It takes some know-how to choose the best jewelry pieces. There is so much to learn, it can be hard to decide where to start.
Make sure to store your jewelry away from humidity and air. It’s best to store it in a closed box, like a jewelry box, or a drawstring bag. Both air and humidity can lead to tarnished metal. Precious metals can often be polished to remove most tarnish. Non-precious metals often have a single coat of metal. Therefore, polishing them can remove the coat and show the copper that is found underneath.
When purchasing sterling silver, take along a good magnifying glass, along with a small magnet. Magnets attract non-precious metals, and you can use this fact to detect fakes. Another way to tell if a metal is sterling silver is to check for a hallmark stamp, for example .sterling, .ster, or .925. If the piece you’re inspecting doesn’t carry such a mark, be careful, as it is likely a fake.
Have a unique piece of jewelry made for the special person on your gift list. Giving a gift that requires thought and creativity will make it even more special.
Putting on jewelry only after you have put on makeup and fixed your hair will keep it from being exposed to chemicals that could tarnish it. The small particles of powdered makeup can easily dull the shine of your jewelry. This tip especially applies to necklaces and earrings.
Investigate your gemstone to determine if it has been treated before you purchase it, and what type of treatment it had. Different treatments come with different requirements for cleaning and storage. Knowing the proper care techniques for your gemstone will prevent you from accidentally damaging it by stripping it of its protective treatment.
So, as you have seen, it is true that buying or selling jewelry requires research, work and effort so that you can buy the pieces that you want, or sell the pieces you have, for profit. Use the information you’ve learned in this article to make successful jewelry acquisitions.
