It can be difficult knowing how to select just the right pieces of jewelry. There are so many different styles and materials to choose from, and they are available in such a wide range of prices. Then there is the issue of care and maintenance of the jewelry. This article features tips to help you out with many of your jewelry questions.
When looking to invest in jewelry containing sapphires, opals or rubies make sure that you understand what lab created means. Lab created gemstones are grown in a laboratory using scientific means. Jewelry that you see labeled as lab created such as sapphire has never seen Mother Nature. If you are looking for natural gemstones, you may be paying a higher price and spend significant time looking for a vendor outside of your local mall.
If you are a seller of jewelry, make sure you include some photos of what it should look like when its worn. Jewelry tends to look much different when you actually see it in use versus just sitting on a tabletop. Try getting a photo of a mannequin wearing it or have yourself, your staff or even your customers submit “modeling” photos of the pieces in use. This provides all of your customers a view into how things look with their sizing and how things dangle.
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.
When wearing or buying jewelry, it is important to not go with anything large and flashy. I say this in literal terms, not as in “the diamond was so large.” This is because any jewelry like earrings or necklaces that are too large become gaudy and unattractive. It is best to stick to pieces that fit you and look right.
Know what you are looking for, when you first get to the store. If you are well-prepared for your visit to the jeweler, you will be less likely to make impulse purchases should the opportunity arise. Have a plan and stick to it, to make sure you stay in budget and on track.
Make sure you give yourself adequate time when ordering a new jewelry piece. Most pieces have a turn around time of six to eight weeks. This can become a problem quickly if you need the jewelry for an important occasion. Make sure you give yourself extra time on top of the proposed time-frame.
When selling jewelry online, you must be sure you brand yourself. You want to create a unique identity to differentiate yourself from your competitors in order to keep the consumers coming to you. One way you can do this is by incorporating a unique feature into the piece, packaging, or presentation.
May’s birthstone is the intense green stone known as emerald. If you truly want to express your devotion to a certain special person, be prepared to pay dearly as this particular stone is very hard to come by. Fortunately, emeralds can be created in a lab and are a gorgeous and affordable alternative that would make an ideal pendant or right-hand ring.
Be very careful with the types of beauty products that you wear near your fine jewelry. Some types of perfumes and even many lotions include ingredients that can damage your jewelry over time. Try to wear perfume in locations that won’t make contact with whatever you are wearing and you will be able to avoid this problem.
Diamonds are indeed a girl’s best friend and although they are one of the hardest minerals, they do require certain care to keep them beautiful. The best recommended cleaning solution is one part ammonia to six parts water which is applied with a soft-bristled brush. You then rinse with clean water, and use a soft cloth to dry. Sparkling diamonds are the end result.
When buying jewelry for someone it is important to consider what he or she does on a daily basis. You do not want to give a mother with toddlers a necklace, as she will not be able to wear it when she is around her children. Toddlers love to pull on necklaces and it could hurt the mother’s neck or cause the necklace to break. She would then feel guilt and no one wants that.
While it’s easy to point the finger at the metals in your jewelry causing your skin irritation, it could be as simple as the jewelry needing a good cleaning. Since bacteria and dirt can build up on your jewelry causing irritation, a warm water and gentle soap cleaning is recommended to rid the irritants and hopefully the bad reaction as well.
If you have some fine jewelry or heirloom jewelry whose value you want to protect through insurance, it is wise to take excellent pictures of these pieces and to have an appraisal done by a professional. Make sure that the pictures you take are good, quality ones. Using a flash when taking these pictures will not lead to good pictures of your jewelry. It is best to capture a picture of your precious jewelry under soft, diffused fluorescent bulbs.
Clean silver jewelry with products from your kitchen. Silver jewelry tarnishes with time but it is easily cleaned with vinegar. Combine half a cup of white vinegar with two tablespoons of baking soda in a small bowl. Stir the mixture until it forms bubbles. Put your silver jewelry into the solution leaving it for two to three hours depending on how tarnished it is. Remove the jewelry and wash it under cool running water. It will look as good as new!
Before you make a jewelry purchasing decision, it is good to be armed with as much knowledge as possible. Then, when you finally have your pieces home and have worn them for some time, it becomes vital to know how to care for them properly. By applying the tips you have read in this article, you will be better equipped for both tasks.