Jewelry has long been a way individuals choose to express their personal style. From the lavish jewels of the Pharaohs in ancient Egypt to the thousands of jewelry types we wear today, the business of decorating oneself in precious stones is here to stay. In fact, more people are choosing to make their own jewelry both for fun and to enter jewelry design careers.
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Whether you’re purchasing a necklace or ring for yourself or designing them for someone else, there is a certain level of quality you want to ensure goes into the piece. To guarantee the jewelry can live up to expectations, many people perform a series of tests before they buy or sell any piece. Some of these tests include testing the jewelry against items found in everyday life.
- Before you purchase the jewelry or buy the materials needed to make jewelry, do your research and shop around. The cost of gold is on the rise so that may not be your best option. Instead, look for other alternative materials, like vermeil – a thin sheet of gold layered over sterling silver.
- Your jewelry is supposed to enhance your outfit, not destroy it. For that reason, run your jewelry over any tights, shirts, skin, and other material that may get pulled, caught, or snagged on the jewelry. This is especially important if the piece has sharp edges or clasps of any kind.
- Scratch your fingernail over the jewelry to make sure it doesn’t chip. This will help you to be sure you’re not getting a gold paint on top of a cheaper material. It also enables you to know that your jewelry has the longevity to withstand you wearing it all the time.
- Make sure all stones are secured well before you buy. If you can bend or move the prongs or if you can lift the gemstone out, there’s a good chance of the stone getting loose and getting lost. If it does, your piece will be worthless.
- Also when it comes to gemstones, do your research. See what colors, carats, cuts, and clarity you can afford in your price range. This will prevent you from having unrealistic expectations and will also ensure you’re getting the best quality stone you can.
Remember, this jewelry is for you to love, cherish, and wear. Saving it for special occasions will keep it in better shape, but then you won’t be able to show it off to everyone. Be proud of what you have made or purchased and display it to the world.
Allison Brenner is a copywriter for an online career school. For more information visit PCDI’s jewelry design school.
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