If you are completely new to the world of buying or selling jewelry, then you are probably thinking that some tips on what you need to know about jewelry will help you immensely. Listed below are some tips to help get you started with your jewelry buying or selling endeavors.
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.
Store your jewelry in felt. It is always annoying when a piece of your favorite jewelry starts to tarnish. To keep it from tarnishing, just make sure you store it properly. Use a felt bag or even a jewelry box lined with felt. It will help to keep the jewelry from tarnishing.
Create wire jewelry. There are so many resources available to help you get started. You can buy the supplies almost anywhere, charms, beads, dangles, special clasps plus much more. It does take quite a bit of practice, but it can be a fun hobby or even a career if you perfect it.
Sites like Etsy have a wide selection of handmade jewelry. You can find many unique, one of a kind pieces, but be careful. Some sellers may use pendants or other findings that can be widely purchased in bulk or from craft stores. Read reviews or search for similar items to make sure you’re getting the best value.
If you have a ring that’s too large, you don’t have to pay to get it re-sized. You can get a ring guard. A ring guard is a small, plastic tube with a slit. Press the ring into the slit, and the plastic will make the ring fit tighter. You may also be able to buy a multipack of different sizes and shapes.
Buy brightly colored jewelry to pair with the same black clothing. The same little black dress can seem like a completely new and exciting outfit simply by adding different accessories. Brightly colored jewelry will stand out against a dark color as well as giving you a dynamic look.
If you are not too fond of wearing a wedding or engagement ring on your finger, you can always put it on a chain. This is a safe way to ensure your ring will not fall off. Also, by putting your ring on a chain, it will not be in the way of your daily activities.
Clean your jewelry with warm water and mild soap, rinse it out, and then dry thoroughly. It also helps to polish the piece of jewelry with a soft cloth. Excess water remaining on jewelry in storage can tarnish precious metals, sometimes beyond repair. A soft cloth can also help to restore luster and shine to your jewelry while removing excess water from the piece.
To best protect the investment you made in your jewelry purchase, take care of it. Do not wear it when you do something like cleaning your house. If you do this, the chemicals you expose your jewelry to could harm the precious metals and stones. It’s likely worth the minute that it takes to remove it.
Read all your warranties and guarantees. Carefully paying attention to all the details in both of these can help you prevent any major issues from coming up. If you find any issues in the warranties or guarantees, you can correct them before you take the jewelry you’ve bought out of the store.
Buying used jewelry is an option to consider, as well. Used jewelry can be found in consignment and pawn stores, art galleries, estate sales, jewelers, or in some cases, yard sales. Before you consider used jewelry, research the type of piece you think you are looking for, so that when you see it at one of these places, you will be able to determine if the item is indeed legitimate or just a reproduction.
Every necklace, bracelet or anklet can benefit from a quality clasp. Unless your necklace or bracelet has a durable closure, you risk losing expensive or sentimental pendants, stones and charms. For very expensive necklaces and bracelets, at least one safety clasp is recommended. Some people choose to use additional safety clasps in order to keep their priceless pieces safe while they have them on.
If you have gold jewelry, you should try to avoid storing them in areas around diamonds and other hard gemstones. These hard stones can scratch or damage your gold. If you keep your gold away from hard jewelry, you can keep your gold looking better for longer.
You don’t have to buy expensive cleaning solutions to clean your jewelry. Warm water and a few drops of dish-washing liquid is sufficient for cleaning gold, diamonds, and most gemstones. Harsh chemicals can damage the finish of your jewelry.
When selling jewelry online, you should make sure you provide information about yourself using an artists statement or a written presentation. You want to include your background, training, awards, organizations you belong to, and more. You need to make a personal connection with your customers because this connection will make it more likely that they purchase an item from you.
Jadeite is a popular stone for jewelry because it is tough and durable and comes in a very wide range of colors, from the classical apple green to a pure white, deep yellow, fiery orange, deep purple, and everything in between. It is frequently carved into bracelets or very ornate pendants, or insets.
As you can see from the above list of tips, buying or selling jewelry can be quite an adventure, as there is so much to learn about before starting either process. After following these tips, you will no longer be new to buying or selling jewelry, but you will become an a bit of a jewelry expert.