Many people are passionate about jewelry, both for themselves and others. With the variety of jewelry that is available and the specifics concerning its wear and care, it helps to have some knowledge. This advice can help you find some answers!
Do not clean your jewelry with chemicals such as bleach or ammonia. Doing so can destroy enamel finishes, while clouding stones and crystals.
Be cautious of storing all of your pieces of jewelry together. Using boxes, hooks, holders, and compartments is very effective for ensuring the pieces stay separated. Resist the urge to jumble all your pieces together in one box or basket. This can harm delicate parts, and tangle some pieces with others, like necklaces.
Some precious metals and gems need to be kept away from moisture and humidity. To maximize protection, put your jewelry in a jewelry box or a small drawstring bag. Air and humidity can cause the metals that the jewelry are made of to tarnish. Precious metals are able to be polished and retain their luster, but the non-precious metals have a coat, and polishing will cause the metal under it to show through.
Keep jewelry stored safely and away from both air and humidity. Keep your jewelry in a drawstring bag or in a box that is made for jewelry. Continued exposure to humidity extremes or air causes metals typically used in jewelry to tarnish. Precious metal jewelry can be polished to fix tarnish, but non-precious metals coated with a finish will never get back to their previous state.
If you want to buy sterling silver pieces, use a magnet and examine the jewelry very carefully. If an item of jewelry is attracted by a magnet, it is not sterling silver! Only non-precious metals can be drawn to a magnet. You will always find a hallmark stamp such as “.925” or “STER.” on genuine sterling, or alternately, it might simply say, “STERLING”. If the piece you’re inspecting doesn’t carry such a mark, be careful, as it is likely a fake.
Sterling Silver
What color gold do they seem to favor – white or yellow? Do they normally wear a bracelet? What type of earrings do they prefer – drop and dangle or studs? Take a mental note of this important information. Once you are aware of their preferences, you will be in a better position to determine what to buy them.
If you are looking to purchase sterling silver jewelry make sure that you have a magnet with you and a good eye. Precious metals, like sterling silver, will not be attracted to the magnet. You can generally tell genuine sterling silver by its stamp, which will look something like “.925 ster.” Be wary of jewelery without any kind of hallmark, as often it is fake.
Test it out by wearing it yourself; you don’t want to give a piece that will be uncomfortable or awkward for the recipient. You can also make a better estimate of the jewelry’s durability after trying it out.
Every piece of jewelry should last you a life-time. To ensure you are buying a quality piece, refuse to deal with anybody but the most reputable of jewelers. They should show a lot of craftsmanship, as well as be well-made. Your jeweler should have all the information on the piece, including where it came from and who created it. When you choose a piece of jewelry that is high in quality, it can become a heirloom that will last forever.
Consider stones when you are buying jewelry. Think about your skin tone, and also think about your personality as you choose your favorite stones. Also think about what color clothing you wear often, and chose a neutral color that will match many of the outfits in your closet. Non-functional jewelry is just a waste of money as it will sit unused.
Pay close attention to the design and style of their earrings, which may be hoops, gauges, studs, or something new. He or she may also have a preference towards gold, silver, or a different material. This information will allow you to purchase that special piece that they will treasure for life.
Caring for your jewelry properly is important; you should definitely give it some consideration. Jewelry is composed of different stones, metals, and settings that all require different care to be properly maintained. What works for a certain kind of stone may not work for another. Whenever you buy a new piece of jewelry, ask the jeweler the best way to clean and maintain it.
Preventing tarnish will keep your jewelry look its best. One of the best ways to keep your jewelry looking beautiful is to avoid wearing it in water. Water can cause some metals to lose their luster or to become tarnished or rusty. To protect your jewelry from exposure, apply a single coat of clear nail lacquer to its surface.
Take good care of your costume jewelry. Many pieces of costume jewelry have the stones glued on, for example. Take care not to use chemicals or lots of water in an attempt to clean your costume jewelry. It is best to have two cloths ready, one warm with water and one dry, to use to wipe your jewelry. This will ensure that your costume jewelry looks perfect.
Costume Jewelry
Steam saunas and dry ones are very much included. The reason for this is that the heat and the moisture can taint the jewelry and cause problems.
Costume jewelry should be treated differently than your other jewelry. Many pieces of costume jewelry have the stones glued on, for example. Don’t immerse costume jewelry in water, and never wash costume jewelery pieces with harsh chemicals. Wiping it down with a damp, warm cloth and then drying it with another cloth is the best care for it. This will ensure that all of your costume jewelry looks like it did the day you bought it.
Take the time to shop at several different stores, both online and offline, when considering a diamond jewelry purchase. Each diamond is different and has its different flaws. Some flaws are not as obtrusive as others, but you need to see a diamond in person to discern if a flaw is important or not to you. And each jeweler will set price differently according to flaws. Shop around to find a great, high-quality diamond at an affordable price.
Before you buy a gemstone, it is important that you learn about the treatment process it underwent. Different treatments come with different requirements for cleaning and storage. Knowing the proper care techniques for your gemstone will prevent you from accidentally damaging it by stripping it of its protective treatment.
When you are shopping for gifts, why not consider a jewelry set? It is often possible to get a good deal on jewelry sets at a jewelry store. Give away one piece at a time to different people throughout the years. That way you will never have to worry about what to get that person.
Try searching for sales when purchasing jewelry. If the sale is a good one, you can save a lot of money. Check the newspaper, the Internet, and signs in store windows to find the best sales. Consider buying something that is out of style to get a better deal.
Ensure that the clasps of your jewelry are sturdy and reliable. You risk losing your necklace, and the expensive stones attached to it, if your clasp fails. It is always in your best interest to fit expensive pieces with a safety clasp. It is common to have two or three clasps for expensive jewelry.
Some people find the appropriate selection of jewelry for particular occasions to be baffling. Others are puzzled by the pricing of precious metals and gems. You’ll find that the tips you’ve read in the above article will assist you in overcoming your frustration and being able to easily and quickly select the jewelry item which is perfect for your situation.
Necklaces often get tangled, so consider buying stylish robe hooks with embellishments to hang them and keep them untangled. You can hang a whole row of these small pieces of hardware along a wall or the back of a closet door, then hang your necklaces in groups by color or length. Hanging your necklaces will keep them looking nice, keep them from becoming tangled together and can work as a beautiful display as well.