Anyone who has ever had to navigate the endless number of jewelers and retailers, in search of the perfect piece of jewelry, can tell you how difficult it can be. Save yourself the hassle of making an unwise purchase by brushing up on these tips for shopping for jewelry.
When buying an engagement ring, be sure that it can be returned. Many people just assume that their boyfriend or girlfriend will say yes when they ask them to marry them. If they say no, you want to make sure that you will be able to get your money back on the ring.
A busted clasp or tarnished chain does not necessarily spell the end of your favorite piece of jewelry. Look for ways to adapt pendants, beads, or accents into a new form. A sparkling, distinctive brooch can be threaded onto a delicate gold or silver chain, then worn as a necklace or bracelet.
If you love to shop for amber jewelry but are worried if it is true amber, there is a simple test to prove if it is real. If you use a hot needle and barely touch the stone, real amber will smoke and will smell. However, plastic melts and produces an ugly black spot.
Know yourself and be true to your style and preferences when considering a jewelry purchase. An artsy, Bohemian turquoise necklace that looks fantastic on the Volkswagen-driving mom down the street will not get much wear on your own body if you leave the house every day in a business suit with pumps. Don’t be tempted to think you’ll wear a piece of jewelry that is contrary to your inherent personality.
If you love the look of a diamond but can’t justify paying the exorbitant price, look for reasonable alternatives with a similar appearance and lower price. Consider rings, bracelets, and necklaces that feature sparkling crystals, white topaz, cubic zirconium, or even lightly colored rose quartz. While they have a lower resale value, they are priced much more reasonably.
Essential to anyone buying jewelry for reclamation purposes is a pocket-sized gram and carat scale. While a scale can’t determine the purity of the gold and silver you encounter in your jewelry hunting, a pocket scale can at least give you a basic starting point to determine fair pricing and valuing of your jewelry finds.
Some people have a sensitivity to many metals that precludes them from wearing much metal jewelry. The miracle of modern engineering has developed some hypoallergenic metals such as surgical stainless steel or titanium that are better suited to many of them and allows them to wear chain necklaces, traditional-looking rings, and earrings.
Now that you have learned some of the best and brightest tips for finding the perfect necklace, brooch, or bracelet, you are sure to make more informed decisions regarding your next jewelry purchase. This advice is sure to help you put a smile on someone’s face as you give them the perfect gift, even if it’s a gift for yourself.