Sunday, September 2, 2012

For The Love Of Jewelry: Your One-Stop Guide

As fun as planning to buy or sell your own jewelry may seem, you need to do some research to begin and to avoid losing a lot of money. Another thing is that you need to understand what to look for when you're buying or selling. These tips below can help you start.

Take special care of your opals. Opals are delicate gems and can be discolored, scratched, or otherwise harmed very easily. Avoid exposing them to direct sunlight as this can discolor them. Never use an ultrasonic cleaner or expose them to high levels of heat as this can ruin their luster.

Use jewelry to add a signature flair to your wardrobe. Fashion accessories give a unique stamp to classic silhouettes that are worn by many people. How you adorn this classic look is what makes it yours. Let your jewelry reflect your personal style whether its bohemian and eclectic or clean and simple.

Save some money when purchasing new pieces of jewelry by waiting for the right season. Timing is everything to retailers, especially after major gift-giving holidays like Valentine's Day. Retailers often stock up on pieces that are projected to be big sellers, only to find that they are overstocked when "the day after" comes crashing down. Keep your eye on pieces that may go on sale after holidays, or just surprise yourself with a hidden gem that you never noticed before.

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.

When shopping for jewelry for your wife or girlfriend, consider her lifestyle and hobbies. If she tends to dress conservatively and enjoys traditional and classic styles, opt for diamond studs, simple chains, or tennis bracelets. If she constantly changes up her look, consider jewelry with interchangeable pendants, stones, or beads.

If you are purchasing a gem, do not be tempted to get imitation jewelry. This is little more than plastic, and there are many affordable options that you can choose instead. Consider buying a synthetic piece of jewelry; although these are produced in a lab, they are real gems, and they are as beautiful as anything found in nature.

When searching for antique jewelry to invest in, make sure you know what defines a piece as being an "antique." Generally, an item is deemed to be an antique if it is 100 years or older. This can be difficult to ascertain, so you will need to either shop at a reputable antique store or do extensive research on your own. Details to look for include clasps, hooks, engravings and hinges.

A quick and cost effective cleaning solution for fine jewelry requires little more than toothpaste and a toothbrush. While toothpaste should not be used on costume jewelry, it works great for brightening up silver, gold and gemstones. The small bristles on a toothbrush also penetrate and clean filigree style settings far better than a cleaning cloth.

Buying jewelry online? Read the reviews first! Online stock photos of jewelry can oftentimes be deceiving, and what you get may not be what you see in the photos. If you are unsure, ask questions from customer service before ordering. Reading reviews and asking questions is a sure way to know exactly what jewelry you are receiving.

When you are buying jewelry, quality counts. You should always take your budget into consideration when choosing what to purchase. However, you need to make sure that you do not sacrifice quality in the process. As a general rule of thumb, always buy the best piece of jewelry that you can afford at the moment.

When buying jewelry it is important to remember that you can finance it. There are a lot of jewelry stores who offer in house financing for their customers. That means that you could get a loved one jewelry that they have always dreamed of and pay for it over an extended period of time. Financing helps to make gift giving a little bit easier.

If you are passionate about wearing and selling jewelry but lack the time or materials to make your own, many companies offer opportunities to sell their rings, necklaces, and bracelets in an Avon-inspired business arrangement. Authorized representatives, with marketing help from the parent company, build clientele and sell pieces for a percentage of the selling price.

Once you have decided that you are going to purchase a piece of jewelry and are ready to start shopping, consider taking a friend or family member with you. This way, you have someone else to bounce ideas off of and another viewpoint for the items you are considering.

If you are purchasing jewelry as a gift try to be sneaky. Use a friend, or snoop around when they aren't looking to find their jewelry size. You wouldn't want to spend all the time and effort on jewelry for that person and then come to find out it doesn't even fit them.

If you want to purchase a piece of jewelry that is sentimental and not necessarily ornate, opt for a solid sterling silver, white gold, or platinum band without stones. Have a name, date, or personal message engraved on the inside of the ring, pendant, or bracelet to add an inspiring, personalized touch.

Try mixing and matching your jewelry pieces for a whole new look. You may have purchase some jewelry in sets and feel like you should always wear those same items together. However, if you mix and match your jewelry, you will find you can create new and exciting looks that you had not thought of before.

While figuring out the best way to buy or sell jewelry was pretty exciting, you should feel better that you know how to do them better. You can now apply your newly acquired knowledge either to buying a new piece for yourself or selling more pieces you have to make more money.

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