Showing posts with label Jewellery. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jewellery. Show all posts

Tips When Buying Secondhand Jewellery

Buying secondhand jewellery can be costly if you don't know what you are doing and what to look for. The information in this article will give you sound advice how to source secondhand jewellery safely without being overcharged and specific guidance on what to look for on jewellery pieces.





1) Don't rush and take your time when searching for secondhand jewellery. Secondhand jewellery sellers are unlikely to give you the best deal as they have to make a profit themselves. Ask around to get some ideas on where to buy or look at consignment jewellery stores if buying in bulk.





2) Try to research for the actual value of the jewellery that you are looking for. For example, if you want to buy a certain type of ring, find out first how much a new one costs so you don't end up buying a secondhand one at the full retail price!





3) Learn how to distinguish real gold and jewellery from fakes as there are less than honest dealers who will gladly take your money! When buying secondhand gold it's always a good idea to take a magnet with you because if it's attracted to the magnet it isn't gold because real gold is non metallic. It's always a good idea to take a jewellery expert with you who can help you avoid paying more than you should. You might have to pay for their time but it will be worth it.





4) When looking for silver look for marks on the inside or clasp. If the jewellery is marked 800 it is considered 'coin silver' and is 80% silver with 20% alloy. Jewellery marked .925 is usually sterling silver and .950 is usually a little better quality and found in older jewellery.





5) If you think you are looking at unmarked sterling silver and you can see a layer of metal on top of another you obviously aren't looking at sterling silver.





6) When buying secondhand jewellery avoid buying clarity enhanced diamonds, If you are not sure ask because clarity enhanced diamonds are sold for lower prices than those that are not enhanced.





7) Only buy jewellery where you are given a warranty. If the seller refuses to give you one, look somewhere else! If possible buy from someone you know and trust. Read as many resources as possible and consider learning how to use a jewellery loupe or magnifier. Always ask questions and you will soon gain the experience and knowledge you need to buy secondhand jewellery at the right price.


How Well Was Your Jewellery Made

How often have you become very irritated trying to do up or undo that wretched clasp on a favourite necklace, such as those fiddly clasps so beloved of mainstream jewellers. If you are of advancing years, unfortunately your jewellery stays in its box far too often as you simply can't bothered to do it up.





The answer is the hook clasp - a wonderful clasp much overlooked by the jewellery industry, it's a simple hook which doesn't require much handling. It is a really easy type of clasp to use and the weight of the necklace ensures that the clasp remains closed. Another added benefit of a hook clasp is that it can be used with an extender chain, this is a very useful addition to a necklace which ensures it is worn in the correct length just suitable for you. A magnetic clasp is also easy to use but can't be worn by anyone with a pacemaker and also it is only suitable for lighter necklaces.





Of course for bracelets the hook clasp is not so ideal as it can come undone. For bracelets, a toggle clasp, or a trigger clasp with an extender chain are more ideal as these are the easiest to do up one handed and an extender chain makes for the perfect fit.





Another feature which you should look for is how the jewellery has been made, and does the shopping website tell you this at all? Maybe they don't think it is important but it certainly is as you should know what you are buying. For example the best beading wire on the market is extremely supple, so supple you would think that thread or silk has been used. So why should you buy a necklace only to find you are tugging on it to straighten it out because it was strung on poor quality, stiff beading wire. Also, heavy pearl or gemstone beads on poor quality wire will stretch the wire too so it is important that the right width of wire was used.





Similarly how has the necklace or bracelet been finished off at the clasp tells you a lot about the care that has gone into its making and the risk of it coming apart. What holds the necklace together are something called crimps. Sometimes they are covered by a silver or gold round bead but often they can be seen. If they are viewable and have diagonal markings, or if two large crimps are used side by side then the maker has placed the best crimps that are available on the market on the necklace and it should be extremely secure.





Always ask questions wherever you can to establish you are getting well made jewellery.


Jewellery for the Modern Man

Jewellery is the not only for woman anymore. Some men are connoisseurs of mens fashion jewellery. In the early ages, no men except the King used to flaunt jewellery. As times have changed it is now not only acceptable, but fashionable for men to wear jewellery. Men are now sporting jewellery to help enhance their look and style.





Talking about mens fashion jewellery and accessories, there is a wide variety in ranging from necklaces, rings and bracelets to sunglasses, watches and more. So if you are conscious about the way you look, you will enjoy shopping from a wide range of jewellery exclusively for men.





