The field of jewelry is a confusing world no matter how you acquired your pieces of jewelry. Where can you find information that you know you can trust? This article will be very helpful to you, because it is filled with tips about jewelry that will encourage you to become a highly educated consumer.
Do not use harsh chemicals such as ammonia, bleach, turpentine or acetone to clean them. Harsh chemicals will dull your stones and dissolve the enamel on your jewelry.
Use a polishing cloth for all of your jewelry pieces. This will allow your jewelry to shine without using chemicals. You use the special cloth to polish your jewelry just like you would polish your silverware. The first side is designed to polish, while the other is for adding shine.
When you are putting your jewelry away, take care on how it is stored. It’s better to keep pieces separate by using boxes, holders, hooks and other containers. Jewelry should not be lumped together in a pile. This can hurt very fragile jewelry, and tangle necklaces or bracelets.
Store your jewelry collection carefully. Consider delegating each piece to its own resting place, utilizing compartmental boxes and storage units. Tossing all of your jewelry into the same box is a bad plan. Not only will your necklaces become hopelessly tangled, you risk harming any fragile pieces as they bump and scrape against each other as you search the box.
Bring a magnet when shopping for sterling silver jewelery. You can detect fake sterling silver with the magnet, since non-precious metals are drawn to magnets. Sterling silver should always bear a stamp that says Sterling, Ster. or .925. Be wary of jewelery without any kind of hallmark, as often it is fake.
Your jewelry should endure an entire lifetime. When buying jewelry, only buy from dealers with good reputations, so that you don’t buy a piece that seems durable, but really isn’t. High-quality jewelry can be told by its superior craftsmanship and good manufacture. The person selling the piece should know its history, including who made it and the source of the stones. Take your time when selecting a high-quality piece if you want it to last you for a long time.
Always be aware of the type of stone you’re buying when dealing with gems. There are different types of gems, including imitation, natural and lab produced. Imitation gems are made out of glass or plastic; natural and synthetic gems both consist of real gemstone. Synthetic gems are grown in a lab, natural gems are dug out of the Earth.
Ask about insurance from your jeweler before purchasing a new piece. If your jewelry gets damaged or broken, you can come back to the store and have it repaired or replaced. You might find some jewelers who are willing to insure it against loss and theft.
Do some shopping around when you are looking to buy some diamonds. Find a few reference pieces that you like, and see if other diamonds can do better. Be careful of tricks that jewelers use to make a diamond look bigger or better.
Costume Jewelry
Before you make a final jewelry-buying decision, take a look at what’s new and trendy. Getting a great deal on beautiful bauble makes getting it even more enjoyable.
If you want to start a costume jewelry collection, it is important to be aware of the pieces’ condition. Costume jewelry is pricey and can retain its value in many cases, but pieces that are damaged aren’t worth much and aren’t worth the time to restore. A piece in good condition will be much more resourceful to you in the future.
Be sure to at least inquire about the insurance that is available when you buy jewelry from a reputable jeweler. If your jewelry gets damaged or broken, you can come back to the store and have it repaired or replaced. In some cases, insurance policies will cover lost, misplaced or stolen pieces.
Now you see the wide and splendid array of jewelry that has been created. Using guided and careful research, you can purchase great pieces that you can care for properly. Being a part of the jewelry world is fun and rewarding, so enjoy! These suggestions should be helpful for you to start out.
Keep your jewelry from getting tarnished in order to keep it looking it’s best. Don’t take your jewelry into the water, regardless of whether you are showering or hitting the beach. Exposure can result in tarnishing, rusting or dulling of different metals. You can give your jewelry an additional layer of protection by applying a thin coat of clear nail polish to it.