Adorning the body with precious stones and metals goes back thousands of years. Jewelry comes in many different designs. Below you will find tips to guide you in choosing pieces of jewelry you are guaranteed to cherish forever.
Keep your jewelery in a space that is dry and doesn’t have any air flow. Store them in a closed jewelry box or small drawstring bag for maximum protection. Certain metals will be tarnished when exposed to humidity or air. Precious metals can often be polished to remove most tarnish. Non-precious metals often have a single coat of metal. Therefore, polishing them can remove the coat and show the copper that is found underneath.
When you are shopping, think about the color or type of gem you want to buy. There are three unique types of stones: imitation, synthetic and natural. Imitation gems are made out of glass or plastic; natural and synthetic gems both consist of real gemstone. The only difference between natural and imitation gemstones is where they are made. Natural occur naturally, while synthetic stones are grown in labs.
To distinguish between real and fake, bring a magnet when you shop for sterling silver jewelry. To spot scams, see if the magnet attracts the piece. If it does, then shout “FAKE!” at the top of your lungs and move to the next store. Your sterling silver jewelery should always be imprinted if it is real. The stamp may read “.925” or “ster”. Be wary of jewelery without any kind of hallmark, as often it is fake.
Pay close attention to the design and style of their earrings, which may be hoops, gauges, studs, or something new. He or she may also have a preference towards gold, silver, or a different material. This way, you know where you should start when buying a gift.
Know the type of gem you’re buying, when you buy it. Gems can be natural, imitation or synthetic. Imitation is plastic that is colored to looked like the stone, but natural stones and synthetic stones are real. Natural stones are found underground and synthetic gems are created in a lab.
Study current jewelry trends prior to shopping for a piece. The only thing better than picking up a gorgeous bauble is getting it on sale!
Think carefully about what stones you want in your jewelry. Try to choose a stone that meshes well with your taste or personality. Also, consider what looks good on you. Choose neutral colors that will easily match any outfit you decide to wear. As long as you’re spending money, it makes more sense to purchase something that is functional as well as beautiful.
When purchasing jewelry from a respected jeweler, inquire as to whether they offer an insurance policy. Many stores offer a policy where you can bring broken or damaged jewelry back to the original jeweler for repair at little to no cost. In some cases, insurance policies will cover lost, misplaced or stolen pieces.
Think about how best ways to look after your jewelry. There’s an ideal way to clean every different type of setting and stone. What works for one material could damage another. Talk with a professional if you aren’t sure what sort of care each jewel requires.
Costume Jewelry
Costume jewelry should be treated differently than your other jewelry. Costume jewelry is generally bound by glue rather than settings and is therefore, a lot more fragile. Don’t submerge costume jewelry in water or clean it with harsh chemicals. To clean your jewelry, dampen a cloth with warm water and gently wipe the item. Then use a clean, dry cloth to dry the jewelry. This will ensure that your costume jewelry looks perfect.
If you like to collect costume jewelry pieces, become very choosy about each piece’s condition. Costume jewelry can be very expensive and a great investment, but a piece that shows too much wear and tear will not be worth the money or time. The most useful pieces in your collection are the ones that are in excellent condition.
If you’re shopping for an individual who likes unique pieces of jewelry, you should consider purchasing an item that is made specifically for this person. Besides affection and admiration, an ideal jewelry gift expresses creativity and thoughtfulness. A custom-made piece selected to suit the recipient’s personality is an excellent way for you to demonstrate these feelings.
Costume jewelry should be taken care of. Many costume jewelry pieces are glued rather than set. Costume jewelry should never be submerged in liquid, nor cleaned with chemicals. Simply wipe it with a damp warm cloth, followed by a soft, dry cloth. This helps keep costume jewelry looking sparkling clean and new.
When you are buying jewelry for someone, it may be a good idea to buy a set instead of just one piece. Some stores give deals when sets of jewelry are purchased. You can easily make that one purchase into two gifts for different occasions by breaking the set up and presenting it to them on the different days. By doing this, you’ll always have a gift ready and you know they’ll like it.
When you are buying jewelery for someone who is very different or eccentric, try going to a jeweler that will make you a piece that will fit their personality and add to their flair! Giving a gift that requires thought and creativity will make it even more special.
Take your jewelry off before you go swimming. Chlorine can damage your valuable pieces because it’s such a strong chemical. Saltwater is equally damaging to your precious jewels. If you want your jewelry to remain pristine, always remember to remove it before getting into the water.
To keep your jewelry looking clean, only put it on after your make-up is applied and set. The grime and dust in makeup are attracted to the jewelry, and if you put on the jewelry before the cosmetics, it can cause the pieces to look dull. Earrings and necklaces are the prominent pieces affected by this.
Using robe hooks will help to stop necklaces from becoming tangled. Create an instant necklace storage area by mounting a row of these hooks on a closet wall. Not only is this a decorative touch to your intimate spaces, but it will protect the necklaces from being damaged by excessive contact with other pieces in a small box.
The jewelry tips that you just went over can help you start choosing a nice piece of jewelry that fits you. The world of jewelry is filled with a multitude of choices, but the right information makes the decision-making process a whole lot easier.
If you want gold jewelry, prepare to pay through the nose due to high gold prices. If you’re not willing to settle for anything less than gold, by being willing to compromise on karats, you can save some money. An 18 karat piece is comprised of no less than 75 percent of pure gold, which is generally considered by many to be the most optimal combination of quality and price.