The Smart Way To Collect Jewelry

By Melba Hardy


Jewel collecting is one of the most enjoyed and loved pastime for the jewel enthusiasts. It can also be a source of profit. To collect jewelry, it does not only require a large amount of money, but some helpful skills. These skills help identify which one is good and which one is bad. If you want to indulge in such hobby or money making opportunity, the first thing you should know is how to not get cheated.

A body organ that plays a vital role to these skills is the eyes. The eye lets you appraise every minor and major detail that needs to be evaluated. Acuity is the attribute that you require to find those high quality and undamaged jewels.

Differentiating between the real and fake requires details. It is part of the eye training that every collector should know. Part of the training is knowing what to find.

Damages and withering are always something that should be looked out for. Chipped enamel, missing or cracked stone, cloudy rhinestones, and worn plating are the most notorious problems to encounter. The given examples are irreparable. It lessens the value of the jewel. Scratches, on the other hand, are perfectly fine since it is reparable most especially to gold and silver.

Soldering markings are historical representation of repairs. Around the stone, dust can be spotted. It is a helpful indicator of age. It is also an indicator of the era it is categorized. Unless you like playing the high stakes, beginners should not aim for the expensive types. It is recommended to buy the cheap and mildly expensive items to be sure and gain the experience needed. The experience will help for future purchase.

Familiarize yourself with the trademark, signatures, and stamps. Asks the seller to show its back. This is where you will find the signatures, trademark, or stamps of the designer. In this way, you would easily get to know the fakes. Also, familiarizing the weight of each jewel is also a helpful factor.

Diamonds propose a different case. To understand it, one must know its cut, clarity, color, and carat or the four Cs. Even if it is damaged, it still holds a high price. Diamonds that give of the sparkle of a rainbow are fakes. Real diamonds shine with gray and white colors. Breathing is also helpful. If the fog vanishes within two to three seconds or less, it is real. If not, it is a fake.

Unique and fancy jewels are not always rare. They are well placed in shelves with other designs to give the deception of rarity. These jewels might be found on other stores with a lesser price. Most good collectors buy books for reference. These can be found in book stores and online selling sites.

To collect jewelry, be informed of everything there is to know about collecting. It greatly lessens the chance of mistakes, especially for newbies. It is all trial and error and you will learn while you experience it firsthand.