Jewelry is always a great gift that will be kept and cherished forever. Too many gifts have a limited time to be used and will be discarded eventually but never jewelry. Inexpensive jewelry can be the perfect gift to commemorate special events. This article can help you to make great choices when it comes to buying jewelry.
When you are shopping for jewelry in sterling silver, be sure to examine the piece closely, and take along a magnet for metal testing. You can tell if a piece of silver is sterling or not by using a magnet. Sterling will not react to the magnet, but non-precious metals will be attracted. You can generally tell genuine sterling silver by its stamp, which will look something like “.925 ster.” If a particular piece is not stamped, you should be cautious of its authenticity.
Don’t discard your antique broach from Grandma, re-purpose it. If you put a chain through it, the broach instantly becomes a fashionable necklace. Vintage jewelry is extremely popular these days and finding a way to make it wearable makes it fashionable. Re-using is also a popular concept in our “green” society. That broach can serve you well with just a slight alteration to its use.
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.
If you’d like to show off your hairstyle, try wearing jewelry that compliments your hair’s color. Green or aqua stones set off red hair beautifully, while jewel tones brighten darker locks. If you have fair hair, a clear sparkling stone like a diamond can make it shine, while a dark stone adds great visual contrast.
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.
When you are giving a piece of jewelry to a significant other, you must do detective work as soon as you have an idea of the type of jewelry you will purchase. The real challenge is finding out exactly what that piece of jewelry should be. You should try to notice what kind of jewelry your significant other wears to get an idea of the piece of jewelry you should purchase.
Many types of metals will quickly tarnish when exposed to air for prolonged periods of time. One of the easiest ways to avoid this is by placing them in an air-tight location. A great and simple solution is purchasing small zipper plastic bags and then carefully sealing your jewelry inside them.
If your jewelry is causing skin irritation, there are certain steps you can take to minimize it. You can use a small amount of powder on the skin in the area the jewelry will be touching. This helps absorb moisture, which will then lessen the chances of allergies or irritation.
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.
If you want to give jewelry to someone as a gift, be very careful. Giving jewelry is a very meaningful gesture: make sure you are giving something that says exactly what you meant. Types of jewelry, colors of stones and price tags have a meaning. Ask for advice if necessary.
As you shop for pearls, you have three options: natural, cultured, or imitation. Imitation pearls are by far the most affordable, but are also noticeably less lustrous than other choices. Natural pearls are rare and will cost you a fortune. Cultured pearls, on the other hand, are somewhat affordable, highly attractive and creamy in appearance, which makes them the best option for many buyers.
When choosing jewelry for a bridesmaid in a wedding, always coordinate with the dress. Especially important is to match necklace length to the neckline of a dress- try to choose necklaces that reach about halfway from chin to the top of the dress for a spectacular and balanced effect.
Moonstones make a great, easy to care for alternative to more delicate, multicolored stones like opal. The play of color is just as gorgeous, though the background color tends to be very pale white, grey or blue. However, you do not have to worry about the stone cracking from dehydration.
Nephrite is a popular stone used for jewelry. It is very tough and durable, and comes in a wide variety of colors, the most popular of which is a deep opaque green. It is frequently carved into ornate shapes and used as a pendant in a necklace or as insets in other jewelry.
If your jewelry-buying goals get ambitious and you are dead set on a piece, a little outside of your price range, always economize by selecting lower-karat gold, instead of getting plated pieces. Plated jewelry may look superior to impure gold, but its beauty is too fragile and short-lived. Once a plated piece begins to deteriorate, nothing can be done to salvage it.
As expressed in the beginning of this article, jewelry is always a great gift and for many different reasons. Birthstones, engraved pieces, charm bracelets are all inexpensive but can often be a favorite gift of the recipient. By using the information presented in this article, you are sure to find just the right piece of jewelry for any occasion.