Diamond is widely popular when it comes to expensive mens jewellery. Wearing a diamond not only distinguishes your class but also helps to create a fashion statement adding to your overall personality. Diamond studded mens jewellery is a great attraction for women nowadays.





Many leading brands have launched trendy mens jewellery. Mens fashion jewellery must be matched carefully if you want to get noticed. Among rings, one of the most sought after ring for men is the Brushed Stainless Ring. It is made up of stainless steel, the design is very simple, and this simplicity has a very different appeal. The finishing is done to impart a smooth texture on the ring and as it is made of stainless steel, so it inherits a natural polish. The Sting Ray ring is also very nice and is made of stainless steel. The insert is textured and it follows the style of a Stingrays skin.





Wristband is another popular item in the men's accessory. The Black Plaited Leather wristband by Alraune Lapidaris is very stylish as it is made up of black leather that is plaited. The magnetic clasp is made of brushed stainless steel and the length of the bracelet is 21cm.





Among all the bracelets for men, one of the most popular one is the Brown Plaited Leather. The most attractive feature of this is the chrome identity strip with two rows of leather that is plaited. The length of the bracelet is 20cm and it has a locking magnetic clasp. In addition, the most fashionable bracelet is the Triple Link Stainless Steel and Carbon Fibre Screw. The triple links with the crew detailing that this bracelet boasts is the most stunning feature. The length of the bracelet is 21cm and it has a width of 0.08cm.





The Brown Cord and Gold Beaded Wrap Bracelet made of coloured cords with gold styled beads also looks ultimate. It has a bead clasp. The length of the bracelet is 82cm when it is unwrapped. It can be wrapped at least 4 times. It will give you a modish look when you sport it on your wrist.





Mens jewellery can also make a nice gift. There are many stores selling mens fashion jewellery. However, when buying gold or diamond jewellery, one should be careful about the originality of the product and should never buy from unreliable sources, which can swindle you by giving you a low quality product for a high price.


How to Know the Value of Gold Jewellery

All that sparkles isn't gold. That's true enough but probably not good enough if you are going to understand the true value of your gold. Understanding some of the fundamentals about hallmarking and the tests commonly applied when valuing gold is useful; especially if you wish to sell gold either online or through a retail outlet.





Gold is normally hallmarked i.e. stamped to indicate the type of gold. For example, gold which contains 375 parts of gold per thousand is 37.5% pure and categorised as 9K Gold. Likewise, 14 Karat gold is 58.5% pure (585 parts per thousand) and 18k gold is 75% pure. Jewellers in the UK are not allowed to describe an item as solid gold unless it is hallmarked. UK hallmarks are 375, 585, 750, 916, and 999. The UK is also a signatory to the international convention on hallmarks which means convention hallmarks are also recognised in the UK. You can get more information at the British Hallmarking Council website.





The colour of gold has nothing to do with the quality and is the result of mixing the gold with different types of metals. Adding copper to the gold produces the rose coloured gold and Rhodium is used in Jewellery to produce the white gold colour. Given the use of hallmarking in the UK, the best starting point in checking the value of your gold is to examine it under a magnifying glass to check for the hallmark: either a UK hallmark or one that is recognised under the convention agreement. If there is no clear hallmark, then using a magnet to test for any magnetism in the metal which will at least show if it isn't gold. Precious metals are NOT magnetic. However, a lot of jewellery is made up of other metals parts today. For instance, clasps, springs and supports are often made of metal and will be magnetic and therefore care should be taken with this approach.





If you take or send your gold to a jeweller, they will first verify any hallmark. If this is not conclusive then they will test by filing an area of jewellery that is hidden and applying acid to see a change in the colour which will determine the Karat of the gold. The jewellery has to be filed to make sure that you are testing the gold and not just any surface plating.





According to historical accounts, the expression, 'the acid test', comes from the fact that acid testing has long been used for gold. You can buy acid testing kits to do this. This process involves you scratching the gold on a stone supplied and then testing the residue with acid. The time the gold remains following the application of the acid indicates the quality of the gold. If it lasts more than 30 seconds, then it is likely to be 18k or higher. Tests for higher quality gold often require comparison of the dissolve times of a known sample with the test sample.





Whilst this gives you some knowledge and understanding of gold valuation, ideally you should take your gold to a reputable jeweller to get a correct assessment of the quality and value before you sell gold


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