Questions About Jewelry? Try These Tips!

No matter why you are buying your jewelry, whether for yourself or as a gift, it is important to know the proper way to care for jewelry as well as buy and sell it responsibly. This article will provide you with tips and tricks to get the most from your jewelry shopping time and efforts. mike dillard

If you are shopping for sterling silver jewelry, you'll need a magnet and an eye for the real thing. Jewelry made with non-precious metals will be attracted to the magnet, revealing any fakes. You can identify sterling silver by its markings, for example "sterling," "ster," or ".925." If you cannot find a stamp, you might be looking at a cheap imitation.

Spend within your means when purchasing jewelry. Getting yourself in a lot of debt just so you can own an incredible ring is a terrible financial decision. When just starting out, a young couple might be better served getting a cheaper ring. As they get older, they can upgrade to a ring that fits their improved financial situation.

Make sure you know what kind of gem you are getting when you are buying jewelry. There are basically three distinct types: natural gems, synthetic gems and imitation stones. While natural and synthetic stones are the real deal, imitation stones are made to look like a real gemstone, but could be anything from colored glass to plastic. Natural stones are found in the earth and are mined out, while synthetic ones are grown in laboratories.

If your heart is set on owning a piece of jewelry that is well outside your price range, remember that you can have a more affordable reproduction made. Usually, a picture will be sufficient to create the replica. Take the photo to a jeweler or jewelry store. They can take it from there and create an identical gold-plated piece of jewelry which can save you money.

Take off loose rings before doing dishes or laundry. Soapy water makes it easier for rings to slip off and be lost for good down the drain.

When you are ready to buy a piece of jewelry, think about what you are going to be doing with it. There's no sense in spending a lot of money of pieces that you'll never wear. Bear in mind the contents of your wardrobe before you purchase a piece of jewelry.

When you are purchasing jewelry, you should avoid making a purchase simply because it carries a particular brand name. There are probably not going to be many people that recognize that the piece is anything special due to the brand, and you are likely going to pay far too much money for it. There are excellent quality jewelry pieces from various brands.

The shape and shine of a diamond means more than the size. You also need to think about who is going to receive this ring.

When you are looking for new jewelry, the first thing to do is to check what is on sale. If the sale is a good one, you can save a lot of money. Watch for sales in the newspaper, on the Internet, and even in the stores themselves. Sometimes, buying fashions that are out of style can save you more than half of their original price.

If you are shopping for gemstones, you have two options: natural or synthetic. There is basically no difference when you look at these gems. The cost is the big difference between the natural and created stones. The natural stones are significantly more expensive than the lab-created stones.

Jewelry can be overwhelming to anyone; there is a wide range of prices, styles and care that needs to be considered. This article will give you the advice you need when you are facing a jewelery dilemma. mike dillard