With gold prices at sky-high value right now, many people are buying gold as an investment. If you are purchasing gold jewelery from a private sale, there is a possibility that you might just end up investing in “fools” gold. This article will give you some tips pertaining to buying jewelry and how to save yourself from getting duped.
Make sure to keep regular tabs on the state of your jewelry. You need to constantly assess the condition of your pieces to catch any issues or damage early. It is best to catch them early because this is when you should get them fixed to avoid major or irreversible damage, or even losing the item.
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.
Vintage jewelry can actually make great fashion accessories. It doesn’t have to be your granny’s jewelry any longer. Make a statement piece by displaying a vintage necklace or a pair of vintage earrings. Vintage seems to be all the new rage and almost every store out there seems to be selling vintage inspired pieces. Why buy “inspired pieces” when you can buy the real thing for a fraction of the cost?
When you go jewelry shopping, make sure that it is with people you know and trust that can help you find what it is that you need. There should ideally be at least two people to help you with your shopping experience. The first should be an experienced and trustworthy jeweler. The other should be a loved one or good friend.
A great source for unique and inexpensive jewelry pieces are local thrift shops. Local thrift stores can be a treasure trove for antique and truly unusual pieces. Often, these establishments do not have the staff, training or time, that is necessary to check for hallmarks or gold and silver content. A few dollar’s investment can often yield, not only some really unique pieces of jewelry, but also some pieces that may be, quite valuable.
Jewelry is often very difficult to purchase for a friend or loved one because there are as many different styles and types of jewelry as there are people to wear it. Bracelets are a great solution for many and are available in a huge variety of styles made for the fanciest of occasions to casual every-day wear. Plain silver and gold bangles are a staple for most women, but charm or sliding-bead style bracelets offer the buyer and the wearer the ability to completely customize the bracelet, as well as give the presenter a whole host of additional gifts to give in the future with the purchase of more charms or beads.
Finding the right piece of jewelry to wear for a special occasion can be a hard task. If wearing your hair in an up-do, a pair of dangling earrings may look nice. Whereas if you are wearing a dress with a “busy” pattern, a simple necklace and studded earrings might be more appropriate. Base your jewelry off of your outfit and what will complement it, and you will be sure to find the right piece for that special occasion.
To open a jump link when making chain jewelry, hold the jump link steady with pliers your left hand, and grip the opposite side of the opening with pliers in your right. Gently twist your hands towards each other. This twisting action helps the jump ring maintain its circular shape without distortion, which will occur if you try to push the sides together without twisting.
Know the jewelry terms. Understanding what cut, carat, color, and clarity mean can help you to make a quality purchase for the best price. A salesperson will be much more able to explain the differences in the stones you are interested in if you have a clear understanding of the terms.
You should regularly clean your silver jewelry. You should not let it get black or gray. A cheap, and simple, way to effectively clean your jewelry is to brush your pieces just like you would your own teeth. Just put a bit of toothpaste onto a dry cloth and rub. Clean in no time.
When making a jewelry purchase, be aware of what you plan to do with it. A large jewelry box full of items you never use isn’t a wise investment. Think about which outfits you will wear the jewelry with while you are shopping.
If you have suffered through skin irritation from a piece of jewelry, you will want to look for future pieces that are described as hypoallergenic or nickel free. Other options in jewelry that are less prone to cause sensitivity is that made from titanium or surgical stainless steel. Options are available to keep you fashionable.
The best way to clean your jewelry is with an ammonia and water combination. This can easily be done at home. The commercial solutions on the market contain ammonia and water as their main ingredient. Go the cheaper route and make your own jewelry cleaning solution at home and you will be pleasantly surprised with the results.
As stated in the beginning of this article, many people are investing in gold jewelery today in response to the value being so high. If you do not know much about gold jewelery, you may just end up get duped into buying “fools” gold. Apply the tips from this article, to help pick out authentic, high quality, gold jewelery pieces.