You must know what you’re doing or do the research prior to shopping for jewelry in order to make a good purchase. This can make it hard to know where to start.
Avoid using harmful substances like bleach, ammonia, acetone, turpentine and the like to clean them. These can erode both the color and the materials of your jewelry.
Keep jewelry stored safely and away from both air and humidity. A drawstring bag or closed box offers the best protection from moisture in the air. All metals will tarnish if they are subjected to too much air and humidity. Precious metals, through some work and polish, can be restored to their original condition. Non-precious metals are coated, which means that polishing will allow copper metal to come through.
Every piece of jewelry should last you a life-time. It is important to invest in a quality piece of jewelry, so only work with respected and reputable jewelers. High-quality jewelry is durable and displays excellent craftsmanship. A jeweler should know about each piece he sells, including the person that made it, the origin of precious stones or other materials and other history, such as previous owners for antique or estate pieces. When you chose a high-quality piece, you know your jewelry will last forever.
When you’re considering a diamond purchase, plan on shopping around and making comparisons. Take a very close look at the piece you like, and then make the comparison to any others on your favorites list. Beware, there are many tricks to enhance the look of a sub-par diamond.
If you wish to keep a piece of jewelry looking fantastic, preventing it from tarnishing is important. Try not to wear jewelry when you are around water. If you let some metals get wet too often, they can tarnish, rust or become dull. Use a thinner coat of your clear nail polish on your jewelry for extra protection.
If you want to collect costume jewelry, concentrate on getting quality peices. Costume jewelry can prove to be a good investment, but worn, broken, or otherwise damaged pieces are not worth the expense. Investing in quality means that you can enjoy the jewelry for many years to come.
Research the proper methods for cleaning your jewelry. Different styles of jewelry affect the way they need to be cared for; one type of metal will need a different treatment than another, for example. A jewelry cleaner that is safe for one type of gemstone may damage another kind. If you can’t find proper treatment methods, try consulting with a professional jeweler.
Through work, effort, and research you can be a success at buying and selling jewelry. We have provided you with some great tips that offer a solid starting point. Use them well and you’ll be on the way to successful purchases and sales.