Thursday, April 18, 2013

The Frugal Person's Guide To Buying Jewelry

Purchasing a piece of jewelry is an excellent way to show someone that you care, regardless of the occasion. No matter the price or size, your jewelry gift will be well received and treasured for many years to come. Reading this article will expand your useful knowledge of jewelry, whether your own or if you are picking a gift. To distinguish between real and fake, bring a magnet when you shop for sterling silver jewelry. You can tell if a piece of silver is sterling or not by using a magnet. Sterling will not react to the magnet, but non-precious metals will be attracted. Sterling silver will always be hallmarked with a stamp such as .925, ster. or sterling. Be wary of jewelery without any kind of hallmark, as often it is fake. One key thing to remember is to only put your jewelry on after you've applied your makeup. Any kind of spare dust or oil will attach itself to your jewelry, so putting it on before makeup will just make it look a little dirty. Earrings and necklaces are the prominent pieces affected by this. Alexandrite is a beautiful stone that is often overlooked for jewelry. One of the great aspects of this stone is its color-changing ability, depending on whether you are indoors or outdoors. It is often found in earrings, rings, and pendants. Before putting fine jewelry up for sale, get it professionally appraised by a gemologist. You need to get an accurate appraisal, so that you know what you can sell it for. Special care is required for costume jewelry. These pieces are often put together with glue, which does not last as long as other methods. Keep your costume jewelery away from water or chemicals. Simply wipe it with a damp warm cloth, followed by a soft, dry cloth. This will help your costume jewelry to continue looking great. Regular cleanings are crucial to keeping your jewelry beautiful. Don't be careless if your jewelry is broken or has loose pieces when you clean it. It is sometimes a better idea to have a professional jeweler care for your valuables, even for what you may consider a simple cleaning job. Any time you want to buy an extra special gift, jewelry is an obvious choice. These tips can help you find the right jewelery that will complement the special lady in your life.