Old jewelry can feel outdated, tarnished, and well, just plain old. It doesn’t have to be that way, though. Vintage is very “in” these days and many old pieces can be turned into something new with just a small amount of work. In this article, we will discuss some of the best tips for re-purposing your old pieces.
The world of body piercing has taken body jewelry to new heights. Many people like the feeling of having their tongues pierced, but having metal jewelry in your mouth can be damaging to your teeth. There are many colorful options available for plastic tongue jewelry that is safer for your mouth and won’t make your dentist cringe.
Purchase meaningful jewelry for any occasion. Giving jewelry as a gift leaves a long lasting impression on the intended recipient. However, you can always add a personal touch by having the jewelry piece engraved with a personal message or add a charm of great importance. Personalized jewelry given as a gift always makes a loving gesture.
A great source for unique and inexpensive jewelry pieces are local thrift shops. Local thrift stores can be a treasure trove for antique and truly unusual pieces. Often, these establishments do not have the staff, training or time, that is necessary to check for hallmarks or gold and silver content. A few dollar’s investment can often yield, not only some really unique pieces of jewelry, but also some pieces that may be, quite valuable.
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.
To keep your jewelry in top condition, never wear it to sleep. When you sleep, your body produces a lot of sweat and gives off a lot of heat, both of which can cause serious damage to jewelry. Sweat can cause it to tarnish or rust, while the heat can cause soft metals to deform.
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 you are going to use a jewelry cleaning liquid on your jewelry, it is important that you first read the cleaning instructions very carefully. If you do not read the instructions carefully, you can end up destroying your jewelry. Make sure you follow the directions if you are going to use a jewelry cleaning solution.
Jewelry should never be cleaned with bleach. Bleach damages soldered joints and can eat away at finishes. Jewelry should not be worn in swimming pools for two reasons. Jewelry is easily lost in swimming pools and chlorine bleach is used in the water of pools. If cleaning with bleach, remove your jewelry or wear protective gloves.
Ask your jeweler if they have the current equipment that is used to distinguish real diamonds from those that were created in a lab. Most of the older equipment can detect cubic zirconia, but sometimes they mistake lab diamonds for real ones. Making sure your jeweler has the correct testing equipment can save you from being a victim of fraud.
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.
If you’re hard-pressed for cash and wish to sell your gold jewelry, avoid those TV companies. You’re better off going to a pawn broker. They will pay you full price for melt and won’t be too concerned with making money off of you. It’s very ironic that a pawn broker would give you the better deal, but it’s true.
Sterling silver is a porous metal that oxidizes when it comes in contact with oxygen. To keep your silver jewelry looking clean and shiny, wipe any dirt or other substances off with a warm, damp cloth. Dry it thoroughly and polish with a polishing cloth to restore its natural luster and shine.
Shop early for wedding rings to avoid problems. Since wedding rings can typically take 6 weeks to arrive, the earlier, the better. If you are ordering custom-made jewelry it can take even longer. You may also choose to have the inside of the ring engraved, but be sure to add this to your order to avoid extra time delays.
If you want to make money by making jewelery, but are unsure what to charge for your creations, you must take some important factors into consideration. For example, the cost of the materials is number one. You do not want to cheat yourself by charging less than what the piece of jewelery cost you to make in the first place.
In this article, we have helped you by providing some tips on how to re-purpose old pieces of jewelry. Why throw those pieces out when you can turn them into something you love? With just a little bit of work, minimal cost, and barely any effort, you can make your jewelry pieces new again.