Jewelry making is fun, creative, and can also prove to be a great source of income. Getting started can be a daunting task. What supplies should you buy? What tools do you need? In this article, we will discuss some of the best jewelry-making tips, as offered by the pros, to help you get your hobby or business underway.
Do research on your fine stones, especially if you engage in regular activities that may chip or completely cause them to break into pieces. Not all stones are created equal. Some quartz, peridot, amethyst, to name a few, are among the most fragile stones and will require very gentle wear, care and storage.
Like with any important purchase, make sure that you are purchasing your jewelry from an experienced jeweler, one who has a solid reputation. You need one that you can trust and who can help you find what you need. They need to be friendly too, and not just another salesperson pushing what they think you should buy. It may even be wise to spend a little more in an established store, than to risk buying what seems to be the same item from someone spurious.
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.
When choosing earrings, test the weight in the store. You can’t–and shouldn’t–try them on, but holding them in your hand may be able to tell you if they’re too heavy for all-day wear or just too heavy. Heavy earrings will eventually become painful. No matter how nice they look, you won’t want to wear them if they’re not comfortable.
When on vacation, pick up a beautiful piece of jewelry as a thank you to your wife. She may be on vacation, but chasing after the kids or hosing them down after being at the beach is no picnic. Buy her something to remind her of the good times you’ve had together on your trip.
When buying jewelry, you may want to consider semi-precious stones. Semi-precious stones can be found in a wide variety of colors, cuts, and price-ranges. Not only will you be able to get more for less, but, since many people choose precious stones, your semi-precious gemstone jewelry may seem ever rarer than diamonds!
To wear jewelry without feeling uncomfortable, choose looser fitting pieces. While more restricting pieces like tight bracelets or chokers may look great, you won’t be able to look your best if you’re not comfortable. Light, loose necklaces are totally on trend and can be worn all day without causing you to experience discomfort.
When it comes to wearing jewelry, your best bet is to always keep it simplistic. A simple necklace and a couple of rings provide a sleek look. One bracelet with a simple pair of earrings is fashion forward all the time. Don’t over do your jewelry and the focus will remain on you and your most special pieces.
View the gemstones in correct lighting, with the right background. Diamonds or other gems should never be viewed on a black background. Black backgrounds alter your perception of a gems real shine and color, so you may make a purchase and later realize that the stone is not as clear and perfect as you originally assumed.
When you go to make a new jewelry purchase, you need to give yourself a strict budget. It can be extremely easy to overspend on an awesome piece of shiny jewelry. It will be a lot harder to enjoy later if you do not stick to your own budget goals.
If your jewelry has gemstones, you should not soak your jewelry when you are trying to clean it. Gemstones can absorb water and soap, causing them to lose their natural color. When you are cleaning gemstones, you should use a damp cloth to scrub it clean so you can preserve your jewelry’s natural luster.
While gold is often mixed with other metals in large amounts, platinum tends to be more pure. The most popular type is 900 Platinum, which is 90 percent platinum. Since there is so little of other metals used in the pieces platinum is considered hypoallergenic and is the preferred metal of people with allergies.
Even though some people use toothpaste to clean their gold, silver or gemstones, jewelers do not recommend this practice. The abrasives in toothpaste can scratch the surface of precious metals and gemstones. To restore the jewelry back to its original, unscratched condition will require buffing and refinishing by a professional fine jeweler.
Don’t be afraid to play with different textures in your jewelry designs. Incorporating different types of beads (crystal, pearl, seed beads, glass, plastic, etc) will add a degree of interest to any piece. Adding in alternative materials, like metal rings and even fabric, will help you to create memorable, one-of-a-king jewelry pieces that will be sure to wow.
Whether you’re a man or woman shopping for jewelry, avoid asking store clerks how things look when you try them on. To make a sale, people are obviously going to be very flattering with you. A false sense of confidence here can result in a really bad purchase that you’ll end up regretting later.
Jewelry making can be fun and creative. It’s something that is both enjoyable, and can be profitable. In this article, we have discussed some of the top tips, as offered by the pros. Use them wisely to help get your hobby underway, or to start that lucrative business that is all your own.
