Choosing the right jewelry can mean the difference between gaudiness and class. It can also make the difference between needlessly expensive and deceptively cheap. In order to make the best use of jewelry in your outfits and gain help in selecting the best pieces, consult the advice in this article.
Sterling silver jewelry makes a great investment. Pieces of jewelry made from sterling silver last for a lifetime and provide endless elegance. Sterling does tarnish, but can be quickly shined up using a polishing cloth. However, pieces of sterling silver jewelry that have specialty coating can last ages without tarnishing.
When you are shopping for jewelry, make sure that you ask your jeweler the “right” questions about their wares. You need to discuss things like diamond grades. You also need to ask who the graders are of their pieces. Find out what their education and experience is, and see what the guarantees are on whatever their grades are.
When buying jewelry as a gift, buy something that can be worn every day. Diamond stud earrings are an excellent choice as they go with anything. Watches are also a very utilitarian option, just make sure it’s classy but casual enough that she could wear it to work. Neutral colors are also an excellent choice.
When you need money quickly you may want to consider selling your jewelry to a local pawn shop. Many pawn shops will allow you to sell your jewelry to them and then they give you a certain amount of time to come back to retrieve it. It is a way to get the money you need with the ability to get your jewelry back if you choose.
To avoid breaking the chain of your necklace, pair it with a pendant that matches it in weight. A thin necklace should only be worn with delicate charms, and heavy pendants should be saved for thick, durable chains that can handle the strain. This tip also applies to charm bracelets.
When giving a piece of jewelry to a significant other, an important tip to keep in mind is to remember that timing is critical. Besides giving the wrong gift for the wrong reason, you also want to avoid giving the right gift at the wrong time. The basic rule is that the more elaborate the gift is, the more extravagant the moment should be.
If you plan to make and sell your own jewelry as a quick way of generating extra income on the side, opt to focus on pieces that you can quickly make without sacrificing quality or style. This ensures that you are adequately compensated for your time and efforts used to create the piece.
If you choose to make and sell jewelry at craft bazaars or flea markets, take time to ensure that each piece has a clearly marked price tag that cannot be tampered with, yet can be removed without damaging the merchandise. Although nobody likes to think that theft can happen to them, it is best to protect your investment of time and money.
If you buy a diamond labelled as antique, research it. You should get a certificate of authenticity with your diamond. This should be from an independent source. Antique diamonds need to be at least a hundred years old to be considered antique. The diamond should also be from a recognizable European art period.
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 it comes to taking care of your jewelry be sure that you take it off before taking care of your laundry. This is important because not only do you run the risk of losing it in your laundry, but you also may expose it to harmful cleaning chemicals.
If you are not used to buying jewelry, you should probably go visit a few jewelry stores first. This will give you an idea of prices, and you can ask sellers for advice. Once you know more, you can start browsing online and be able to recognize quality jewelry right away.
Topazes are a beautiful and classic gemstone for jewelry. Their classic deep gold color matches beautifully with most clothing. While topaz jewelry is often found as cut stones in pendants, they can also be found as insets in pins and other types of jewelry. They can also be found in blue.
A great choice for jewelry is Marcasite. It has all the sparkle of cut stones, but is much cheaper than most other traditional options. It is much more durable than rhinestones and is widely found in costume jewelry and inexpensive pins. It offers a great backdrop that doesn’t outshine more expensive outfits or central stones.
When photographing jewelry, lighting is key. By now you know that your camera’s onboard flash is horrible. Too harsh, too bright for close distances, is impossible to previsualize and is likely in the wrong place. For jewelry, use continuous, diffuse (soft) lighting on stands. Photographic daylight-balanced fluorescents are recommended as they remain cool. Note that even those fluorescents will need some kind of diffusion.
Jewelry can make or break an outfit, and it can make or break a budget. By applying the foregoing advice, you can shop for jewelry with more savvy, use it with more class and inform yourself about the finer points of accessories and style. Keep these tips in mind, if you wish to shine like diamonds in polite company.