Tips For The Beginner: How To Purchase Jewelry

Jewelry is always a great gift that will be kept and cherished forever. Too many gifts have a limited time to be used and will be discarded eventually but never jewelry. Inexpensive jewelry can be the perfect gift to commemorate special events. This article can help you to make great choices when it comes to buying jewelry.

There are two types of categories that jewelry falls under. Fine jewelry is jewelry made from silver, gold or platinum and is combined with any precious or semi- precious gemstones. Jewelry classified as costume is any form of jewelry made from low cost metals that contain only a silver or gold surface finish as well as synthetic or plastic "gemstones". Both categories have their pros and cons, and it really depends on personal taste and budget that helps determine which to buy.

Make sure you know what to look for when buying platinum jewelry. Platinum needs to be at least 95% pure in order for it to be considered real platinum. If its lower it is platinum alloy. Also, be aware that platinum can develop a patina, which many people feel gives jewelry a nice antique look. This jewelry also does not wear away and is hypoallergenic.

If you are not too fond of wearing a wedding or engagement ring on your finger, you can always put it on a chain. This is a safe way to ensure your ring will not fall off. Also, by putting your ring on a chain, it will not be in the way of your daily activities.

Part of selecting your wedding jewelry should be taking into consideration when youre getting married. Sparkly jewelry, like dangling diamonds, look best when light is coming from all directions, as it would in a night ceremony or reception. Daytime weddings, especially outdoors, tend not to highlight this kind of jewelry as well.

Save your broken beaded necklaces to give them new life. Do not let them fill a sacred box in your bedroom. Go in your bathroom and grab the dental floss. Use it to restring your necklace and it will likely last longer than the original string lasted on the piece.

You do not have to spend a mint on your jewelry. Dont underestimate a classy piece of costume jewelry as a perfect accent for your best outfit. There is a large variety of great stones that are inexpensive. If you keep your eyes open you can acquire gems at crystal prices.

When purchasing diamond jewelry such as engagement rings, earrings, necklaces and bracelets, knowing the 4 Cs of diamonds are important. The 4 Cs include: Cut, Clarity, Color and Carat. Some jewelers also like to add a fifth C which is Certificate and it is the grading report on the quality of the diamonds in your piece of jewelry. Knowing the Cs of diamonds will make you a more knowledgeable customer.

Exercise

Rings, bracelets, necklaces, and other jewelry should be removed prior to participation in any physical work, exercise, or team sport. Sweat and oils can damage your jewelry. Also, increased physical movement makes it especially easy to snag prongs or dislodge stones from their settings. Furthermore, jewelry that has fallen off during activity is less likely to be found afterward.

Remove your jewelry before exercising and place it in a safe place. During exercise, gold and silver jewelry can get scratched, and prongs on rings can be broken. Some types of precious and semi-precious stones can also scratch during exercise. Some jewelry, such as necklaces or rings, can catch on exercise equipment and that could be dangerous. Also, perspiration can make your jewelry dirty.

As expressed in the beginning of this article, jewelry is always a great gift and for many different reasons. Birthstones, engraved pieces, charm bracelets are all inexpensive but can often be a favorite gift of the recipient. By using the information presented in this article, you are sure to find just the right piece of jewelry for any occasion.