some of your pieces for a profit.
Before purchasing earrings that have diamonds or other stones in them, make sure that the stones can be replaced. You do not want to be put in a situation where the stones have fallen out of your earrings and they cannot be replaced. If you are unsure, you can always ask a jeweler before you buy them.
When buying jewelry, you may want to consider lab-created stones. Gems created in a lab can be just as beautiful as natural gemstones, but they are often less expensive. You may be able to buy a much larger lab-made stone for the same price as a smaller natural stone. If you have ethical concerns, lab-made is definitely the way to go.
If you’re planning a traditional wedding, then you can’t go wrong with pearls! You can have them on your tiara, wear them as stud or dangle earrings, have a gorgeous “Y” necklace adorned with them, or even a pearl and Swarovski crystal bracelet. Blue pearls are an excellent way to get really traditional, or borrow your Mother’s or Grandmother’s single strand necklace.
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.
To convey a sense of physical prowess, energy, passion, and love, look for pieces that incorporate deep red stones like rubies and red garnets. Red is an especially powerful color that is best suited to bold rings and necklaces that allow the stone to take center stage. Rubies are also popularly known as the birthstone for the month of July.
To help you clean and maintain your jewelry in top condition, remember to polish your gold and silver with a jewelry polishing cloth. Alternatives, such as a regular cloth or paper towel, have the potential to damage your gold or silver because they are not gentle enough for these delicate precious metals.
Stick to one stand-out piece of jewelry per outfit, and choose simpler pieces for the rest. If you are wearing long, shoulder-grazing earrings, for instance, keep your necklace simple. This gives the eyes somewhere to rest and keeps your ensemble from looking too busy.
When you are looking to buy someone a gift, you may consider getting a jewelry set. You can often get a better price if you buy an entire set. You can even divide the pieces and give them to multiple recipients or on multiple occasions. By doing this, you’ll always have a gift ready and you know they’ll like it.
It is important that you take your jewelry off before you go to bed. Sleeping with your jewelry on causes chains and joints to weaken. This, in turn, causes your jewelry to get damaged more easily. Make sure you take your jewelry off when you go to bed to eliminate undue stress.
When it comes to taking care of your jewelry be sure that you are using only mild cleaning solutions when cleaning it. This will ensure that you are not compromising the structural integrity of your jewelry as well as not causing further surface damage such as discoloration. When in doubt, look for jewelry safe cleaning products when shopping.
Guys, if you want to save money while buying jewelry, make sure you never bring your wife or girlfriend with you while shopping. It’s not that she’ll ask for something expensive; it’s that you’ll be eager to impress her rather than taking your chances with surprising her. Go for the surprise every time.
As was stated in the beginning of the article, buying jewelry can be a very stressful experience. Knowing your way around a jewelry counter can help give you the confidence and capability to make the right choice for your loved one. Apply the advice from the article and you will find yourself knowledgeable and ready to meet your jeweler.