Jewelry is one of the most ancient and long-lasting decorative art forms in the world. For countless generations, people have bought and given jewelry to beautify each other, commemorate memorable occasions, and pay tribute to important relationships. Read this article for some useful hints for joining in the historical family of happy jewelry owners.
When looking to invest in jewelry containing sapphires, opals or rubies make sure that you understand what lab created means. Lab created gemstones are grown in a laboratory using scientific means. Jewelry that you see labeled as lab created such as sapphire has never seen Mother Nature. If you are looking for natural gemstones, you may be paying a higher price and spend significant time looking for a vendor outside of your local mall.
If you’re trying to buy a diamond on a budget, look for one that has slight inclusions and is a less than perfect color of white. Often times, you cannot even see the inclusions and “off” color with the naked eye, but it can save you hundreds or thousands on the price of the stone.
Don’t buy any jewelry that could easily be broken, or the recipient could end up disappointed. Many pendants come in tiny little chains that are so frail that they break right away, and if your loved one loses their new diamond pendant, they’ll be heartbroken. If the chain is inadequate that comes with a pendant, buy a larger chain or just buy a different pendant!
To help you make chainmaille jewelry, it is important that you choose your tools wisely. The handle of your pliers should fit comfortably in your hands and the tip should be sturdy. This will help you to manipulate the wire with the most ease and comfort, preventing unnecessary strain and pain.
To open a jump link when making chain jewelry, hold the jump link steady with pliers your left hand, and grip the opposite side of the opening with pliers in your right. Gently twist your hands towards each other. This twisting action helps the jump ring maintain its circular shape without distortion, which will occur if you try to push the sides together without twisting.
If you choose to make and sell jewelry at craft bazaars or flea markets, take time to ensure that each piece has a clearly marked price tag that cannot be tampered with, yet can be removed without damaging the merchandise. Although nobody likes to think that theft can happen to them, it is best to protect your investment of time and money.
If your crystals have dirt in hard to reach places, you should soak your jewelry in warm water with mild detergent. Then you should use a toothbrush to carefully scrub your jewelry off. This process will safely get rid of dirt on the outside of your jewelry, without damaging your precious crystals.
Never rely on brand names to determine the true value of a piece of jewelry. You will often pay more for name brand jewelry, and it is unlikely that others will recognize the name associated with your new piece of jewelry unless you tell them. Excellent quality can be found from a lot of different jewelry brands.
Be ready to make alterations for your customers. People do not want to buy something that everybody has, or that will not fit them right. It is relatively easy to make a bracelet or necklace longer or shorter. Offer these alterations for free or at a small price and your customers will be satisfied.
When trying to think of new jewelry designs, just look around you! You’ll be surprised at how easy it is to find inspiration from nature and your surroundings. Take photos of things that inspire you to make your jewelry so that you can reference it with ease later. You can find inspiration for a number of things, including color palettes and shapes.
To get cheaper rates on your jewelry-making supplies, try to take advantage of discounts and sales. Several chain hobby and craft stores sell basic supplies that you can use when making jewelry (such as thread, pliers, beads, etc), and these frequently can go on sale, sometimes up to 50% off. If you need to purchase items that are not sold in local stores, do research online before settling on a place to purchase from.
When attempting to polish your silver jewelry, it’s always a great idea to soak it in a solution of water and white vinegar. Stay away from cider and wine vinegars. Go with white vinegar only. This will remove tarnish from your jewelry and give it a million-dollar shine in only a few short minutes.
Deep green jade is a stunning focal point in oriental rings, earrings, and necklaces and requires a delicate touch when cleaning and caring for the stones. Do not ever soak the stone in water as this can damage the surface. Instead, wipe the stones with a soft, damp cloth. Finally, use a second, dry cloth to wipe away excess moisture.
If you are looking for diamond brilliance without the price tag, consider purchasing an illusion setting. Illusion settings have a mirror beneath the diamond. The diamond is mirrored when on your hand so that it appears larger and more sparkly. However, keep in mind that repairing this type of ring can be difficult.
If your dream wedding band is not in the budget, consider buying smaller and upgrading later. Anniversaries and other occasions will provide ample opportunity to give more special, unique gifts such as the ring you originally desired. Some jewelers have buy back programs so you can trade in one ring for a larger one.
While styles and fashions change, jewelry itself is here to stay. You and your loved ones can hardly get through life without acquiring at least a few pieces of jewelry. Ideally this article has shown you a few handy ways to improve the jewelry-owning experience. When it is treated properly, jewelry can become your most valuable and enduring possession.
