HowToDoThings.com Jewelry

How To Clean Discolored Fake Pearls

Deirdre — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 18:11:24 -0500

A set of fake pearls can be a lovely addition to your costume jewelry wardrobe. If your set has started to yellow or has lost its luster, it may just need a good cleaning. A few simple steps are all it takes to have those pearls gleaming again.

Materials:
Discolored string of pearls (or earrings)
Mild soap
Warm water
Soft toothbrush
Chamois cloth
Small bowl (glass or plastic)

How To Buy Diamond Jewelry

Joan598 — Mon, 22 Jan 2007 18:43:00 -0600

Diamond jewelry is a significant purchase, but it's not one that needs to be scary. Armed with some basic information, you can buy diamonds with confidence, either for yourself or a very special someone else.

Do your homework. Familiarize yourself with some basic terminology like the Four Cs (cut, color, clarity and carat weight). Know which options are most important to you. Here's a quick overview:
- CUT determines the stone's fire and brilliance and is probably your most important C. Not to be confused with a diamond's shape, cut refers to how a diamond's facets are created to maximize the amount of light that is absorbed, redirected, and released. Nature controls the other 3 Cs, but a diamond's cut is in the hands of the craftsman who shapes it.
  
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How To Buy and Care for Costume Jewelry

Tue, 02 May 2006 19:56:00 -0500

Many jewelry buffs have discovered some real treasures in the costume jewelry cases at department stores and antique shops. Costume pieces are made of materials that are less valuable than fine jewelry, and usually feature glass, plastic or synthetic stones rather than precious gems. Because the fake "jewels" are less expensive than the real thing, they often come in larger, flashier styles.

Prices of costume jewelry vary greatly; you can find costume jewelry pieces that cost under $10, but you may also discover higher quality pieces that cost several hundred dollars or more. Some of the vintage costume jewelry pieces carry a heftier price-tag but are particularly well-made, often featuring unusual designs and lots of sparkle. If you are in the market for costume jewelry, here are some tips to help you find just the right piece to add to your collection.

How to Buy Costume Jewelry

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How To Buy, Clean and Care for Pearl Jewelry

Sun, 23 Apr 2006 19:44:00 -0500

If you want to invest in a classic piece of jewelry that will never go out of style, consider buying a strand of pearls. This will be the perfect touch for every occasion. Whether you are wearing jeans and a blouse for a casual luncheon out or are putting on a formal dress for a wedding, pearls can be the perfect accessory to complete your look and give you the elegance you desire.

How to Buy Pearls:

When shopping for pearls, consider the factors that affect the value. This includes the luster, the thickness, the shape, the texture, the size and the color. Understand that the luster refers to the glow or brilliance of the finish. High quality pearls have a high shine.

Be aware of the shape of the pearls. Look for very round ones that have a smooth texture or surface that is not marred by imperfections.

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How To Buy, Clean and Care for Gold Jewelry

Sun, 23 Apr 2006 07:44:00 -0500

Chances are you already have some gold in your jewelry box. Gold is a very popular choice and it is always very stylish. If you are in the market for more gold jewelry, here are some things to know before you make this purchase:

How to Buy Gold:

Do your homework before you buy.

Understand that there are variations in gold that affect its color, quality and price.

The main factors to consider include karat weight and gram weight, color and style.

When it comes to karat weight, most gold has markings inside that indicate its purity. In the United States, the most common options are 10K, 14K or 18K. The higher the number, the higher the gold purity is in the piece. (Anything 10K and up is considered pure gold.)

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How To Buy, Clean and Care for Platinum Jewelry

Thu, 20 Apr 2006 17:14:00 -0500

When you decide to purchase a high quality piece of jewelry, platinum is always a good choice because it is very strong and durable. This also makes it an excellent setting for diamonds and other precious gemstones. In addition, platinum is more pure than other types of precious metal and because of this, it is hypoallergenic.

Tips to Buy Platinum:

Look for markings that will assure you of the quality of your platinum, which includes 950 Plat, 950Pt, Pt950, Plat, 900Pt, Pt900, or 900Plat.

Understand that each of these markings refers to the percentage of platinum used in the piece.

Expect platinum to cost more than gold or white gold, but know that in return it will be more durable and will hold up to everyday wear well.

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How To Buy Diamond Engagement Rings--Part II

Fred238 — Tue, 18 Apr 2006 09:18:00 -0500

There they are...case after case of sparkling beauties! Smiling sales people eager to show you anything, and what appears to be a pit boss in the back for ground support. There's a guard at the front door and you wonder "Is he here to protect the jewelry store from being robbed or to make sure I leave with something!" Jewelry stores and their overly eager commissioned sales people can be a little intimidating for the average bear, but not for you!

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How To Buy Diamond Engagement Rings--Part I

Fred238 — Thu, 13 Apr 2006 13:23:00 -0500

So, you are ready to buy an engagement ring. Seems like a fairly straight forward deal. Here's the plan: Withdraw all your cash from the ATM or bring your checkbook or your brand new or heavily abused credit card; get into a form of transportation; enter jewelry store; pick out what you like; pay and leave. It can literally be that easy! Buying an engagement ring is a piece of cake; buying a good one is a little trickier.

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