Accessorizing with jewelry is a skill and an art! The dos and don’ts for jewelry can change over time. Learning what to do need not be intimidating! Following is some of the information available to guide you with your choice of jewelry:
When jewelry shopping, you need to be prepared to carefully look, and inspect anything that you may want to buy. You need to get a loupe. This is a small pocket-sized magnifier that can show you what kind of quality you will be getting. It magnifies the jewelry so that you can inspect it to see if you are getting something of bad quality or good quality.
Men are very picky about the jewelry they wear, especially when they are gifted some that may seem feminine. When selecting jewelry for a man, make sure it something that goes with the way that they dress. Also, when selecting what you will get for him make sure that it is subtle and not flashy.
If you want to buy one of the ladies in your life a piece of jewelry, but don’t know her size, just sneak something out of her jewelry box that she already wears. That way you can have that item sized and get her the perfect jewelry in the perfect size – she’ll be totally amazed!
When choosing an outfit for work, think about what jewelry may or may not be appropriate. Accessories can make an outfit seem more finished, but some items may not be appropriate for your place of work. Check to make sure that all of what you’re wearing fits with your work’s dress code.
If you own gold or silver jewelry be sure to take it off when you shower, sleep or submerse that area of your body in water. By doing these things you will prevent the jewelry from varnishing faster. The beauty of fine jewelry is it’s sparkle and gleam.
Beware of wearing hemp jewelry if you plan on swimming. Though hemp jewelry can be very beautiful and appealing when you are dry, you can quickly find yourself in dire straights. Hemp shrinks when wet and can quickly become too tight for you. Be especially wary of hemp choker style necklaces.
After every time that you wear a piece of pearl jewelry, you should make sure that you wipe the pearl down with a wet cloth. This will help the pearl from getting too dry which can cause it to become brittle. Keep your pearl looking great when you keep it moisturized.
Consider purchasing pearl jewelry. Pearl jewelry provides a sophisticated look, and it is relatively inexpensive. Do not buy natural pearls, which do carry a high price tag. Search for cultured pearls; you want to find ones that look shiny and are not dull or murky looking. Consider going to a jeweler so that you are less likely to be sold a fake item.
Make sure that you get everything that the jeweler told you in writing before you buy a diamond. This is important in case you find out that the diamond you were sold is not what they said that it was. Your receipt will be the only proof that you have.
Always make sure you are getting your money’s worth. You can find jewelry for all kind of prices: look for the best quality possible for the amount of money you wish to spend. Do not pay too much for something you know is not worth it. If a price sound too low, you are probably mistaken about the quality.
Use broken jewelry as well as odds and ends jewelry pieces to glue onto a picture frame to hold a special photo. A clear silicone is all that is needed to create a dazzling frame just perfect for a wedding photo or use old costume jewelry from the right era to surround a photo of a favorite grandmother. Jewelry-covered frames make gorgeous gifts too!
There are very good reasons why rubies are among the most popular gems to be used in high quality jewelry. Although true rubies are a rich, bright red, many stones are available in color variations that range from rosy pinks to deep maroons. Rubies are very durable and withstand considerable wear and tear. Rubies are a good choice because they are both beautiful and strong.
A great choice for jewelry is Marcasite. It has all the sparkle of cut stones, but is much cheaper than most other traditional options. It is much more durable than rhinestones and is widely found in costume jewelry and inexpensive pins. It offers a great backdrop that doesn’t outshine more expensive outfits or central stones.
Labradorite makes a popular and easy to care for alternative to multicolored stones like opal. It has a similar play of color, although the primary color that reflects off of labradorite is blue, rather than all colors of the rainbow. However, you don’t have to keep it moist to prevent it from cracking.
When photographing jewelry, lighting is key. By now you know that your camera’s onboard flash is horrible. Too harsh, too bright for close distances, is impossible to previsualize and is likely in the wrong place. For jewelry, use continuous, diffuse (soft) lighting on stands. Photographic daylight-balanced fluorescents are recommended as they remain cool. Note that even those fluorescents will need some kind of diffusion.
With some consumer purchases, warranties and extended care plans are not worth the money. This is not the case with jewelry! Jewelry can last a lifetime – or longer – if it is well-maintained. Purchasing a service plan along with a piece of jewelry is a wise investment, as repair work, resizing and resetting can extend a piece’s life significantly.
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.
So, now do you have some ideas? Enjoy your choice of jewelry! If you see some tips that will be of value to you that is great! Remember, accessorizing need not be intimidating!
