Tips from the Jewelers

Ring Tips

1. Make sure that your ring will fit. Ring size will probably not be the same for every ring you buy. The width of a band will make it fit differently. Your jeweler has several tools to measure your ring size and he or she are an excellent resource for what will work. Check and recheck the size, before you buy.
2. Rings need to be pampered. Ask your jeweler to recommend the cleaning method that is safest and best for your rings. Most jewelers will offer to periodically clean your rings at no charge. In between professional cleanings, follow a regular routine of ring-care, at home.
3. When you go to buy, bear in mind that a group of small stones will not cost as much as the equivalent carat weight of one stone. There are several new designs on the market that “simulate” a large stone by using a cluster of smaller ones. Ask your jeweler for advice.
4. Both the color and the clarity of any gemstone play a large part in the price of the piece. The only exceptions to this rule are the deep yellow diamonds, called "fancies" that, because of their scarcity, are very pricey.

Earring Tips

1. In choosing your earrings, fit is paramount. If an earring is too heavy, or doesn’t sit right on your ear, it can be a source of annoyance and even pain, throughout your special day (and thereafter). Larger earrings are usually heavier and, over time, may become uncomfortable. Ask your jeweler if, for a while, you can wear the earring around the store.
2. Check the earring back. A large butterfly-back clasp is not only the most comfortable, but also the most secure against loss. If the earrings you picked don’t come with this type of clasp, ask your jeweler to replace the backs with new ones. They are usually relatively inexpensive. Level back earrings are also comfortable and, the advantage of these is that the pressure can be adjusted by your jeweler.
3. When you store your earrings, keep them away from one another, so that they won’t hit one another. Stones that hit one another can get scratched. Keep the earrings in separate bags, or compartments in your jewelry box. Your jeweler can make recommendations for you.

Necklace Tips

1. Necklaces, because if where they sit on your body, tend to get noticed even more than earrings and rings. If you want to make a big impression and luxuriously frame your face, nothing makes a more powerful statement than a diamond necklace, regardless of the size of the stones.
2. Formal evening weddings call for larger pieces. Keep in mind when you select your necklace that, when worn over an extended period of time, a heavy necklace may become uncomfortable. Consider not only the weight of a necklace, but also how it “lies” on your bodice. Move around a bit and see if the necklace stays in place. It’s annoying to have a pendant, for example, that slips into and behind your neckline. Also check to see if the pendant flips over when you move around. A wide necklace may be uncomfortable in very warm surrounding and may “stick” to your neck.
3. When you store your necklace make sure it is not touching another piece of jewelry. Stones that collide with one another can get scratched. Necklaces are best stored flat and "stretched" out. Storing a necklace in a pouch is not a good idea, because it may get it tangled. Incidentally, should your necklace get tangled, the best implement to use to get the tangle out is a straight pin. If that doesn’t work, ask your jeweler to help you.