The idea of beautiful jewelry can be as exquisite as the actual jewelry pieces themselves. Jewelry gives material form to memories and acts as a symbol of important relationships, such as engagements and marriages. If you learn as much as you can about taking care of your jewelry, you can get the most out of memories or if you are planning on getting rid of it.
To keep your jewelry looking attractive, polish it regularly using a cloth made especially for this purpose. It will allow you to make your jewelry look as good as new without the use of chemicals. Buff your jewelry with the two-sided cloth, just as if you were cleaning a glass. Polish jewelry with one side of the cloth, then flip it over and shine jewelry with the other side.
Keep your jewelry stored somewhere that is free from humidity or air. Store jewelry in a sealed box or drawstring pouch for the best protection. When non-precious and precious metals are expose to air and humidity, they tend to tarnish. It’s possible to restore precious metals through polishing, but lesser-quality metals may suffer permanent damage.
If you are shopping unmarked sterling silver jewelry, then by all means bring a magnet. Take the magnet with you to find fake pieces of jewelery, sterling silver will not stick to the magnet. Sterling silver should always bear a stamp that says Sterling, Ster. or .925. If the piece you’re inspecting doesn’t carry such a mark, be careful, as it is likely a fake.
A magnet is a useful tool when shopping for jewelry in sterling silver. Magnets attract non-precious metals, and you can use this fact to detect fakes. You will always find a hallmark stamp such as “.925” or “STER.” on genuine sterling, or alternately, it might simply say, “STERLING”. If you cannot find a stamp, you might be looking at a cheap imitation.
When you are shopping for diamonds, there are ways to compare the stones. Always see the piece up close, and compare it critically to any others you’re considering. Keep an eye out for deceptive tricks to cause you to think a diamond is better than it actually is.
A piece of jewelry should be long lasting. Get jewelry from a jeweler with a good reputation to be sure that it’s of high-quality. Quality jewelry will be constructed to last, and show a fine attention to detail. A good jeweler can provide you with some background on the piece, such as who crafted it, where it was manufactured, and where any stones in it came from. Choosing a high-quality piece of jewelry is important, so that it will last forever.
Take note of whether they wear hoop earrings or studs, yellow gold or white gold, an ankle bracelet, etc. This is a great place to start when picking out that special item.
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. Noticing these things lets you choose jewelry more suited to their tastes.
If you want to maintain the look of your jewelry, you should prevent it from becoming tarnished. Try not to wear jewelry when you are around water. This could cause your jewelery to rust or become more dull. Use a thinner coat of your clear nail polish on your jewelry for extra protection.
For jewelry to stay shiny and new-looking, it is important to keep it from tarnishing. When you are close to water, do not wear your jewelry. If you let some metals get wet too often, they can tarnish, rust or become dull. If you want to give your jewelry a measure of protection from this element, coat it thinly with clear nail polish.
Going through a day wearing the jewelry will let you get familiar with how it hangs and whether or not it will be comfortable. By wearing it yourself, you can also gauge the ruggedness of the piece.
If you want costume jewelery, you will have to take care of it. Costume jewelry can be very expensive and a great investment, but a piece that shows too much wear and tear will not be worth the money or time. A piece that is free of any defects or wear not only looks better, but is also a better investment.
Consider stones when you are buying jewelry. Any stones that you choose should go with your skin tone and reflect your personality. Think about how the stones will work with your style, and pick neutral colors that go with everything in your wardrobe. Buying something that does not work with multiple outfits is pointless.
Consider the stones whenever you buy jewelry. Choose stones that have a reflection on your personality and that also complement the color of your skin. Choose neutral colors that will easily match any outfit you decide to wear. There is no point in buying something that is not functional.
Find out what the ideal methods are for maintaining each piece of jewelry you own. Depending on the metals and stones used in your jewelry, along with how they are set, you will need different maintenance methods. Along the same lines, enhancing different stones and settings requires you to take different steps. If you are unfamiliar with the correct way to clean or maintain a piece, consult a jeweler.
Find out what the ideal methods are for maintaining each piece of jewelry you own. Take into account that different types of material takes different types of care, like stones and metals. What works well with one type of precious stone may actually harm another. Ask a jeweler to make sure you know how to maintain your items.
Costume jewelry needs special care. Many costume jewelry pieces are glued rather than set. You want to avoid using strong chemicals or immersion baths on your costume jewelry. The most effective way to safely clean them is wiping with a damp cloth, then drying with a different, soft cloth. This keeps costume jewelry looking its best.
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.
Keep all of your jewelry cleaner by putting it on only after you have applied all makeup and perfume. Makeup will settle into your jewelry making it look dull and dingy. This applies to necklaces and earrings more than anything else.
Jewelry sets can make a great present if you are looking for a creative gift for someone. It is not uncommon for jewelers to offer special discounts on matched sets. Consider splitting apart the set and giving your loved one a single piece at a time. This practice will ensure that you have appealing gifts planned out for a long time in the future.
Make sure you look into the history of your gemstone, especially if it was treated at all. Care for your gemstone is different, depending on how it was previously treated. If you have a treated gem you should avoid any solution that could damage the gem by stripping the treatment.
Any type of necklace or bracelet should have a strong clasp. You may end up losing a treasured or costly piece through no fault of your own. You can avoid this by looking at the clasps prior to purchasing new pieces. For particularly expensive or sentimental pieces of jewelry, it is recommended you have a safety clasp installed. There are those who add one or two extra clasps to their expensive jewelry items to be certain of their safety.
Take extra care when you are untangling necklaces. Don’t be tempted to give up on the tangled metal. It’s plastic wrap to the rescue. Apply baby oil or mineral oil to your necklace after placing it on the plastic wrap. It is possible to untangle very snarled necklaces with a needle. When you are done, use soap and water to wash them.
Buying, selling or owning jewelry, involves investing in something almost priceless, which is the memory itself. Jewelry is often more than just a piece of metal or stones, it is a memory from a moment in time, shrouded with emotions from the giver, as well as the recipient.
The size of the diamond is not as important as its cut and clarity. Most important of all, make sure that the piece you choose complements the nature of the intended receiver.