Buying or selling jewelry requires a lot of research and understanding to get what you want or what you need. It can be overwhelming to know exactly where to start.
Avoid using harmful substances like bleach, ammonia, acetone, turpentine and the like to clean them. Harsh chemicals will dull your stones and dissolve the enamel on your jewelry.
When storing your jewelry, be sure that you store it in a place with low humidity and free of open air. A drawstring bag or closed box offers the best protection from moisture in the air. Humidity and air tends to cause precious and non-precious metals to tarnish. It’s possible to restore precious metals through polishing, but lesser-quality metals may suffer permanent damage.
When shopping for sterling silver jewelry, it is a good idea to bring a small magnet along with you. To spot scams, see if the magnet attracts the piece. If it does, then shout “FAKE!” at the top of your lungs and move to the next store. You can recognize sterling silver by stamps that say ‘.925’ or ‘ster’. If your silver is not marked, it could be because it is not real!
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 that is in excellent condition will increase in value.
Wearing the jewelry yourself can help you decide if it will be appropriate for your intended recipient. You’ll also be able to get a better idea of the piece’s durability.
Utilize the advice in this article so you can make the right choice next time you buy jewelry. These tips could save you a lot of money.
