When you think of jewelry, what images or ideas come to mind? Do you have knowledge about the different types of jewelry and how you can determine high-quality jewelry? These tips are the first step in understanding the world of jewelery. Hopefully we will answer some of your burning jewelry questions in the article below.
Do not use any chemicals on your jewelery stones. Doing so can damage the shine and luster of the stones on your favorite pieces.
Try cleaning your jewelry collection with a polishing cloth. With this method, you can simply shine it up and not deal with the hassle of using cleaners. You use the special cloth to polish your jewelry just like you would polish your silverware. Use a two-sided cloth to clean your jewelry, one for polishing, and the other for shining.
Make sure you know what kind of gem you are getting when you are buying jewelry. The three types are imitation, synthetic and natural. Natural and synthetic gems are real stones, but imitation is just plastic colored to look like the real thing. Natural comes from the ground, while synthetic ones are created in a lab.
Harsh Chemicals
A good piece of jewelery can last you your whole life. When you are ready to chose your next selection of jewelry, make sure you find a reputable dealer that will make sure that you find a high-quality piece. Jewelry should display exemplary craftsmanship and be well-made. Ask the jeweler about the history behind the piece and learn more about who made it, as well as the origin of the materials. Put effort into your choice, so you can be sure that the piece will last generations.
Avoid harsh chemicals like bleach, ammonia and acetone that may permanently damage your jewelry. Harsh chemicals can destroy the enamel, and ruin the stones in your jewelry.
When buying a new piece of jewelry, be sure to check on the current fashion trends. Getting a great deal on beautiful bauble makes getting it even more enjoyable.
The metals in jewelry can tarnish if exposed to humid air, so you will want to store them in a way that protects them. To ensure it is protected, keep your jewelry in a drawstring bag or a jewelry box that is closed. Precious, as well as non-precious metals, will tarnish if they are exposed to humidity and air over time. It’s possible to restore precious metals through polishing, but lesser-quality metals may suffer permanent damage.
Take the steps to inhibit its tarnishing. For example, avoid taking your jewelry somewhere it can get wet. This could cause your jewelery to rust or become more dull. To give jewelry an added layer of protection apply a thin layer of clear nail lacquer.
Bring a magnet when shopping for sterling silver jewelery. Metals that aren’t precious will connect to the magnet, signaling that it is fake. You will always find a hallmark stamp such as “.925” or “STER.” on genuine sterling, or alternately, it might simply say, “STERLING”. If there is no hallmark, the piece is probably not authentic and may, indeed, be counterfeit.
If you want to collect costume jewelry, concentrate on getting quality peices. 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 that is in excellent condition will increase in value.
When you are shopping for a diamond, make sure to shop around and compare. Look at what you like close up, and compare them to other pieces you have seen. You must be a sharp consumer to avoid tricks that might make a diamond look better than it really is.
Know how to keep your jewelry beautiful. Depending on the metals and stones used in your jewelry, along with how they are set, you will need different maintenance methods. What works for a certain kind of stone may not work for another. Consult with a jeweler if you are unsure exactly how to care for your own jewels.
Before you make a final jewelry-buying decision, take a look at what’s new and trendy. Price a variety of similar items before buying an expensive piece.
If you are buying jewelry for someone who values her individuality, find a one-of-a-kind piece or commission a piece designed specifically for her. A unique piece to match their personality shows thoughtfulness and creativity, which is exactly what you want to express to a person you care enough about to buy jewelry for.
Be sure to at least inquire about the insurance that is available when you buy jewelry from a reputable jeweler. If your jewelry becomes damaged, you can return it to the source and have it repaired. Some jewelers have insurance policies that cover lost of stolen jewelry, also.
Keep all of your jewelry cleaner by putting it on only after you have applied all makeup and perfume. Dust and grime from makeup gravitates towards jewelry, and putting on your jewelry first can leave it looking dull or dingy. In particular, this hint is aimed towards your necklaces and earrings.
You want to ensure that your jewelry always looks its best so do everything you can to stop it from tarnishing. Don’t wear jewelry near water. Water exposure can cause different metals to become tarnished, dull or rusted. For added protection for your jewelry, try adding a thin coating of clear nail polish.
Ask your jeweler before you make a purchse about what kinds of treatments were used on the gemstones in the piece. There are several different types of treatment, and each one needs it’s own type of care. Some cleaning solutions that work perfectly well on untreated gems can strip off treatments, and even damage stones, if you use them on treated gems.
