Whether the jewelry is for you or someone else, jewelry is something many people enjoy. For those who have jewelry, it is important to know a little about taking care of it correctly. This article was written to help you get answers to some of those questions.
Do not use any chemicals on your jewelery stones. Doing so can destroy enamel finishes, while clouding stones and crystals.
To keep your jewelry looking attractive, polish it regularly using a cloth made especially for this purpose. This helps keep your jewelry shiny without the need for chemical cleansers, which can damage the pieces. Use the two-sided cloth to polish your jewelry as if you were cleaning glass. One side is designed to polish, and the other is used to make the piece shine.
Take care to store your jewelry safely. Use a box that has several different compartments and hooks to keep your pieces apart. 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.
Don’t use things that contain harsh chemicals like bleach, ammonia, acetone or turpentine, to clean your jewelry. Using them may result in damage to your jewelry, may cause dulling of gemstones, and may erode enamel work.
When you go shopping for sterling silver jewelry pieces, take with you a magnet and a monocle. Use the magnet to detect fake jewelry; real silver will not be attracted to the magnet, but the cheaper metals will. You can recognize sterling silver by stamps that say ‘.925’ or ‘ster’. If a particular piece is not stamped, you should be cautious of its authenticity.
The metals in jewelry can tarnish if exposed to humid air, so you will want to store them in a way that protects them. Keep them stored safely in a closed, dark area, like a jewelry box or drawstring bag. Air and humidity can tarnish metals of all types. It is possible to restore precious metals to their previous state, but it’s better to avoid damaging them in the first place.
When you buy jewelry, it should last the rest of your life. Choose reputable jewelry dealers when considering your next jewelry purchase. Any high-quality jewelry will show superior craftsmanship, and will be well-made. A jeweler should know about each piece he sells, including the person that made it, the origin of precious stones or other materials and other history, such as previous owners for antique or estate pieces. Making sure that it is high-quality will ensure that it lasts forever.
Sterling Silver
Do some price comparisons before you commit to buying a piece of diamond jewelry. View the piece you are currently considering closely and then compare it against some other pieces that are in the running. You should be aware that there are many deceptive people trying to sell jewelry; therefore, it is essential to learn and understand what is involved when selecting a new diamond.
When you are shopping for jewelry in sterling silver, be sure to examine the piece closely, and take along a magnet for metal testing. You are able to detect fake pieces of sterling jewelry with a magnet, as non-precious metals are attracted by the magnet. If your silver is sterling, you will also notice a mark on the piece. This mark might state .925, sterling, or ster. Be wary of pieces that lack any silver hallmarks, as this is an indication that they’re not genuine sterling silver.
Do they prefer to wear over-sized pieces or more delicate styles? Yellow gold or silver? This should give you a grasp of their tastes, and some ideas about what to buy for them.
Before you buy any new jewelry, you should look around for the latest trends. The only thing that can make picking out a fantastic piece of jewelry better is if you get it at a discount.
Test it out by wearing it yourself; you don’t want to give a piece that will be uncomfortable or awkward for the recipient. In this way, you will be able to tell if the item will withstand normal wear.
Before purchasing a piece of jewelry, be sure to ask the jeweler about insurance policies. Insurance policies allow you to bring a defective or broken piece into the jewelry store for repair. For more expensive pieces, look for a jeweler that offers insurance for lost or stolen items.
Research the proper methods for cleaning your jewelry. Not all types of jewelry can be cleaned in the same manner. What works well with one type of precious stone may actually harm another. If you are uncertain what the best practice is for caring for a particular piece of jewelry, ask your jeweler.
You need to know how to care for each piece in your jewelry collection. Depending on the metals and stones used in your jewelry, along with how they are set, you will need different maintenance methods. What is beneficial to one stone or setting may hurt another. If you can’t find information about caring for a specific piece of jewelry, consult a trusted jeweler.
Buying jewelry in sets is worth considering when you want to give that special someone a gift. Jewelry stores often offer remarkable deals on jewelry sets. You could divide the set up and give one piece as a gift for each holiday throughout the year. This practice will ensure that you have appealing gifts planned out for a long time in the future.
If you are in the market for jewelry, always seek out sales. Buying at the right moment can mean big savings. Check ads in the newspaper, on the Internet, and in stores for the best deals. Consider buying something that is out of style to get a better deal.
Every necklace, bracelet or anklet can benefit from a quality clasp. Unless your necklace or bracelet has a durable closure, you risk losing expensive or sentimental pendants, stones and charms. For very expensive items, like diamond necklaces or gold bracelets, a strong clasp is essential. For very expensive items, some consumers choose to increase security with an additional clasp or two.
Plastic Wrap
Use attractive robe hooks to hang your necklaces, keeping them tangle-free. 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 can make your bedroom look more stylish and help you select the best necklace for your outfit.
