Jewelry is a great way for many people to express themselves. Jewelry wearers use shiny metals and sparkling jewels to reflect their personality. Sometimes, people have trouble selecting jewelry that best shows their image. The tips in the following article will help anyone who needs when it comes to selecting jewelry.
When jewelry shopping, you need to be prepared to carefully look, and inspect anything that you may want to buy. You need to get a loupe. This is a small pocket-sized magnifier that can show you what kind of quality you will be getting. It magnifies the jewelry so that you can inspect it to see if you are getting something of bad quality or good quality.
You can get jewelry that speaks of ancient and vintage times passed. They take their styling from the Victorian era and other famous time periods. These make perfect pieces to any wardrobe where you want to show some old world class. Popular types include Bakelite jewelry, book chains, cameos, celluloid jewelry, doublets, filigree jewelry, and much more.
Make sure you know what to look for when buying platinum jewelry. Platinum needs to be at least 95% pure in order for it to be considered real platinum. If it’s lower it is platinum alloy. Also, be aware that platinum can develop a patina, which many people feel gives jewelry a nice antique look. This jewelry also does not wear away and is hypoallergenic.
When choosing your wedding band set, keep in mind the jewelry you already own and regularly wear. A yellow gold wedding band isn’t the best choice if most of the jewelry you already own is white gold or silver. You will most likely be wearing your wedding band every day. Make sure it’s not only something you like, but something that matches what you already own.
Never, EVER buy fake jewelry for someone you love! That means gold-plated, cubic zirconia, or gold-filled. Stick to the real stuff – you can get a bargain on real gold, silver, or even platinum if you look hard enough. Fake jewelry can turn the skin black or green, and that is the LAST thing you want to do!
When you choose to make a jewelry purchase as a gift, do so from a store that allows you to make returns! You never know when someone just won’t like what you pick, and it’s a lot easier to take them with you when you return the piece to pick out something they like.
What style of jewelry you choose for your wedding should be influenced by the style of your dress. If you have a high neckline then you can forgo a necklace and instead have drop earrings with a lot of sparkle. Long sleeves will usually mean you don’t want to wear a bracelet.
When deciding on the jewelry for your wedding, check out the differences between purchasing and renting. If you are only planning on wearing these extravagant pieces once, then renting may be your best bet. However, if you feel you would wear it again, or want to keep it as a memento, buying may be the best choice.
If you’re having a difficult time finding that perfect piece of jewelry, consider buying a stone and visiting with a specialist. A jewelry specialist can design a setting just for you, in exactly the way you are envisioning it to be. Your piece will be unique and possibly more valuable because of it’s one of a kind nature.
Keep your silver jewelry untarnished and clean. Your pieces do not look good when they are dirty. You can clean them at home using toothpaste or baking soda. Lightly scrub with the toothpaste or soak in baking soda overnight. You will wake up in the morning to clean shiny silver.
Purchasing a piece of jewelry is a rather hefty decision based upon the price tag of the item. When you are in the market for a piece of jewelry, take the time to figure out what you are looking for, the budget you are allowing yourself, and what overall quality you seek in the item.
Try to have the wedding band and engagement ring soldered at least a week before the wedding. This way your bride will not be stuck at the alter fussing around trying to fit the rings together. Getting this process done before the wedding will also make the pictures look great because you will have already had the rings polished as well.
When shopping for jewelry, keep in mind the “cost per use” factor. If you will only wear those gorgeous, dangly diamond earrings a handful of times, calculate how much money you are paying for each time you wear them. Pieces that you wear daily — like your wedding ring — are worth spending more money on, because your cost per use will be lower, and they will see more wear and tear.
With some consumer purchases, warranties and extended care plans are not worth the money. This is not the case with jewelry! Jewelry can last a lifetime – or longer – if it is well-maintained. Purchasing a service plan along with a piece of jewelry is a wise investment, as repair work, resizing and resetting can extend a piece’s life significantly.
Store your jewelry carefully. Avoid jewelry boxes that just mash everything together. Each piece should be placed carefully on its own, since pieces touching one another could get scratched or etched. Keep sterling silver jewelry wrapped in special cloth that prevents tarnishing and always make sure they are put away dry, never wet.
If your jewelry is set in marcasite, clean it by wiping a soft, slightly damp cloth across the stones and the setting. Immediately after, it should be dried thoroughly with a soft microfiber cloth. Avoid exposing the stones to harsh chemical jewelry cleaners, hot water, or steam cleaners.
Jewelry is great for people who wish to express themselves. Wearers reflect their inner personality with precious jewels and metals. It can be troublesome to find jewelry that best shows ones image. With the tips found in the article, selecting jewelry to express oneself and match their personality will be easier.
