Jewelry is a passionate topic with many people, whether it’s for a person’s loved one or personal use. It’s good to know a little bit about jewelry, especially since there are so many types, ways to wear jewelry and so many ways to care for jewelry pieces. Keep reading for more insight and information on the joys of jewelry.
Arm yourself with a magnet and a magnifying glass when shopping for sterling silver jewelry. Take the magnet with you to find fake pieces of jewelery, sterling silver will not stick to the magnet. Also, look to make sure that silver is hallmarked and stamped with .925, sterling or ster. If there is no hallmark, the piece is probably not authentic and may, indeed, be counterfeit.
When shopping for genuine sterling silver jewelry, you need both a discerning eye and a small magnet. Use the magnet to detect fake jewelry; real silver will not be attracted to the magnet, but the cheaper metals will. In addition, sterling silver pieces are always stamped with silver hallmarks indicating such factors as the degree of purity, the manufacturer’s symbol, and the date of manufacture. Some of the most common hallmarks are “925, “ster,” “sterling,” and “sterling silver.” If there is no marking on the piece, it may not be sterling silver.
Know the type of gem you’re buying, when you buy it. The types of gems available are synthetic, imitation and natural. Both synthetic and natural gems are real; however, imitation is simply plastic. Synthetic gems are grown in a lab, natural gems are dug out of the Earth.
A good piece of jewelery can last you your whole life. Choose reputable jewelry dealers when considering your next jewelry purchase. The best jewelry is well-designed and well-made with close attention to detail. The jeweler should tell you about who made the piece and the origin of the stones. You need to buy quality jewelry so that you can pass it down as an heirloom.
Compare lots of diamonds before you settle on one to buy. Find a few reference pieces that you like, and see if other diamonds can do better. You must be a sharp consumer to avoid tricks that might make a diamond look better than it really is.
Pay attention if they usually wear studs or hoop earrings, white gold or yellow, and any other typical jewelry that they wear. Paying attention to these aspects of their current wardrobe will help you make a purchase they are more likely to enjoy.
Watch to see whether they usually wear necklaces or bracelets, or if they prefer dangly earrings to studs. Paying attention to these aspects of their current wardrobe will help you make a purchase they are more likely to enjoy.
Keep your jewelry free of tarnish to make it look its best. Do not wear jewelery around water. Many of the metals become tarnished, rusty or dull when they get exposed to the elements of water. A single coat of transparent nail polish may help protect certain types of metal.
If you can prevent your jewelry from tarnishing, it will surely look much more attractive. Never wear your jewelry when you are going to be near water. If you let some metals get wet too often, they can tarnish, rust or become dull. Applying a very thin covering of clear nail varnish to your jewelry offers an added degree of protection.
Consider stones when you are buying jewelry. Any stones that you choose should go with your skin tone and reflect your personality. Neutral colors work better to match all your clothing. It will be of no value to you to purchase jewels that are not easy to incorporate into your lifestyle.
Collecting costume jewelry is a popular pastime, but if you wish to participate, be careful of the condition of the jewelry. 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. Stick to pieces that are in good to excellent condition, as they are the best investments.
Costume Jewelry
You need to pay special attention when caring for costume jewelry. Many of the costume type settings are glued-in, rather than set-in. Costume jewelry should never be immersed or make contact 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 your costume jewelry looks perfect.
Costume jewelry has different, specific care requirements. Many of the costume type settings are glued-in, rather than set-in. Keep your costume jewelery away from water or chemicals. Wiping your jewelry off with with a slightly dampened cloth and then wiping it dry is usually sufficient to keep it clean. This will ensure that all of your costume jewelry looks like it did the day you bought it.
By wearing a brooch, your belt will be accented and look more interesting. Pin it near your hip or your waist’s center.
Men and women alike can get overwhelmed by jewelry at times, be it price, style, care or appropriate occasion. Even expensive designer pieces are reproduced and sold at a reasonable price.
If you put on your jewelry only after you have put on your makeup, you will have to clean it less. Makeup can gravitate dust and grime towards your jewelry leaving it to look dull. This is especially true when earrings and necklaces are concerned.