Basic Things To Know When It Comes To Jewelry
There are many different types of jewelry for every style. There is sure to be some type of jewelry that suits you. Read these tips to learn more about what kind of jewelry is right for you, and what fits best with your lifestyle, habits, and level of care you wish to take.
To get the most bang for your buck when buying silver jewelry, know what each designation means. For example, silver that bears a “925″ stamp is 92.5% silver. Meanwhile, jewelry marked “fine silver” contains 99.9% silver. The higher the silver content, the more likely your jewelry is to retain its value.
Sterling silver jewelry makes a great investment. Pieces of jewelry made from sterling silver last for a lifetime and provide endless elegance. Sterling does tarnish, but can be quickly shined up using a polishing cloth. However, pieces of sterling silver jewelry that have specialty coating can last ages without tarnishing.
When buying jewelry for others, do your homework first. Find out their favorite colors, preferences between gold, silver, white gold or platinum and ring size. Buy real gold rather than plated. Same for gemstones, it’s better to buy more modest pieces with real gold and genuine gemstones. Also make sure you find out the jeweler’s return policy.
If you are looking to purchase sterling silver jewelry online, make sure to also purchase a silver acid testing kit. Such kits are widely available online as well for under ten dollars. They provide a safe way for you to acid test the jewelry you receive to make sure of its authenticity. This way, if you are purchasing a vintage piece that may not be hallmarked, you are still able to know that you have not been scammed.
If you have nice jewelry, chances are you will want to clean it from time to time. You will want to use a mild soap and warm water, rinse, and then use a soft cloth to polish it. Always dry your gold and silver jewelry before you store it to keep it from tarnishing and to prevent water stains.
Gold
When looking to invest in fine jewelry, understand the different price ranges different metals and gemstones fall into. For example, understanding that opal is very expensive, you can already figure out if you see someone selling it for under twenty dollars, it is a fake. Knowing that sterling silver is a lot cheaper than white gold, but quite similar in appearance, can help narrow down your price when looking to invest in a nice pair of earrings.
You should always remove all of your jewelry before doing the dishes, bathing, showering, or entering a pool or hot tub. The chemical ingredients found in some body washes, shampoos, and pool cleaning chemicals can damage delicate gems, metals, and settings after prolonged periods of time. This is especially true of white gold.
If you are purchasing jewelry strictly for adornment purposes, you should buy 10K gold. The reason is you will get a much better price on 10K gold than on 14K or 18K. Even though the purity level is less, 10K gold will still wear well and hold up over time.
If you are in a pinch for money, you can sell your gold items for cash very easily. Gold and gold price is sold based on its weight. Most dealers will use troy ounces for measurement purposes, so be sure to pay attention to how your dealer is weighing your items in order to get more for your pieces.
To help you find the best price on your jewelry purchases, you should know what you are buying. If you are buying gold jewelry, is it 10K, 14K, or other? If you are buying diamonds what is the size? the clarity? the cut? Knowing the specifics will enable you to make a like comparison between difference pieces of jewelry, and be a smart shopper.
As you can see, there are many different types of jewelry readily accessible to everybody. Use these tips to pick the right combination of materials, style, and price that are right for you. Jewelry is easier to care for than one might think- find the perfect piece, and wear it often.