You should wear the jewelry for a few days to see how it feels and if it is comfortable. Doing this also tells you how well it stands up to normal daily wear.
Buying jewelry is better if you keep watch for sales. With the right kind of sale, you can save a lot of money. Watch for sales in the newspaper, on the Internet, and even in the stores themselves. Consider buying something that is out of style to get a better deal.
When buying jewelry, think about what kind of stone would be right. The gemstone you choose should work with your skin tone and suit your personality. Neutral colored stones will work well with any outfit in your closet. Having a beautiful piece of jewelry is pretty worthless if you cannot wear it.
Know what you want to do with jewelry prior to purchasing it. Having a lot of never worn jewelry is not necessary. Take a look in your closet and consider what outfits your jewelry will accessorize.
You need to learn the best ways to take care of your jewelry. Different kinds of jewelery will require you take care of them in different ways. Each piece is individual in its needs so don’t assume what works well for one piece will work well for all. Ask a jeweler when you do not know how to take care of your jewelry.
Ensure that the clasps of your jewelry are sturdy and reliable. If your chains and pendants with costly gems do not have secure clasps, you may lose them. For especially valuable necklaces and bracelets, adding a safety clasp to the piece is a good way to safeguard them. You might even want to add an extra clasp on your jewelery for added protection.
Costume Jewelry
If you do decide to purchase an expensive item of jewelry, try to choose a piece that won’t become outdated and can be worn for years ahead. This goes not only for the quality of the piece but also the style of it. Trends in jewelry can be fleeting and result in unworn pieces later. Choose a classic, timeless piece.
You will need to take special care when you are buying costume jewelery! A fair amount of costume pieces are set with glue. For this reason, costume jewelry should never touch water, and you should avoid using detergents on it. The best care is to wipe with a warm damp cloth and then dry with another cloth. This will make your current costume jewelry look great.
Gold prices have skyrocketed, which is good if you’re selling gold, but not quite so helpful if your heart’s set on purchasing gold. Though genuine gold is pricey, remember that it can be more affordable if you consider pieces with lower karats. If gold is described as 18 karat it is not less than seventy five percent pure, this is considered to be the best quality.
When deciding on which jewelry pieces to buy, look through the sales advertisements. Buying at the right moment can mean big savings. Check ads in the newspaper, on the Internet, and in stores for the best deals. Keep an eye out for deep discounts on jewelry styles that are nearing the end of their popularity. The price is right for what is still a lovely piece of jewelry.
There are a few easy ways to benefit financially from your valuable jewelry without relinquishing it. You have only lost unnecessary length but, at the same time, you’ve earned a little money. If you can do this with several chains made of real gold, you might make a significant chunk of pocket change.
You can untangle delicate necklaces that have become knotted. Do not give up, but instead get a piece of plastic wrap. Put the tangled necklace onto the plastic wrap, then pour a little mineral oil or baby oil onto the piece. It is possible to untangle very snarled necklaces with a needle. Wash any oil residue from the necklace with dishwashing liquid, and gently pat it dry.
The ruby has been held in high regard for a variety of excellent reasons. While the rubies most are familiar with have deep red color, rubies also come in a variety of shades ranging from deep rose to almost maroon. They can handle a lot of abuse and are not as affected by chemicals as other jewels. Their strength and unique beauty make them an excellent choice for most people.
Don’t swim while wearing your jewelry. Your jewelry’s luster and life can be damaged from the chlorine that is present in the pool water. Over time, salt water can also cause damage. If you want your jewelry to remain pristine, always remember to remove it before getting into the water.
Artificial rubies and sapphires have gotten so good, they’re almost indistinguishable from the real thing. Synthetic stones have the same chemical and physical makeup as their natural counterparts but bear a significantly smaller price. A jeweler can fraudulently claim a sapphire is natural, but you won’t know for sure unless you have it examined by a gemologist.
Follow this article’s tips when you wish to purchase jewelry for someone or yourself. You might find yourself making more stylish jewelry selections, or even saving big money by recognizing good deals. Developing an eye for stylish, well-made jewelry comes with knowledge and experience of this ancient art form.
Alexandrite has a lot of encouraging qualities, but does not get as much press as other stones. It displays a spectrum of color, from green to purple, depending on whether you are outdoors or indoors. It can be made into rings, earrings, and pendants with any precious metal.