Selling and buying and maintenance of jewelry is a big business in today’s economy, and you can either benefit from it, or you can lose out. Whether you are interested in a private collection, or are looking to make some money, how can you be sure that you are making the best choices? Here’s some useful advice that can help you to do well.
Save some of your most fragile jewelry for special occasions only. Some fragile stones like opal and peridot should only be worn for special events and then carefully stored until the next occasion. This may seem irritating since you want to be able to wear your best pieces, but it can prolong their life if you avoid exposing them to harm too often.
Try adding some industrial metals to your collection. There is more to metal jewelry than just gold and silver. Industrial metals include stainless steel, titanium, tungsten carbide and tungsten. Industrial metals provide a much nicer shine and are more durable and less susceptible to damage. Titanium is known for being more lightweight, stainless steel and can be polished until it practically glows. Tungsten carbide can resist scratches for a long time, as well as being a dark metal.
Buying used jewelry can be a great way to expand your options without spending a lot of money. Look for estate sales or yard sales. Depending on where you live, prices may be lower than antique stores (which use the name “antique” to charge a bit more). Browsing in person can be a fun way to find things you might not have thought to go looking for.
One “old fashioned” piece of jewelry that you might want to reconsider wearing, is a watch. Younger people are used to using their cell phones or other electronics to tell time, but in certain situations, it may be more appropriate or more professional to wear a nice watch. You don’t want to be constantly checking your watch at a job interview or a formal event, but wearing one sends a certain message.
If you’re making wire jewelry and don’t have wire cutters, just use a pair of fingernail clippers. The fingernail clippers are small and great for fine cutting. They will be able to manipulate through most sterling silver wire with ease. The fingernail clippers will no longer be useful for your nails though, because wire will dull them fast.
In order to save money on the purchase of jewelry you should consider looking at local antique shops. Many people sell their antique jewelry to the shops when they are in need of money or if they have inherited it and just don’t want it. There is no reason to pay the high markups that come with jewelry.
Buy your stones loose when you are creating your own jewelry designs. You will be able to pick out a stone that best reflects your desires. Once you find the perfect stone, your ideas for a perfect setting will be much easier to decipher. Any good piece of jewelry starts at the stone.
To help you clean and maintain your jewelry in top condition, remember to polish your gold and silver with a jewelry polishing cloth. Alternatives, such as a regular cloth or paper towel, have the potential to damage your gold or silver because they are not gentle enough for these delicate precious metals.
Use jewelry in a bold, unexpected color to pick up an accent color in your outfit. If you are wearing a skirt with a floral, plaid or striped print, match your necklace, earrings or bracelets to a color used in the design. This is a great way to add more color to an otherwise subdued outfit, and it can pull your look together nicely.
If you have your jewelry insured, be sure to take good pictures of it. This will help when dealing with the insurance company in case something should happen to your jewelry. It can really help speed the process up and help you get through the insurance red tape. It also helps document what you have in case your home gets broken into.
When you are making a jewelry purchase, it is important to feel a level of trust and understanding with the salesperson you are working with. If you do not feel comfortable with the salesperson helping you or they are not grasping the concept of what you are looking for, do not hesitate to ask for someone else to assist you with your purchase.
As you begin to shop for diamond jewelry, you will notice that most pieces are presented against a black velvet background. Viewing a diamonds in front of a black surface can actually alter your perception of the clarity and cut of the diamond. Instead, ask to view the piece against a lighter-colored surface and under magnification. This gives you a more accurate visualization.
As you shop for pearls, you have three options: natural, cultured, or imitation. Imitation pearls are by far the most affordable, but are also noticeably less lustrous than other choices. Natural pearls are rare and will cost you a fortune. Cultured pearls, on the other hand, are somewhat affordable, highly attractive and creamy in appearance, which makes them the best option for many buyers.
Ensure the success and profitability of your wholesale jewelry business by doing your homework and comparing multiple potential vendors and suppliers. Comparison shopping can help you to find the best deal, even if you believe your first vendor under consideration may have the lowest prices. The lower the price, the higher your profit.
For a quick, simple, retro look, choose a length of attractive ribbon that matches your outfit to wear as a choker. Various colors of lace ribbon are also very attractive when used in this way. This charming look from the 70s is easy and inexpensive to achieve and surprisingly fetching.
Navigating all the options that are open to you in the area of jewelry can be a minefield. However, if you are well-informed you can make good decisions and end up with a nice, and valuable, collection.
