A great way to dress up a simple outfit is with a piece of metallic jewelry. You don't have to spend a lot of money to get a dramatic piece that everyone notices. You can find necklaces and bracelets at outlets and big box stores that will work but are not fine jewelry. When you decide to invest in quality jewelry, like sterling silver 925 however, you want to make sure you are getting something authentic.
If the piece you are looking at is stamped with a . 925, 92.5, or 925 hallmark, that is a good indication that you have real sterling silver. This is only true however, if it is an American piece. The stamp indicates the presence of ninety-two and a half percent silver. The remaining percentage is some other metal, usually copper, to strengthen the piece.
When you are in the market for a quality metallic piece of jewelry, you should avoid anything that is described as plated. Plating is a coating of metal over the piece. The actual piece could be made out of any kind of less expensive metal such as nickel or copper. After you have worn the jewelry for a while, it will tarnish, and the coating will wear away.
Even if you're not spending a lot of money, it's a good idea to check the quality of necklace or bracelet clasps and chains. Clasps should feel secure when closed and open without difficulty. Chains should not have bends or kinks. You can check that by laying them on a solid surface to see if they will lay flat. New metallic jewelry is shiny. Vintage jewelry often is not.
Most experts suggest buyers avoid departments sales, or at least be aware that they often substantially mark up their merchandise. This may be why they are able to offer frequent and deep discounts on the items they sell. Independent jewelers don't mark up their jewelry as much, but they also don't offer much in the way of sales.
If you love vintage metallic jewelry, antique shops, thrift stores, and flea markets are great places to find them. Sometimes you can find rare and unusual pieces for a fraction or what you would pay for new ones. Older jewelry can be a lot more interesting than their modern counterparts. When you see a person with a striking piece of jewelry, you might ask where they got it.
You can find anything online, but you have to be smart about what you purchase, especially if you are looking at expensive metallic pieces. You have to depend on the photos and descriptions, which can be deceptive. The seller should be willing to discuss the pieces you are interested in and have a reasonable return policy.
When you are buying trendy jewelry, choosing less expensive pieces is usually a good idea. If you want a classic piece you will wear for years, you should look for signs of authenticity and quality. Otherwise, you are just wasting your money.
If the piece you are looking at is stamped with a . 925, 92.5, or 925 hallmark, that is a good indication that you have real sterling silver. This is only true however, if it is an American piece. The stamp indicates the presence of ninety-two and a half percent silver. The remaining percentage is some other metal, usually copper, to strengthen the piece.
When you are in the market for a quality metallic piece of jewelry, you should avoid anything that is described as plated. Plating is a coating of metal over the piece. The actual piece could be made out of any kind of less expensive metal such as nickel or copper. After you have worn the jewelry for a while, it will tarnish, and the coating will wear away.
Even if you're not spending a lot of money, it's a good idea to check the quality of necklace or bracelet clasps and chains. Clasps should feel secure when closed and open without difficulty. Chains should not have bends or kinks. You can check that by laying them on a solid surface to see if they will lay flat. New metallic jewelry is shiny. Vintage jewelry often is not.
Most experts suggest buyers avoid departments sales, or at least be aware that they often substantially mark up their merchandise. This may be why they are able to offer frequent and deep discounts on the items they sell. Independent jewelers don't mark up their jewelry as much, but they also don't offer much in the way of sales.
If you love vintage metallic jewelry, antique shops, thrift stores, and flea markets are great places to find them. Sometimes you can find rare and unusual pieces for a fraction or what you would pay for new ones. Older jewelry can be a lot more interesting than their modern counterparts. When you see a person with a striking piece of jewelry, you might ask where they got it.
You can find anything online, but you have to be smart about what you purchase, especially if you are looking at expensive metallic pieces. You have to depend on the photos and descriptions, which can be deceptive. The seller should be willing to discuss the pieces you are interested in and have a reasonable return policy.
When you are buying trendy jewelry, choosing less expensive pieces is usually a good idea. If you want a classic piece you will wear for years, you should look for signs of authenticity and quality. Otherwise, you are just wasting your money.
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