Jewelry can be confusing, no matter if you have inherited the jewelry or received it as a gift. Where can you get more knowledge on this traditional art form? Find interesting information, and perhaps a few things you did not know, in the article ahead.
When you are putting your jewelry away, take care on how it is stored. You can protect your jeweled investments with hooks, boxes and holders that keep each piece intact and prevent tangles. Tossing all of your jewelry into the same box is a bad plan. Not only can this harm the fine and fragile pieces, but things like necklaces can get severely tangled up with other necklaces or other jewelry.
Avoid harsh chemicals like bleach, ammonia and acetone that may permanently damage your jewelry. Doing so can destroy enamel finishes, while clouding stones and crystals.
When shopping for genuine sterling silver jewelry, you need both a discerning eye and a small magnet. You are able to detect fake pieces of sterling jewelry with a magnet, as non-precious metals are attracted by the magnet. Sterling silver always has some sort of stamp to indicate it is sterling. If the piece is not hallmarked in any way, be leery of its authenticity because oftentimes it is a sign of a fake.
Be cautious of the way all of your personal jewelry gets stored together. Precious metals and certain gemstones will tarnish if they are exposed to humidity, so keep the away from this. Don’t just box all the pieces together in a pile. This not only harms the fragile pieces, but it can also cause items, such as necklaces, to get badly tangled up with the other pieces of jewelry.
Always shop around when buying a diamond. Take a good look at all the pieces that you like, examining them and comparing them to each other. With diamonds, you need to have a keen eye because of the many tricks people will use to enhance it.
Pay attention if they usually wear studs or hoop earrings, white gold or yellow, and any other typical jewelry that they wear. This should give you a grasp of their tastes, and some ideas about what to buy for them.
Make sure you take precautions to stop your jewelery from losing its shine. Try to keep your jewelry away from water. Many metals can become tarnished, rusty or dull when exposed to water too often. If you want to give your jewelry a measure of protection from this element, coat it thinly with clear nail polish.
Inquire about insurance for your jewelry when you purchase it from a jeweler. If something happens to your piece, you’ll know you can take it to the jeweler you bought it from, who will repair it or replace the piece. You can even find insurance on jewelry pieces that were stolen or misplaced.
Do some research on the best way to clean your particular piece of jewelry. Each kind of setting, metal, and stone has its own particular maintenance need. What is beneficial to one stone or setting may hurt another. Your jeweler can give you instructions on proper handling if you are not sure.
Having an ornate piece at your waist will naturally draw eyes by adding interest. Pin it to the middle of the waist or close to your hip.
Avoid both steam and dry saunas. Significant damage can occur to the piece because of the high moisture and high temperatures.
Find out if your gemstone was treated before you buy it and if it was, how it was treated. Gemstone treatment can affect the type of care the piece needs. For example, improper cleaning with the wrong method may damage the stone by stripping the treatment.
Try to purchase sets of jewelry as a gift for someone. Jewelry stores often offer remarkable deals on jewelry sets. You could always break the sets up and give them as individual gifts. It is a great way to make sure that you always have a present for someone and that it is something they will love.
Baby Oil
Any piece of jewelry that wraps around and attaches, such as a necklace or a bracelet, absolutely must have a quality clasp. If a clasp is not solid, you might end up losing your jewelry. A safety clasp is available and is recommended for valuable bracelets and necklaces. Actually, some people opt for an additional clasp on more expensive pieces.
Be careful when untangling your delicate necklaces. If you are about to give up, get some baby oil and plastic wrap. Put the necklace on the plastic wrap and cover it with a little baby oil. Use some needles to untangle. Wash any oil residue from the necklace with dishwashing liquid, and gently pat it dry.
When taking a dip in the pool, take off your jewelry. Chlorine is a very strong and harsh chemical that can damage and dull your precious pieces. Likewise, salt water can also damage your jewelry. Taking it off before you swim will protect your jewelry and keep it looking beautiful for years to come.
Think about the outfits you will wear it with when you buy a piece of jewelry. There’s no sense in spending a lot of money of pieces that you’ll never wear. Think of the outfits that you own, and use those to help you choose your jewelry.
Do not buy jewelry based solely on the manufacturer or brand name. There are probably not going to be many people that recognize that the piece is anything special due to the brand, and you are likely going to pay far too much money for it. You can find good, quality jewelry from a number of different brands.
If you’re selling jewelry on the Internet, make sure your depiction of the piece is detailed, clear and eye-catching. This is very important to remember because the person that may purchase it cannot hold it before purchasing it. Photograph jewelry in a setting that concentrates the viewer’s attention solely on the jewelry; avoid distracting backgrounds.
If you are going to buy a very expensive piece of jewelry, buy something that will last you for years. Quality and durability are usually givens when you spend big, but style and fashion also come into play. A piece designed for the cutting edge of trendiness could look dated and silly just a few years down the road. Look for something classic and timeless.
If you are considering a fine piece of real gold jewelry, you should be prepared to pay a high price. If you simply must have that gold ring, necklace or bracelet, be flexible in terms of karats. Many people believe that 75 percent pure gold is the most ideal ratio of price and quality. This grade is commonly referred to as 18 karats.
If you create jewelry to sell, such as at a flea market or craft sale, you need to display it to its best effect. When searching for the materials that you will use to make your jewelry, you should remember to consider displays that are creative. You can use every day items to display your jewelery, like boxes, mirrors, etc.
As you have just read, jewelry is quite the fascinating topic. As long as you take the time to educate yourself on the subject, though, you can buy, sell and care for jewelry wisely. Welcome to the exciting, and always changing, world of jewelry. Use these guidelines as soon as possible to ensure that you get off to a good start.
It’s a real challenge to pick out a natural ruby or sapphire from an artificial one. Lab created stones are beautiful and are made in a lab which makes them much cheaper than natural gems that are mined out of the earth. It is therefore advised that you have a reputable gemologist examine any piece you are considering. Make sure that you have a professional and reputable gemologist examine any natural sapphire you are thinking of purchasing.