Be careful when untangling your delicate necklaces. Believe it or not, you can use plastic wrap to untangle jewelry. Put the necklace on the plastic wrap and add a little mineral oil or baby oil. Use a sewing needle to untangle the necklace. When finished, wash it with a little dishwashing liquid and pat dry.
The price of gold is a major limiting factor to being able to afford beautiful gold jewelry. Karat selection is a way to reduce the price of your gold jewelry. For the best compromise between price and quality, consider 18kt gold jewelry which is comprised of 75-percent pure gold.
Comparison shopping for diamonds is critical. Every single diamond is unique and has individual flaws. Seeing a diamond in person will help you determine whether you can accept a given imperfection. Every jeweler is able to price point differently, depending on the flaw. Shop around and find the best diamond you can for the price you can afford.
Combining large decorative jewelry with basic outfits can have quite the effect. Instead, allow your jewelry to remain the focal point by pairing it with solid colors and classic lines.
A good quality clap is very important to any necklace or bracelet. Without a solid clasp, your pendant, chain or expensive stone is at risk for loss. If you have expensive or heirloom items, invest in a safety clasp. There are those who add one or two extra clasps to their expensive jewelry items to be certain of their safety.
Show your significant other how much you are in love by surprising them with jewelry. All women are delighted when they receive a piece of jewelry, especially when it is unanticipated. The joy for you will be in watching the amazement show on her face when you give her the box.
Of course, higher gold prices also increases the cost for new gold jewelry. You can save a bit of money on a gold piece by getting lower karats. 18 karat gold is a popular option, being 75% pure the quality, as well as the price makes it an attractive choice for those in the market to purchase gold.
If you really want a gorgeous, striking diamond effect, try the uniqueness of an illusion setting. This setting has a mirrored plate upon the ring prior to the diamond being set. This will exaggerate the diamond’s sparkle and size when it is on the hand. This type of special setting can be harder to repair, which is a potential drawback.
If you are a jewelry maker and sell it at craft shows and other sales, you may need new ideas for displaying it. While you source your jewelry materials, keep an eye out for display ideas. Use your imagination. Many types of craft boxes make excellent display pieces.
When you’re cleaning your valuables over a sink, try to avoid dropping or losing them by plugging the drain ahead of time. It’s too easy for a piece of your precious jewelry to slip from your grasp when covered in soap. Do not forget plug the drain so you can get your jewelery back if it falls in the water.
Artificial Ones
Buying jewelry that is used can be extremely cost effective. You generally can’t tell the difference between brand new and used in items of jewelry, plus the cost is normally a lot better for used so your dollar will go a lot further.
It can be hard to tell natural rubies and sapphires from artificial ones. These beautiful stones are chemically and physically identical, but the artificial ones can be supplied for a fraction of the cost of natural flawless ones. Before buying natural sapphire, have a gemologist to view its natural inclusions.
If your personal jewelry style involves piling on multiple rings, you should take excellent care of your hands. Be sure to have your nails manicured, or at least trim them and buff them yourself, to set an attractive stage to showcase your jewelry.
Alexandrite is a unique stone, which many often forget to consider. The color changes range from green to purple, dependent on whether you are inside or out. It can be made into rings, earrings, and pendants with any precious metal.
Choose an engagement ring that reflects both your style and your lifestyle. Ideally, your ring should be a good fit with your lifestyle, and it should reflect your relationship. Think of this ring as a memory and a symbol of your relationship.
It is becoming increasingly popular to wear silver and gold jewelry at the same time. The easiest way to try this trend is with a single piece that contains both metals. Trying to mix radically different pieces can often have disastrous results.
If you wear your diamond jewelry everyday, make sure that you have the pieces professional cleaned every six months. A gemologist cleans your jewelry, but also examines it for damage.
Proper care of your setting requires you to gently wipe the piece with a damp cloth. Follow this with another soft cloth for drying off the piece. Neither costume nor fashion jewelry should be exposed to steam cleaning or cleaning with harsh chemicals.
Take off loose rings before doing dishes or laundry. The risk of losing your ring down the drain is great when your hand is soapy and wet, and having to pull your drain out and fish inside it is a dirty and difficult task.
If the one you really want is not affordable right now, get something simpler and then upgrade to what you want later when you can afford it. You can add it later on for a momentous occasion, like an anniversary. There are jewelers who offer a buy back programs where you may trade in your unwanted ring.
Spending your hard-earned cash on an expensive piece of jewelry is a big investment. Wait for your chance, and keep in mind that somewhere waiting for you is a piece of jewelry that you will cherish every day.
Jewelry can be very overwhelming, it is necessary to consider pricing, style, and care. These tips should have helped you sort out some of your own confusion.
Gemstones now have purchasing options such as synthetic and laboratory-created stones. These stones look very similar to natural stones. One obvious advantage of choosing a synthetic stone is that it costs far less thanks to its greater availability.