You would like to know all there is to know about jewelry so that you know what to watch out for, when you are either purchasing or selling a piece. This article will provide plenty of advice so that you can be assured that no one will have a chance of ripping you off.
When storing your fine jewelry in a chest or case, wrap each piece in a small piece of velvet cloth. That way harder gemstones will not scratch softer gemstones and metals. It also helps pieces not get tangled with themselves and the velvet helps to keep the pieces safe from excess moisture.
If you would like to start collecting gemstone jewelry, make sure that you do your research first. It is important that you know what to look for in spotting fakes and what to look for to identify genuine gemstones. It can also be beneficial to know what different countries and areas different gemstones are indigenous to. This can help determine if what you’re looking at is real or fake.
If you lose the butterfly backing for your post earrings, you can easily replace them. Any local craft stores carry replacement backings for post earrings in the jewelry making aisles. You can find them in different metals such as sterling silver, gold plating, silver plating or silver tone metal. You no longer have to throw your old earrings out, you can replace the backing quite affordably.
If you’re going to buy earrings for a woman, also get a matching necklace. If you want to buy a necklace, grab a bracelet, too. A matched set of jewelry is double the joy for whomever you’re buying it for, which makes picking the perfect item twice as much fun for you!
The meaning behind a diamond is eternity, that love will endure. You can never go wrong when buying diamonds, even if your budget is small. If you choose a quality metal like 14k gold and a smaller carat of diamond in a beautiful setting, whomever you’re giving it to will have a giant smile on their face despite the small price.
Don’t buy any jewelry that could easily be broken, or the recipient could end up disappointed. Many pendants come in tiny little chains that are so frail that they break right away, and if your loved one loses their new diamond pendant, they’ll be heartbroken. If the chain is inadequate that comes with a pendant, buy a larger chain or just buy a different pendant!
When cleaning silver, it is best to invest in a jeweler’s rouge cloth. It has a polishing compound on the red side which is safe to use with all gemstones, and the yellow side is intended for giving a polish that will sparkle. This will keep your jewelry looking gorgeous for a long time to come!
For jewelry to stay shiny and new-looking, it is important to keep it from tarnishing. Try to keep your jewelry away from water. Many pieces can become rusty, tarnished or dull when they are exposed to water. To give jewelry an added layer of protection apply a thin layer of clear nail lacquer.
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.
When making jewelry and you want to turn a bead into a linked piece, take an eye pin and thread it through the bead’s hole. Let the bead slide to the bottom of the eye pin. Directly above the bead, use your pliers to bend the eye pin approximately 45 degrees. Using wire cutters, trim this to about half an inch in length. Using small round pliers, grasp the tip of the wire and start looping it around the pliers tip. Don’t give up if your eye pin loop is not directly round – practice makes perfect!
Do not underestimate the power of pearl jewelry. Pearls are often considered a throwback to the days of old. How untrue this is. Modern pearls come in so many varieties, you can cheaply acquire them and spice up any fashion style you are trying to pull off. They come in many colors and shapes.
These days of sky-high gold prices makes buying gold jewelry an expensive proposition. It is possible to save extra money when you compromise on karats, if gold necklaces or rings are what your heart truly desires. 18 karat pieces are made up of at least 75% pure gold. This is considered to be the best combination of price and quality.
In conclusion, you want to make sure that nobody is going to take advantage of you when either buying or selling jewelry. While nobody can stop a dishonest person from trying to cheat you, you can prepare yourself for the worst, by following the tips provided in this article.