Old jewelry can feel outdated, tarnished, and well, just plain old. It doesn’t have to be that way, though. Vintage is very “in” these days and many old pieces can be turned into something new with just a small amount of work. In this article, we will discuss some of the best tips for re-purposing your old pieces.

Vintage jewelry can actually make great fashion accessories. It doesn’t have to be your granny’s jewelry any longer. Make a statement piece by displaying a vintage necklace or a pair of vintage earrings. Vintage seems to be all the new rage and almost every store out there seems to be selling vintage inspired pieces. Why buy “inspired pieces” when you can buy the real thing for a fraction of the cost?

If you would like to start collecting gemstone jewelry, make sure that you do your research first. It is important that you know what to look for in spotting fakes and what to look for to identify genuine gemstones. It can also be beneficial to know what different countries and areas different gemstones are indigenous to. This can help determine if what you’re looking at is real or fake.

When looking to invest in fine jewelry, understand the different price ranges different metals and gemstones fall into. For example, understanding that opal is very expensive, you can already figure out if you see someone selling it for under twenty dollars, it is a fake. Knowing that sterling silver is a lot cheaper than white gold, but quite similar in appearance, can help narrow down your price when looking to invest in a nice pair of earrings.

If you are buying your jewelry from a pawn shop, check their qualifications. Find out if they have experience with jewels, certifications, or if they work with gemologists. A pawn shop that works with these items on a regular basis should be qualified to appraise and sell jewelry at proper costs.

View the gemstones in correct lighting, with the right background. Diamonds or other gems should never be viewed on a black background. Black backgrounds alter your perception of a gems real shine and color, so you may make a purchase and later realize that the stone is not as clear and perfect as you originally assumed.

In this article, we have helped you by providing some tips on how to re-purpose old pieces of jewelry. Why throw those pieces out when you can turn them into something you love? With just a little bit of work, minimal cost, and barely any effort, you can make your jewelry pieces new again.