Do not let the complex language of jewelery confuse you. Jewelry has been an important part of the human condition for so long, but where can you even start looking for the right things to learn about it? This article will give you a few pointers that will help you become a knowledgeable jewelry connoisseur.
Get a polishing cloth for your jewelery. This easy technique can make your jewelry bright and shiny without the use of harsh solvents and chemicals. It’s easy, just use the dual-sided cloth to wipe down your jewelry, just as you would polish a beautiful glass. Use one side to shine it and the other to polish it.
Precious Metals
Try to avoid cleaning it with harsh chemicals like ammonia or turpentine. Doing so can destroy enamel finishes, while clouding stones and crystals.
Never store your jewelry in open air or humidity. Keep them stored safely in a closed, dark area, like a jewelry box or drawstring bag. Humidity quickly tarnishes both precious and non-precious metal. Precious metals are capable of being polished until they are like new, while non-precious metals will not be able to be saved. This is because the non-precious metals are simple copper metal coated with the covering of precious metals, and when polished, they will allow the copper to show through.
Be sure that you understand the kind of gemstone that is in the jewelry that you are purchasing. Natural gems and imitation gems have been joined recently by synthetic gems, making three main categories. Natural and synthetic gems are real stones, but imitation is just plastic colored to look like the real thing. Natural gems are dug up from the ground, and synthetic gems are man-made in a lab.
Make sure you check into insurance policies when you make a jewelry purchase from a jeweler. This is to avoid any future complications. If anything were to happen you have yourself covered and to avoid complications with that jeweler in the future, they can replace or fix it for you if you run into problems. There are even some jewelers that will cover the replacement if the piece has been lost or stolen.
Keep your jewelry from getting tarnished in order to keep it looking it’s best. One of the best ways to keep your jewelry looking beautiful is to avoid wearing it in water. Many pieces can become rusty, tarnished or dull when they are exposed to water. Use a thinner coat of your clear nail polish on your jewelry for extra protection.
Prevent your jewelry from tarnishing so that it keeps looking great. When wearing your jewelry, you should avoid exposure to water. Many metals can become tarnished, rusty or dull when exposed to water too often. Applying a very thin covering of clear nail varnish to your jewelry offers an added degree of protection.
If you own costume jewelry, it is important to properly care for it. Even though it is not as expensive as its precious counterpart, costume jewelry represents a significant investment, one that can be lost if the pieces are allowed to get worn and broken. A piece of costume jewelry that has been treated well can be a treasure for years to come.
Costume Jewelry
A brooch will add a little character to your belt. You can add it anywhere on the belt that you think looks good.
If you own costume jewelry, it is important to properly care for it. Many costume pieces are a great investment and can be quite costly, but costume jewelry that has too many signs of wear will not keep their value over time. An item in good condition holds its value better in the long run.
Untangle your knotted necklaces, even the delicate ones. The first thing you need to do is get a piece of plastic wrap. Place the chain in on the plastic wrap and add a few drops of baby oil onto the knots. You can use needles to unravel them. Finally, use dish soap and dry gently with a towel.
When you are buying new jewelery, think about the stones you want to get. Think about your skin tone, and also think about your personality as you choose your favorite stones. Neutral colors work better to match all your clothing. A piece that is hard to wear is not as useful as one that goes with everything.
This applies to dry and steam-filled saunas. Many types of jewelry will suffer damage if they are exposed to extreme heat and humidity.
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. It is best to have two cloths ready, one warm with water and one dry, to use to wipe your jewelry. This helps keep costume jewelry looking sparkling clean and new.
Be sure to shop around when buying diamond jewelry. Every diamond is unique, and there will always be tiny flaws. When you see the diamond yourself, you may find certain flaws not to be that important. Jewelers have some flexibility with the price depending on the severity of the flaws. It is important to look at various options to ensure you get the best quality diamond for the amount of money you can comfortably afford.
For those creative, quirky people in your life, shop for handcrafted original pieces. Show your affection for the person by recognizing their unique qualities; put some thought into the purchase and be creative.
Look for fancy robe hooks to hang your necklaces from so they do not become tangled. Organize these hooks in a row and use them to keep your necklaces free-hanging and untangled. You can group them by style, length or other criteria. 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.
