It is a shame when someone saves money for years in order to buy the perfect jewelry and the pieces that they are sold are not genuine. Use these handy tips to make sure that the jewelry that you intend to buy is the same jewelry that you bring home.
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 wearing jewelry, less is more. You don’t need to wear a necklace, earrings, bracelets, a watch, and rings to make your outfit look complete. Choose pieces that work well with your outfit and what you’re wearing. One well chosen bracelet or necklace will draw more compliments than multiple striking items.
If you need help purchasing that special piece of jewelry for someone you care about, you should ask someone close to your special person. For instance, maybe a close friend or relative would be willing to help you pick out that special piece of jewelry. They are certainly very familiar with the individuals taste and preference and could help you select the perfect piece.
Sites like Etsy have a wide selection of handmade jewelry. You can find many unique, one of a kind pieces, but be careful. Some sellers may use pendants or other findings that can be widely purchased in bulk or from craft stores. Read reviews or search for similar items to make sure you’re getting the best value.
When choosing jewelry as a gift for a girlfriend, make sure it is something that will really show her that you love her and understand her. At this point in your relationship, the jewelry that you give her should be more than just a gift, but a passing of your love.
If you are not too fond of wearing a wedding or engagement ring on your finger, you can always put it on a chain. This is a safe way to ensure your ring will not fall off. Also, by putting your ring on a chain, it will not be in the way of your daily activities.
When cleaning crystal jewelry simply wipe the dirt away with a soft, damp cloth. Using any kind of chemicals on crystal can damage the shimmer and shine in a very short period of time. Your best bet is to stick to plain water and maybe a tiny touch of dish detergent if your jewelry gets really dirty.
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.
Post pictures of you working in your studio if you are going to sell jewelry online. Many sites buy their pieces abroad and sell them at a higher price. If you do that, be honest and open about it. Using pictures of your studio will show people that you are really selling your work.
Don’t use toothpaste to clean your jewelry. There are countless websites out there claiming that toothpaste is a great way to clean jewelry. Fine jewelers will tell you otherwise. The abrasives in toothpaste can damage the surface of metal and will permanently ruin soft stones such as turquoise, amber and lapis.
When buying jewelry for someone that you care about make sure that you are not stepping over your own boundaries of what you can afford. While most likely you do want to impress the other person, no jewelry purchase will adequately make up for putting yourself at a severe financial risk.
Try using an aluminum pan, baking soda and boiling water to clean tarnished sterling silver jewelry. First, lay the jewelry in the bottom of the aluminum pan. Next, sprinkle a layer of baking soda over the jewelry. Once the jewelry is covered with baking soda, pour boiling water into the pan. Use a spoon to push the jewelry around in the pan. When the water cools, remove your jewelry and dry it off. Finally, polish it with a cloth to remove any remaining tarnish.
If you are wearing a large, ornate necklace, don’t add large ornate earrings. Instead, do without earrings or wear something simple that complements your necklace, face and clothing. Likewise, if your earrings are large, dangly and attention getting, wear a simple choker or chain or no necklace at all.
If you are a jewelery artist that is looking for a way to display your art at the craft fair, this is where you need to look! Always try to be as creative as possible, as this will draw the most eyes to your display. With a bit of ingenuity, even the most random object can be transformed easily into a unique jewelry display case. Look for interesting ways to use things like hatboxes, baskets and unique sculptures.
This is not as tricky as it may seem, and you do not have to be afraid that every jeweler is out there trying to prey on you. Just keep all of this advice in mind while you are searching for your jewelry and you should be absolutely fine.
