Learn some tips that can help you become smarter about buying or selling jewelry. You can figure out everything you need to not fall for scamming “jewelers” and how to not lose money when trying to price and sell your jewelry pieces. It’s not so scary once you know the basics.
Many people see jewelry labeled as sterling silver plated and oftentimes think they’ve hit the jackpot when they purchase it at a very low price. In this case unfortunately, you do get what you pay for. This type of jewelry only contains a very thin coating of sterling silver on top of a cheap metal which can usually be identified as copper. The jewelry will eventually tarnish and cause the copper to show through underneath with enough wear.
When buying what some people consider to be the most important piece of jewelry in a relationship, the engagement ring, make sure that it is of high quality and has great design. You want a ring with a lot of hand detail which shows fine craftsmanship.
When you choose to make a jewelry purchase as a gift, do so from a store that allows you to make returns! You never know when someone just won’t like what you pick, and it’s a lot easier to take them with you when you return the piece to pick out something they like.
When packing for a vacation, planning your jewelry is as important as planning your outfits. Since you can’t take your whole jewelry box, plan your outfits in advance and think about what jewelry you’ll be able to wear with multiple outfits. When checking your bags, never pack any jewelry that you absolutely can’t bear to lose. If you can’t live without it, wear it or leave it at home.
If you find yourself putting off wearing a bracelet because you wear a watch, buy a bracelet that matches your watch in style and color, and wear it on your other wrist. Bracelets are fun and are one of the only pieces of jewelry that you can see on yourself when you’re wearing them. Wear one on your wrist without a watch, or simply get rid of your watch altogether.
If you own costume jewelry, it is important to properly care for it. A piece that isn’t in very good condition won’t be worth it, and since you may be thinking of an expensive item as an investment, it’s important to watch for wear and tear. Costume pieces kept in great condition will enhance your collection much more over time.
To make sure your jewelry always looks appropriate, consider the occasion before choosing pieces. If you’re at work, it’s best to avoid chokers and hoop earrings. Pearls are very versatile, but aren’t ideal for a very casual environment. Wearing jewelry ideal for the occasion will keep you from looking out of place.
When giving a piece of jewelry to someone, you must always remember to keep the receipt. This applies to almost anything you purchase, but this definitely applies to a piece of jewelry because of how expensive it is. If you want to return the piece of jewelry for whatever reason, you need the receipt to get your money back. Otherwise, you will be stuck with a useless piece of jewelry that you spent lots of money on.
Be highly aware when you go in a shop to buy new jewelry. The people running the shop have had years of training to guide you right into buying a diamond that has been getting dusty in their case. If you feel the least bit pressured, you should leave and try another shop, or come back later.
To keep silver jewelry tarnish-free between wearings, wrap the item in a jeweler’s polishing cloth and then seal the piece, cloth and all, in a plastic bag. Polishing cloths come in many sizes and are very economical. The cloth provides padded protection to even the most delicate chains and the plastic bag keeps air, which causes tarnish, from touching the jewelry. When ready to wear, give the piece a rub with the cloth for shine and you’re set to go!
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.
In order to keep your jewelry at its best, remove your jewelry before doing house cleaning, going swimming, performing personal care such as using lotion and bathing, or before exposing yourself to extreme heat or cold. The metal in your jewelry can tarnish or even crack if it is exposed to harsh chemicals such as chlorine, or if it is rapidly heated and cooled.
As you can see, buying or selling jewelry isn’t nearly as difficult as it may appear. It just requires doing research, some legwork, asking questions, getting certificates and other related jewelry material. The work will pay off once you see how it can help you with your jewelry buying and selling goals.
