Are you buying or selling jewelry for the first time? You probably don’t even know where to start. It’s no secret that buying or selling jewelry for the first time can be a bit overwhelming. Below are some tips that can help to make getting either process a tad bit easier for you.
Only purchase jewelry from well known retailers. If you are looking to purchase gold, silver or platinum make sure that the retailer has a professional set up and that their products come with a guarantee. Do not purchase from unknown vendors who claim that the jewelry they are selling at a discount price is made from real precious metals or gemstones, they are often imported fakes.
Attending yard-sales is a great way to build up a collection of jewelry. Many people sell old costume jewelry for practically pennies. This is a perfect opportunity to stock up on broken pieces that can be repaired or made into new jewelry later. Many new beautiful pieces of jewelry can be born of old broken pieces. Use yard-sales to build up your collection.
Buy dainty jewelry for slender women, and chunkier jewelry for a larger lady. If your wife is petite, then a tiny watch is appropriate. Buy the same watch for your six-foot tall spouse and it might not even fit on her wrist! Whatever you do, DON’T buy men’s jewelry for a woman! She’ll know the second she lays eyes on it and could be offended.
In order to save money on the purchase of jewelry you should consider looking at local antique shops. Many people sell their antique jewelry to the shops when they are in need of money or if they have inherited it and just don’t want it. There is no reason to pay the high markups that come with jewelry.
Find out what the ideal methods are for maintaining each piece of jewelry you own. Every metal, setting, and stone has different requirements when it comes to care. What works for a certain kind of stone may not work for another. Talk with a professional if you aren’t sure what sort of care each jewel requires.
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.
If you buy a diamond labelled as antique, research it. You should get a certificate of authenticity with your diamond. This should be from an independent source. Antique diamonds need to be at least a hundred years old to be considered antique. The diamond should also be from a recognizable European art period.
As you have seen, buying or selling jewelry is not as intimidating as they may appear at first. Just think of all of the benefits you now have by knowing more about jewelry in general. You can now make smarter decisions when you buy or sell to avoid losing money.