There is no such thing as knowing too much about jewelry. If you make a purchase that isn’t wise, you could be out hundreds or thousands of dollars. What follows are some common sense jewelry tips that will help prevent you from making these costly mistakes. This information will help you choose and take care of your jewelry pieces and avoid some of the more common mistakes.
Use a polishing cloth to keep your jewelry clean and free from damage. This helps keep your jewelry shiny without the need for chemical cleansers, which can damage the pieces. It’s easy, just use the dual-sided cloth to wipe down your jewelry, just as you would polish a beautiful glass. Use a two-sided cleaning cloth, one for polishing and one for shining.
If you are shopping unmarked sterling silver jewelry, then by all means bring a magnet. Take the magnet with you to find fake pieces of jewelery, sterling silver will not stick to the magnet. Look for the hallmark stamped on the piece of jewelry to determine what percentage sterling silver it is. If the piece you’re inspecting doesn’t carry such a mark, be careful, as it is likely a fake.
You should always store your jewelry very carefully. It is best to use holders, compartments, boxes, and hooks so that everything is kept separate. Do not just throw them into piles in a box. Heavy pieces should not be placed in the same compartment with fragile pieces.
If you like to collect costume jewelry pieces, become very choosy about each piece’s condition. Many costume pieces are a great investment and can be quite costly, but costume jewelry that has too many signs of wear will not keep their value over time. A good piece will give you many years of happiness and even gain value over time.
Inquire about insurance for your jewelry when you purchase it from a jeweler. Insurance policies allow you to bring a defective or broken piece into the jewelry store for repair. For more expensive pieces, look for a jeweler that offers insurance for lost or stolen items.
You should ensure the quality of the pieces of costume jewelry that you purchase for your collection. Costume jewelery pieces can be expensive but they are not worth the investment if they look too old. A piece in good condition will be much more resourceful to you in the future.
Now that you’ve reached the end of this article, you are better equipped to select the perfect gemstones, beads or fine metals in jewelry. A beautiful jewelry piece is an investment that has proven itself over time to be an excellent choice.