While shopping around for jewelry can be fun, it also has the potential to immediately become stressful if you’re aiming to buy an expensive piece. Since purchasing a platinum or gold ring is so taxing, you can imagine why investing in jewelry is a demanding task that should be treated just as seriously as any other business transaction. In spite of the fact that jewelry is not a popular investment, let’s not forget that vintage and antique items will provide you with a substantial return. Before you take this step, it’s important to understand how this investment works. Let’s elaborate.

Bakelite has seen numerous applications since its development in 1933. From jewelry to pipes, from toys to weapon magazines, Bakelite is basically the very first form of synthetic plastic developed. If you want to make sure that the accessories you have acquired are made from genuine Bakelite, then the following guide will provide you with 5 easy tips. Keep in mind that you should not employ the hot pin testing method, as most of the old plastic is highly flammable. Fortunately, there are several other ways to determine whether or not you’re dealing with Bakelite.

In the eventuality that you own an antique jewelry collection and you want to store them in a secured vault, then the first thing you should do is clean it of dust and debris. In case you didn’t know, gemstones with a Mohs’ hardness lower than 7 can be easily scratched by the tiny particles, whereas antique shell cameos and pearls are ‘allergic’ to dust. Due to scratching considerations, it is imperious that you never place gemstones with hardness higher than 7 along with those bellow this value.

Although white gold and platinum might look alike, they are both unique metals with distinct characteristics. If you’re thinking of investing in jewelry or want to purchase a brooch or a ring for your wedding or anniversary, you need to know the main distinction between these two valuable precious metals.

Sterling silver jewelry stands out through its incredible bright, shiny look as well as its affordability, at least by comparison to gold and platinum jewelry. Unlike pure silver, sterling silver typically includes copper for the purpose of making it strong enough to withstand processing and jewelry casting. It is necessary to mention that some sterling silver jewels could incorporate other metals that help enhance the properties of the precious metal, such as the silver’s innate resistance to tarnish.

Given the escalating demand of diamonds among the middle class in India and China, it doesn’t come as a surprise that diamond jewelry’s price has seen an almost 50% increase in the past couple of years. Moreover, with the constant rise in the demand, jewelers have decided to start filling in their stocks with diamond jewelry purchased especially from the public.

In spite of the fact that now seems the perfect time to cash in your diamonds for a near profit, take note that selling a diamond ring or a pair of diamond earrings can be a major headache. Following are some tips to remember when you finally decide to hock your stone.