In the world of buying or selling jewelry, there are plenty of great resources available to both new and experienced people in the market. This set of tips contains some of the best advice for helping you buy or sell jewelry.
When storing your jewelry, be sure that you store it in a place with low humidity and free of open air. To maximize protection, put your jewelry in a jewelry box or a small drawstring bag. Precious, as well as non-precious metals, will tarnish if they are exposed to humidity and air over time. Precious metals are able to be polished and retain their luster, but the non-precious metals have a coat, and polishing will cause the metal under it to show through.
Make sure to keep regular tabs on the state of your jewelry. You need to constantly assess the condition of your pieces to catch any issues or damage early. It is best to catch them early because this is when you should get them fixed to avoid major or irreversible damage, or even losing the item.
Try opting for silver over gold. The olden days of silver being a lesser metal than gold are over. Silver is also consistently priced, while gold continues to rise in price. You don’t have to worry about karats with this metal. Just make sure to avoid nickel silver or German silver as they contain no real silver.
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.
Feel comfortable in your jewelry venue of choice. If you feel that the seller may be trying to get you to buy a piece you are not interested in, walk away. Some jewelers are paid on commission, so the more they sell you, the better they are paid. Take this into consideration when choosing a jeweler.
If you are giving jewelry as a gift, it is easy to make interesting and unique gift boxes that will leave an impact! You can find plain jewelry gift boxes at any craft and hobby store. After you have your plain gift box, head to the scrapbooking aisle and pick out some sticker packages that match the type of mood you want the gift box to convey. Decorating the plain box with these stickers gives it a nice decorative touch without breaking the bank.
When buying jewelry as a gift, it is important to consider the body type of the person you are shopping for. Some body types look better with larger or smaller pieces of jewelry. Considering the body type of the recipient would make a big difference concerning whether they will actually wear the jewelry.
Deep, rich blue sapphires are commonly known as the birthstone for those born in September. Their dark, mysterious coloring is often thought to have protective powers over anyone who wears the gem in their rings, bracelets, or brooches. Blue sapphire nicely complements purples and deep scarlet accents and looks beautiful with all settings, but especially platinum or 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.
Sizing rings is a very important process in the purchase of rings, especially when purchasing engagement or wedding ring sets. An improperly sized ring can cause damage to the ring itself. If it is too large, the owner runs the risk of losing the ring. Make sure the sizing is correct, even if the ring is a surprise. It is better to be safe than sorry!
You should learn how to use the jeweler’s magnifier (loupe) so that you can see the inside of the stone and check to see if there are damages or chips on the inside of it. If there are any chips or damages that will greatly reduce the value of the stone.
If you get dirt inside of all of the little areas on a piece of jewelry they can be very hard to clean. The best thing to do is to heat it in a glass dish of soap and water on the stove and then brush it clean with a toothbrush. Make sure you do not let the soapy mixture come to a boil because it can cause damage.
Take care when cleaning pearls. They are porous and soft, meaning they can get scratched easily. Clean them with a gentle damp cloth after wearing, and store them in a breathable bag (not plastic). Try to keep them in a room that maintains a regular temperature. Always put your pearl jewelry on after applying lotion or perfume, as contact with these products can diminish the luster.
After reading these tips, you can begin to understand what it takes to become a more informed buyer or seller of jewelry. There is a lot of information to be had and you need to know how to apply it. With this in mind, you can refine your own methods and strategies so that you can either buy that perfect piece or you can sell more pieces to make bigger profits.
