Jewelry is more than a simple purchase, it is an investment in precious metals and gems and an acquisition of heirlooms for generations to come. If you intend to get the most out of your investment, there are several things you need to know about purchasing and owning jewelry. This article serves to provide you with that knowledge.
Try keeping up with jewelry trends. Like with fashion, jewelry also follows seasonal trends and you can find a style and color combination that is right for you. You can even find specialty items that go with clothing pieces in your own personal wardrobe. The possibilities and combinations are endless.
Native American jewelry has a rich history in American culture. The colorful beads and designs tell stories of generations past. Jewelry was an important part of most Native Americans heritage, with beautiful pieces dating back thousands of years. These same styles and designs are still popular and in high-demand today.
Jewelry is often very difficult to purchase for a friend or loved one because there are as many different styles and types of jewelry as there are people to wear it. Bracelets are a great solution for many and are available in a huge variety of styles made for the fanciest of occasions to casual every-day wear. Plain silver and gold bangles are a staple for most women, but charm or sliding-bead style bracelets offer the buyer and the wearer the ability to completely customize the bracelet, as well as give the presenter a whole host of additional gifts to give in the future with the purchase of more charms or beads.
Making your own jewelry is easier than you think. You can find interest pendants at craft stores that can be placed on chains you already own or you can easily buy an inexpensive chain. If you knit or crochet, you can use yarn to create chokers and bracelets. Even if you buy and combine store bought items, making your own jewelry still allows you to design what you wear.
Buy real gemstones, not fake knock-offs. Real gemstones, like diamonds, give off a gorgeous sparkle that can be spotted from a mile away. Fake gems are dull and glassy and aren’t even worth wearing. If you can’t afford a real gemstone, why not buy Swarovski crystal? They’re gorgeous, too, and have their own special sparkle to share.
When buying vintage jewelry, become familiar with the different time periods associated with each piece. A Victorian era piece may interest you more than one of a different era, so knowing the differences will help you be able to quickly spot the pieces you are most interested in purchasing, rather than spending lots of time browsing.
Make sure you give yourself adequate time when ordering a new jewelry piece. Most pieces have a turn around time of six to eight weeks. This can become a problem quickly if you need the jewelry for an important occasion. Make sure you give yourself extra time on top of the proposed time-frame.
Cure the green skin of copper jewelry easily. When you wear jewelry that has a copper base you may soon find yourself turning into a martian. The green is caused by the metal oxidizing. Stop it in its tracks by applying clear nail polish to any jewelry surface that will be touching your bare skin.
Don’t worry about how much your jewelry costs. What is most important is that the pieces you choose reflect your individuality. It doesn’t matter whether you paid one dollar or a thousand, if you love the piece wear it with confidence. It is also perfectly acceptable to mix high and low cost jewelry.
Avoid letting your jewelry come into contact with chemicals, such as those found in hairspray, lotion, perfume and other products. Some chemicals can stain or otherwise damage precious metals and stones. Porous stones like pearls, opal or turquoise should not be submersed in water for long, either, to prevent damage.
When making a jewelry purchase, make sure that you educate yourself about it. It is especially important when you are buying any types of gems and especially diamonds. By educating yourself, you will be able to understand what the jeweler is telling you and you will be able to make a decision based on your knowledge and not what the jeweler tells you is best.
The jewelry looks great on you, but the allergic reaction it causes, does not. If this is a problem that you have faced, you may want to try using clear nail polish. This gives a protective barrier from the metals that could irritate your skin. You just put a coat of polish, on the area of the jewelry that is most likely to come in direct contact with your skin.
As you are now aware, there are a myriad of things to know about purchasing and owning jewelry. Getting the most from your investment not only provides you with wealth, but also allows you to pass down high quality heirlooms for generations. If you simple follow the tips from this article, you will be sure to get the most from your jewelry.