It’s not always easy to find quality information about jewelry, nor is it always easy to incorporate this information into your daily life. There is quite a bit to learn about jewelry, and it might be hard to make sense out of it. Thankfully for you, the best methods are in this article, so read them to know which ones to utilize.
Avoid harsh chemicals like bleach, ammonia and acetone that may permanently damage your jewelry. Doing so can damage the shine and luster of the stones on your favorite pieces.
To keep your jewelry looking attractive, polish it regularly using a cloth made especially for this purpose. This is a natural way to shine all of your jewelry without relying on abrasives or other harsh chemicals. All you do is polish it like you would a glass with the two-sided cloth. First, use the polishing side to polish it up, then use the other side to shine it.
If you are looking to purchase sterling silver jewelry make sure that you have a magnet with you and a good eye. Metals that aren’t precious will connect to the magnet, signaling that it is fake. You can recognize sterling silver by stamps that say ‘.925’ or ‘ster’. If a particular piece is not stamped, you should be cautious of its authenticity.
Sterling Silver
Be sure that you understand the kind of gemstone that is in the jewelry that you are purchasing. Jewels come in natural, synthetic and imitation forms. Natural and synthetic are both real, while imitation is just basically colored plastic. Synthetic gems are grown in a lab, natural gems are dug out of the Earth.
A magnet is a useful tool when shopping for jewelry in sterling silver. You can tell if a piece of silver is sterling or not by using a magnet. Sterling will not react to the magnet, but non-precious metals will be attracted. True sterling silver will also have a mark on it to indicate its quality, such as “.925” or “ster”. If your silver is not marked, it could be because it is not real!
Always compare prices before purchasing any diamonds. Take a good look at all the pieces that you like, examining them and comparing them to each other. Less-scrupulous jewelry sellers have many ways to enhance the appearance of a sub-par diamond, so you have to stay alert.
Every piece of jewelry should last you a life-time. Get jewelry from a jeweler with a good reputation to be sure that it’s of high-quality. High-quality jewelry can be told by its superior craftsmanship and good manufacture. Ask the jeweler what the origin of the piece is, like the maker and the origin of the stones. If you select high-quality jewelry, it will last you forever.
Keep your jewelry from getting tarnished to preserve its best appearance. When wearing your jewelry, you should avoid exposure to water. Many metals can become tarnished, rusty or dull when exposed to water too often. To give jewelry an added layer of protection apply a thin layer of clear nail lacquer.
Look at what they are wearing now. Do they like hoops or studs? Does the person prefer chokers or loose fitting necklaces? Just paying attention to what they wear now will make buying for them much easier than asking a salesperson.
If you want to start a costume jewelry collection, it is important to be aware of the pieces’ condition. This type of jewelry can be extremely expensive and makes an incredible investment. However, this type of piece can have a lot of wear and tear, which wouldn’t be worth your money or time. An item in good condition holds its value better in the long run.
Before you buy anything new, found out about the latest trend. The one thing that makes a great purchase an outstanding one is getting a bargain on it.
Put on the jewelry to see if it hangs correctly, then wear it for a few hours to test the comfort. It will also allow you to see if the item is durable enough.
Wear the jewelry around for a day or so to be sure that it fits right and is comfortable. This will also let you know how the piece holds up in every day environments.
Accent a belt with a brooch to add more visual interest instantly. Either put it near your hip or near the middle of your waist.
Try on a few different stones when you are shopping for jewelry. Choose stones that complement your complexion and that best reflect your personality. Neutral colors work better to match all your clothing. Do not buy anything that you cannot wear.
You should always know what you plan on doing with jewelry when purchasing it. You should not have a lot of jewelery that you are never going to put on. Think of the outfits that you own, and use those to help you choose your jewelry.
Know how to keep your jewelry beautiful. There’s an ideal way to clean every different type of setting and stone. The best way to care for a particular piece of jewelry could be harmful to a different piece. Go ahead and ask a professional jeweler to find out exactly how you should be caring for your jewels.
Avoid steam saunas and dry ones. The jewelry can be damaged from extreme heat or moisture.
You should try to find out whether a gemstone was treated prior to purchasing it. If it was treated, you should discover the way it was treated. The way to care for a stone differs greatly depending on how it was treated. If your gem was treated you have to find out how to clean it properly.
When you are buying jewelry for someone, it may be a good idea to buy a set instead of just one piece. It is not uncommon for jewelers to offer special discounts on matched sets. Split the set for a loved one for every upcoming holiday. This is an excellent way to give something every holiday season without having to worry that you will forget.
If you are in the market for jewelry, always seek out sales. You can save a lot of money with the right sale. Watch for sales in the newspaper, on the Internet, and even in the stores themselves. Sometimes, buying fashion styles that are on their way out can save you almost half of the original price.
All bracelets and necklaces must have a good, durable clasp or closure. Without a decent clasp, you risk losing your expensive stones or chains. If you have expensive or heirloom items, invest in a safety clasp. Some people may even choose to put a second or third clasp on their priceless pieces to keep them safe while wearing them.
You should never wear your jewelry while swimming. The chlorine in pool water will corrode your jewelry and remove its shine. Over time, saltwater can be as bad. It is advisable to remove all jewelry prior to participating in any water sports to protect and extend the life of your jewelry.
Never go swimming while wearing jewelry. The strength of chlorine means it can hurt the shine of your jewelry and decrease its life. Salt water is equally as bad for your jewelry. Taking jewelry off before getting in the water will protect it and extend the life of the jewelry.
If you want to spend a lot of money on some jewelry, then make sure to buy a piece that will last a very long time. You should be getting a quality item because of the price, but make sure you select something that will not go out of style. If the piece you are considering is very trendy at the moment, it may be out of fashion in just a few years. Be on the lookout for something timeless and classic.
Try using robe hooks for storing your necklaces in a tangle-free way. Attach this hardware to the inside of your closet door or on your bedroom wall, and hang groups of necklaces according to length or color. This will keep you from having to worry about tangled necklaces the next time you go for one, and it happens to also be an attractive way to display them.
Giving jewelery, or wearing it with style, is a matter of being properly educated. The tips above will let you actually do stuff with your jewelry rather than searching for information on how to do that stuff. Keep the aforementioned tips in mind to enjoy success in jewelry expertise.
Jewelry is definitely not an item that you want to restrict yourself based on brand name. You will often pay more for name brand jewelry, and it is unlikely that others will recognize the name associated with your new piece of jewelry unless you tell them. Remember that there is top-quality jewelry available under any number of different brands.