Jewelry is very personal. Every one has their own thoughts and preferences when it comes to what they buy and wear. There are still some general rules of thumb, though, that can help you when it comes to choosing jewelry. Here are a few tips to help you on your way.
Avoid harsh chemicals like bleach, ammonia and acetone that may permanently damage your jewelry. Chemicals can eat away the stones or enamel on your stones.
Much like a bride’s dress, wedding jewelry may have to be adjusted and sized, therefore you should choose your jewelry as soon as your dress choice has been made. Your best estimate is that when your dress is done, your jewelry will be sized correctly as well, so include that in your time management planning.
If you are buying your jewelry from a pawn shop, check their qualifications. Find out if they have experience with jewels, certifications, or if they work with gemologists. A pawn shop that works with these items on a regular basis should be qualified to appraise and sell jewelry at proper costs.
When you are looking at buying any type of jewelry, be it costume or vintage, it is important to remember that just because a piece may be signed, it does not necessarily mean it is more valuable. Some jewelry creators sign every piece they make, which drops the value of a signed piece dramatically.
Create a vintage Victorian look with jewelry you already own. Layer several necklaces of different lengths and materials together. If you don’t have any long necklaces, consider fastening several shorter ones together end to end. Thread a piece of ribbon or lace through them and add a cameo pin clipped to one side to finish.
Water is typically enough to clean most types of jewelry and precious stones. Simply use a damp cloth and wipe off any kind of residue or dirt that is on the jewelry. If there are any more stubborn problems, you can use a very light cleaning detergent to remove these issues.
When making a jewelry purchase, make sure that you educate yourself about it. It is especially important when you are buying any types of gems and especially diamonds. By educating yourself, you will be able to understand what the jeweler is telling you and you will be able to make a decision based on your knowledge and not what the jeweler tells you is best.
When you are purchasing a piece of jewelry, an important thing to consider is the return policy of the store. By looking into the return policy of the store, you can be more certain in the quality of the item you are purchasing if you are not satisfied after your purchase.
Remove rings and bracelets before using bleach products. Bleach can damage jewelry, causing irreparable damage. This includes washing powder, liquid detergent, and even bathing in a chlorine treated hot tub or swimming pool. If you happen to get any kind of bleach product on your jewelry, wash it immediately using clear warm water, and dry with a soft cloth.
Wear original jewelery that attracts attention when you have a simple outfit on. As an alternative, pair the ornate jewelry with something as simple as a “little black dress”.
If you love making jewelry, don’t neglect “found” items in your designs! You can use all kinds of interesting tidbits to add flair and originality to your creations. For example, vintage buttons can make some very nice earrings! If you’re into kitch, a collectible soda pop cap can make a cute pin! Be open-minded and creative to craft handmade treasures that will really stand out!
Pearl jewelry is a versatile addition to a wardrobe and can complement many colors and styles. While natural pearls come in a small range of colors, including black, grey, white, cream, golden, pink, and coral-colored, a popular modern modification is to dye them different colors, such as a deep wine red.
Hematite is a popular choice for modern jewelry. It is a silvery gray stone with lots of almost metallic-appearing sparkle, but doesn’t have the disadvantage of corrosion or easy denting. Look for it in rings as the primary component as well as the central stone of pendants, rings, and earrings.
When buying jewelry be sure and know what you want before you go into the shop. It is easy to go into the jewelry shop with one idea and walk out with a ring that you do not particularly like. Stick to your guns and walk out with the ring you always wanted!
Surprise your girlfriend by buying her extravagant jewelry. A surprise jewelry gift is something practically every woman dreams about. You can see someone’s face light up with joy when you hand them a gift.
If you are drawn to old silver jewelry, then do not lot tarnish deter you from adding a new piece. Doing away with even years of tarnishing takes little more than a dip in a liquid silver cleaner followed by a buff with a treated polishing cloth. You’ll be amazed at the difference.
If you are looking to upgrade your wardrobe but are on a budget, using costume jewelry is a great and cost effective way to create different and exciting looks. Shop at flea markets, thrift stores and even garage sales to come across unusual pieces for absolutely affordable and unbeatable prices.
When buying jewelry, always apply the, “too good to be true rule.” That means if you are offered a deal that you believe cannot be possible, then it probably is not a good deal. You are likely being offered some inferior product not worth what you would be paying for it. You need to run from these deals.
In jewelry, what works for your neighbor may not work for you. You have to truly get a feel for what you want and what you can afford. Learning more about jewelry is a great first step into obtaining the types of pieces that will fit in your world. Hopefully, you feel a little more confident now, to go out and buy some baubles.
