Shopping for the perfect engagement ring can be intimidating for some men. While some women are clear as to their wishes, some men are left shopping blind. There is a lot of pressure to pick a ring that she will love, because she will be wearing this particular piece of jewelry for the rest of her life. This article will give you some tips to feel a little less intimidated while shopping for that perfect engagement ring.
Make sure to regularly polish your metal jewelry. Over time it begins to collect dirt, oil and dust and that affects its sheen and overall appearance. This makes the jewelry look worn and old. Go ahead and refresh those pieces using some simple polish to make them look like brand new again.
Do not purchase any jewelry from retailers in China. This country is notorious for selling fake gemstone and metal jewelry. Oftentimes, the jewelry advertised as sterling silver with real turquoise is just a piece of metal sprayed in silver and the turquoise is a fake piece of plastic. Such vendors may accept returns, but the hassle of shipping it back at your own cost, is usually not worth it. Be aware of scams like this.
When you go jewelry shopping, make sure that it is with people you know and trust that can help you find what it is that you need. There should ideally be at least two people to help you with your shopping experience. The first should be an experienced and trustworthy jeweler. The other should be a loved one or good friend.
When you are shopping for jewelry, make sure that you ask your jeweler the “right” questions about their wares. You need to discuss things like diamond grades. You also need to ask who the graders are of their pieces. Find out what their education and experience is, and see what the guarantees are on whatever their grades are.
Do not use ultrasonic cleaners and jewelry cleaning liquids on your precious and semi- precious gemstones. Most gemstones are easily damaged and their properties become corroded by the chemical properties in jewelry cleaning liquids. Ultrasonic cleaners can shake the gemstone settings apart and deteriorate the glue used to secure the gemstone in the setting.
When making jewelry, beeswax is a wonderful product to use for taming frizzy twine. Just rub a little on to the twine and you’ll have a smooth look in no time. Your beads will go on easier and your piece will have a more elegant, professionally made look.
To create a fashion forward look on a budget, try shopping for vintage jewelry. Jewelry trends are cyclical and stylish jewelry can often be found for cheap at thrift stores. Take the time to sort through the old jewelry at your local thrift stores and flea markets. You’re likely to find some great pieces at a low cost.
You can safely clean your jewelry at home. Mix a small amount of mild detergent in water. Allow your dirty jewelry to soak for several minutes and then gently scrub it with a soft toothbrush. Finish the cleaning by rinsing your jewelry in clean water and allowing it to air dry.
May’s birthstone is the intense green stone known as emerald. If you truly want to express your devotion to a certain special person, be prepared to pay dearly as this particular stone is very hard to come by. Fortunately, emeralds can be created in a lab and are a gorgeous and affordable alternative that would make an ideal pendant or right-hand ring.
When you have opted to purchase a piece of jewelry for another person, always remember to consider the occasion in which you are purchasing for. This way, there is little room for interpretation of what the jewelry item signifies and both you and your loved one will be happy with the overall purchase.
When it comes to taking care of your jewelry be sure that you remove it before going in the bathtub or shower. This is important because not only do you run the risk of losing it down the drain, but the cleaning materials used safely on your body may cause temporary or permanent damage to your jewelry.
When buying jewelry for someone that you care about make sure that you are not stepping over your own boundaries of what you can afford. While most likely you do want to impress the other person, no jewelry purchase will adequately make up for putting yourself at a severe financial risk.
Practice with cheaper copper or steel wire if you’re new to jewelry making. Sterling silver wire is very expensive and messing it up will cost you money, save this for when you become more experienced.
If you have a penchant for vintage jewelry, and authenticity is important to you, then knowing where to shop can make all the difference. Many manufacturers today make new versions of old styles, making it difficult to know whether the pieces you are holding in your hand are genuinely from the flower-power sixties or the the swinging seventies. Find vintage stores in larger cities that separate clothing and jewelry into decades, and inquire ahead of time if they sell any items that are new. Most authentic vintage stores do not.
Remove your jewelry! Now is the time to break the bad habit of sleeping in your jewelry! Jewels and stones can become dislodged by thrashing and turning over, and then become lost in the sheets and bedding. Delicate gold and silver chains are also more easily snapped or broken during the nightly, tossing and turning!
As stated at the beginning of this article, shopping for the perfect engagement ring can be intimidating for some men. There is so much pressure to pick a perfect ring, and with so many different pieces of jewelery out there, it can be hard to know which one to choose. Use the tips from this article to ease the stress of shopping, and guide you towards purchasing that perfect engagement ring that she will be sure to love.
