Many people feel intimidated when first investing in jewelry. There are dozens of types of materials that are used to make different pieces of jewelry, and they each come with a different price tag. Buyers who have not educated themselves about jewelry may end up paying too much money for what they get. Use these following tips to help you purchase jewelry wisely.
Try cleaning your jewelry collection with a polishing cloth. This method ensures your jewelry stays shiny without having to use any chemical cleansers or solvents. You use the special cloth to polish your jewelry just like you would polish your silverware. Use a two-sided cleaning cloth, one for polishing and one for shining.
Avoid harsh chemicals like bleach, ammonia and acetone that may permanently damage your jewelry. Chemicals can eat away the stones or enamel on your stones.
Take a magnet and a keen eye with you when you head out to purchase any jewelry made from sterling silver. If an item of jewelry is attracted by a magnet, it is not sterling silver! Only non-precious metals can be drawn to a magnet. Sterling silver will always be hallmarked with a stamp such as .925, ster. or sterling. If the piece that you are looking at is not hallmarked, this is usually the sign that it is a fake.
When you are shopping for diamonds, there are ways to compare the stones. Find a few reference pieces that you like, and see if other diamonds can do better. Some diamond sellers use misleading practices to try to increase the apparent quality of their merchandise, so you should be wary of these tactics.
Stones are an important part of jewelry so ensure they factor heavily in your decision. You should chose stones that reflect your personality, as well as complement your skin tone. Neutral colors work better to match all your clothing. Having a beautiful piece of jewelry is pretty worthless if you cannot wear it.
As you can see, jewelry makes a great gift for many different occasions. Even a tiny token can be very meaningful to the recipient. You will be a jewelry expert if you can make meaningful gifts and also take good care of your jewelry. Regardless, apply the suggestions given in this article to increase the pleasure you find in jewelry!