Watch for jewelry sales if you’re in the mood to shop. You could save a lot of money if you take the time to look for better prices. Check ads in the newspaper, on the Internet, and in stores for the best deals. Sometimes, if you buy a fashion that is not ‘up and coming’, you can save some money.
If you plan to invest a great deal of money in a piece of jewelry, opt for a piece that will last many years. This goes not only for the quality of the piece but also the style of it. Although something may be in style now, it may seem tacky after a few years. A classic design will stand the test of time.
Be careful when untangling your delicate necklaces. Don’t give up on getting the knots out, instead get a sheet of plastic wrap. Place your necklace on the wrap and put baby oil or mineral oil on it. Using sewing needles, you should be able to separate the knot. Wash it gently with a bit of dish soap and then pat it dry.
If you are wearing a simple outfit, wear bigger jewelery. Allow it to stand out on its own against the backdrop of a dark, patternless dress or blouse.
When you are ready to buy a piece of jewelry, think about what you are going to be doing with it. There is no need to spend your money on a bauble that you cannot see yourself wearing. Think of the outfits that you own, and use those to help you choose your jewelry.
Many people forget about the beautiful stone Alexandrite. Depending on the surrounding light, an Alexandrite stone will change colors from green to purple. Alexandrite is most often used in earrings, pendants and rings.
Many times, the cut and clarity of a diamond outshines its actual carat weight. You want the diamond to really suit the person that’s going to wear it.
Give your beloved a beautiful item of jewelry to express your love. Almost all women love to receive jewelry. Surprising her with a gift is the perfect way to transform your usual date into something she will remember for years.
If you are looking for jewelry as a gift, consider a set rather than an individual piece. Most jewelers offer special deals on jewelry when it is bought in sets, rather than each piece individually. You can even divide the pieces and give them to multiple recipients or on multiple occasions. This practice will ensure that you have appealing gifts planned out for a long time in the future.
Budget is an important consideration to make before you start shopping for that special engagement ring. Shopping for that special diamond can become quite emotional. All too easily you get sidetracked by the emotion of it all and spend a lot more than you intended.
Be sure to always remove your jewelry before going for a swim. Swimming pools contain chlorine, which can age many types of jewelry prematurely. Over time, salt water is just as harmful to your jewelry. If you want your jewelry to remain pristine, always remember to remove it before getting into the water.
If you are unable to afford the wedding ring of your dreams, consider buying something smaller and then upgrading later on when you have more money to spend. You can always get the perfect ring on another important occasion, such as a later anniversary. Some jewelers have buy back programs so you can trade in one ring for a larger one.
Brand name should not be the primary concern when buying jewelry. Nobody will realize where this piece came from, and the seller may sell the piece at a higher price because of this brand. You can find excellent quality from many different brands.
While there are better ways to clean your jewelry, this will do the trick when you are in a bind. Place just a dab of paste on a paper towel or a soft cloth that doesn’t shed lint. Apply the paste to the jewelry, rub until clean, and then rinse immediately with water. Although the end result won’t be absolutely perfect, it won’t look as tarnished as it did before.
If you’re going to wear gaudy jewelry, don’t wear a gaudy outfit to match. Instead, allow your jewelry to remain the focal point by pairing it with solid colors and classic lines.
Pre-owned jewelry can be a wise way to save money on a quality piece. While these pieces are much more affordable than their newer counterparts, they are typically comparable in quality and appearance.
It can be quite tempting to buy a piece of jewelry that is out of your price range, so be sure to have a budget, and stick to it. There is no reason to take on debt because of a shiny ring or fancy necklace. If this is for a young couple, it might be the best decision to start out with a cheaper ring. Then, they can upgrade it when they have achieved a little more financial wherewithal.
Consider the purpose of your jewelry when picking out accessories to an outfit. Do you want your jewelry to be the highlight of your outfit, or do you want your clothing to highlight your outfit?
As you have read, jewelry has a myriad of various aspects. But, with thorough and comprehensive investigation, you can be confident that you are buying and taking care of quality pieces. Welcome to the exciting world of jewelry! The advice above should be a valuable stepping stone for beginning your quest.
Jewelry is no different from any of your other valuables in that it requires proper care and cleaning. If you clean your jewelery make sure it is in good condition, you do not want to make it worse. If you find any, take them to a gemologist or local jeweler so that they can effectively clean them.