Antique Jewelry Shopping What To Look For

Here are some pointers and purchasing jewelry as a gift or for yourself.
This can dull your stones and the metal of the piece.
Keep your jewelry looking like new by wiping it with a polishing cloth. This is a fairly simple way to achieve shine without dealing with solvents and chemicals. Use the dual-sided cloth on your jewelry just as you would clean a glass. First, use the polishing side to polish it up, then use the other side to shine it.
Natural Gems
Know the distinctions between kinds of gems before you are buying with your jewelry.There are basically three distinct types: natural gems, synthetic and natural. Natural gems and synthetic gems are real gemstones, while an imitation gemstone is just a plastic mold made to look like a gemstone. Natural stones are found underground and synthetic ones are created in a lab.
Separate your jewelry for storage to avoid getting pieces tangled. It is recommended to separate the items stored by using compartments, boxes, holders and hooks. Avoid just throwing them into a box in an unorganized manner. Not only will your necklaces get all tangled up, you risk damaging all your fragile and fine jewelry pieces.
Before purchasing a new pieces, look at what the current trends are. The only thing that makes a great purchase an outstanding one is getting a bargain on it.
Always check with your jeweler about insurance policy before buying a new piece of jewelry. If something happened to your jewelery, you know that you will be covered if something happens to your jewelry.Some jewelers even offer insurance on jewelry that might have been misplaced or lost.
Always keep your jewelry in a place that doesn’t experience extreme temperatures or humidities. To maximize protection, put your jewelry in a jewelry box or a small drawstring bag. Certain metals begin to tarnish when exposed to humidity. Polishing will work to restore the color and shine for precious metals, but with non-precious metals, polishing will not help the change in color.
You will need to take special attention when you are buying costume jewelry. A lot of costume jewelery are glued in and not set in. Don’t immerse costume jewelry in water or clean it with harsh chemicals. The best way to clean these pieces are to wipe them clean with a warm damp cloth and dry with another cloth. This will assure that you costume jewelry looking sparkling clean and new.
If you are presenting a gift to someone who has their own unusual style, you should consider purchasing an item that is made specifically for this person. A unique ring, which is exactly what you want to express to a person you care enough about to buy jewelry for.
Having a good eye to catch the details, and a magnet, are key when you are considering the purchase of any type of sterling silver jewelry. Take the magnet with you to find fake pieces of jewelery, sterling silver will not stick to the magnet. Your sterling silver jewelery should always be imprinted if it is real. The stamp may read “.925” or “ster”. If the item has no markings indicating its authenticity, then be wary.
You can save huge amounts of money with the right sale. Check for great sales online, in the newspaper, and in stores for the best deals. If you buy the older fashions that are from the previous season, you might save 50% or more off the original purchase price.
Untangle your knotted messes of delicate loops. It’s easy to get frustrated when trying to get the knots out of a badly tangled necklace, but saran wrap can come to the rescue. Put the necklace on the plastic wrap and add a little baby oil. Use a sewing needle to untangle the knot. Wash it gently with dish soap and then pat dry.
Know the type of gem you’re buying, when you buy it. There are three unique types of stones: imitation, synthetic and natural. Both synthetic and natural gems are real; however, imitation is simply plastic. Natural comes from the ground, while synthetic ones are created in a lab.
Avoid steam and dry ones.Many pieces can be seriously damaged by extreme heat and humidity.
Chlorine in pools will damage the life and luster of your precious jewelry pieces. Salt water can be equally damaging over time too.Taking it off before swimming will protect their beauty and extend their life.
Always compare prices before purchasing any diamonds. Always see the piece up close, and compare it critically to any others you’re considering. Look out for tricks that make the diamond look better than it is.
When you are purchasing expensive jewelry, you want it to last for many years. While the price tag does frequently denote the quality of a piece, bear in mind that styles will change in the future. Something that you think is trendy at this time may not look so stylish in a couple of years. Look for something classic and trends.
There are very good reasons why rubies are such a classic. While the rubies most are familiar with have deep red color, there are many different shades of this color from maroon to clear deep rose pinks. Rubies are especially hardy and can withstand considerable wear and tear. Their ability to last many years make them an excellent choice for jewelry.
What color gold do they seem to favor – white or yellow? Do they normally wear a bracelet? What type of earrings do they prefer – drop and dangle or studs? Take a mental note of this important information. These types of observations will provide a starting point to purchase an item they’ll cherish.
It is hard to tell the difference between real and fake sapphires and sapphires. The chemical and physical composition of natural and artificial stones can be identical, but cost just a fraction.
A stone that many do not often think of is Alexandrite. This stone actually changes color, and it ranges from a lovely purple to a rich green. It is frequently found in pendants, earrings, and pendants.
If you want to maintain the look of your jewelry, you should prevent it from becoming tarnished. Try to keep your jewelry away from water. Many of the metals become tarnished, rusty or dull when they get exposed to the elements of water. If you are looking to protect your jewelry from the ill effects of water, try applying clear nail polish, just a thin layer, on the piece itself.
This gives you a baseline price as you now have an honest opinion of what that is.
Illusion Setting
Accent a belt with a brooch to add more visual interest instantly. Think about placing it near your hip or at waist level.
If you really want a gorgeous, dazzling diamond, try the uniqueness of an illusion setting.An illusion setting is created by using a mirrored plate on your ring before the diamond being set. The diamond look bigger and magnifies the amount of light it reflects. The only caveat is that repairs on a mirrored setting can be tough to repair.
Shopping for that special diamond is an emotionally charged experience.
Buy jewelry on sale whenever possible. With the right kind of sale, you can save a lot of money. Check the newspaper, the Internet, and signs in store windows to find the best sales. Sometimes, you can save about half the original price on trendy pieces that aren’t as trendy anymore.
You can also purchase the ideal ring in the future as an anniversary gift, or other momentous occasion.
Never clean jewelry at a sink without double-checking that you’ve plugged the drain is securely plugged. It is very common for a piece of precious jewelry to fall from your hands and into the sink when covered with soap. If you don’t want your jewelry ending up down the drain, you will not have the trouble of your jewelry going down the drain.
Take extra care when you are untangling necklaces. While it can be frustrating untangling metal necklaces, consider using plastic wrap. Place your jewelry on the plastic wrap and add a little baby oil. After the necklace has loosened, try to untangle it by hand. If this does not work, consider using a sturdy pin or needle. Be sure to use extra caution due to the slippery oil. Wash any oil residue from the necklace with dishwashing liquid, and gently pat it dry.
Before beginning to clean any of your jewelry pieces, make sure to check for any loose gemstones or breaks that could get worse. If this is the case, take the piece or pieces to a gemologist or a local jeweler and they can clean it for you.
If you wear a diamonds on a day to day basis, the pieces should cleaned by a professional on a biannual basis, preferably every six months, even when they are new. The gemologist will clean your item and inspect it for damage.
Before you purchase a new piece of fine jewelry, think about how you will wear it. You should not have a lot of jewelery that you are never going to put on. Try to match the jewelry that you purchase with your style of clothing.
Choosing the perfect gift for a woman can be hard, but you can’t go wrong with jewelry. These tips can assist you with picking the perfect piece no matter who that lady is, such as your girlfriend, wife, mother, friend or daughter.