Have you been wanting accessorize your clothes and give your style a much needed boost of color by selecting the perfect piece of jewelry? Perhaps you have a close friend or sweetheart whom you want to give jewelry to? Whatever your situation, this article can provide you with some handy jewelry tips.
Keep your whole jewelry collection sparkling with a polishing cloth. This is a natural way to shine all of your jewelry without relying on abrasives or other harsh chemicals. Use the dual-sided cloth to gently buff your jewelry as you would a delicate glass. Use one side to shine it and the other to polish it.
Harsh chemicals and solvents can damage the finish of your jewelry and should never be used to clean it. Doing so can destroy enamel finishes, while clouding stones and crystals.
Do not use harsh chemicals such as ammonia, bleach, turpentine or acetone to clean them. This can cause your stones to turn and dull in color, along with eating away any enamel on the pieces.
Quality Piece
When shopping for genuine sterling silver jewelry, you need both a discerning eye and a small magnet. Metals that aren’t precious will connect to the magnet, signaling that it is fake. If your silver is sterling, you will also notice a mark on the piece. This mark might state .925, sterling, or ster. If the piece that you are looking at is not hallmarked, this is usually the sign that it is a fake.
When you purchase jewelry, you are investing in an item that will last a lifetime. To ensure you are buying a quality piece, refuse to deal with anybody but the most reputable of jewelers. You should be able to notice a quality piece by its craftsmanship. The jeweler should be able to give you a history on the piece, like who crafted it and where the stones came from if there are any. A quality item of jewelry will last a lifetime or more, so take the time to do your research.
Know the distinctions between kinds of gems before you make a jewelry purchase. There are three different types: natural, synthetic and imitation. While both natural and synthetic stones are still real, imitation is just glass or plastic made to look like the natural stone. Natural stones are found in mines, while synthetic stones are produced by machines.
Look at what they are wearing now. Do they like hoops or studs? Does the person prefer chokers or loose fitting necklaces? These answers should give you a reasonable starting point for your shopping.
When purchasing jewelry from a respected jeweler, inquire as to whether they offer an insurance policy. This is so that if something happens to your piece, you can return it to have it replaced or repaired. Sometimes you can even get replacement coverage for loss or theft.
Ask the jeweler what type of insurance is available for your purchase. If something happens to your piece, you’ll know you can take it to the jeweler you bought it from, who will repair it or replace the piece. There are jewelers who offer insurance for misplaced or lost jewelry, too.
You need to pay attention to care and maintenance if you intend to build up a costume jewelry collection. Costume jewelery pieces can be expensive but they are not worth the investment if they look too old. Investing in quality means that you can enjoy the jewelry for many years to come.
Keep your jewelry free of tarnish to make it look its best. Don’t wear jewelry near water. Water can cause some metals to lose their luster or to become tarnished or rusty. If you must take your jewelry somewhere wet, prepare it by adding some clear nail polish on the surface.
You should wear the jewelry for a few days to see how it feels and if it is comfortable. By wearing it yourself, you can also gauge the ruggedness of the piece.
Give the jewelry a test-run by wearing it for a day. Does it feel comfortable and hang properly? In this way, you will be able to tell if the item will withstand normal wear.
Try on a few different stones when you are shopping for jewelry. Choose stones that complement your complexion and that best reflect your personality. Your best bet is to choose a natural color to match any outfit. As long as you’re spending money, it makes more sense to purchase something that is functional as well as beautiful.
To maintain the shine and finish on your jewelry, do not put it on until you’ve done your hair and makeup. Putting jewelry on prior to applying makeup or hairspray allows gunk and grime from your beauty products to settle on the jewelry, leaving it dull and potentially harming the finish. Especially keep this tip in mind for necklaces or earrings.
Think about how best ways to look after your jewelry. Different styles of jewelry affect the way they need to be cared for; one type of metal will need a different treatment than another, for example. A treatment that polishes one stone may scratch another stone. Speak with a knowlegeable jeweler if you do not know the best way to take care of your jewels.
Have a use in mind for every piece of jewelry you buy. There’s no sense in spending a lot of money of pieces that you’ll never wear. Try to match the jewelry that you purchase with your style of clothing.
Remember that even costume jewelry needs careful attention. Often, stones will be glued into their settings, which makes them more prone to falling out than regular jewelry. Don’t let them go under water or clean them with strong chemicals, or you could dissolve the glue. The best way to care for your jewelry is to use one damp cloth to wipe it followed by a dry one to dry it. This will make your current costume jewelry look great.
This goes for any type of sauna, either steam or dry. The high levels of moisture and heat are very damaging to the jewelry.
When deciding on which jewelry pieces to buy, look through the sales advertisements. You can save big money with the right sale. You will find advertisements for the sales in a variety of media mediums including on the net, in newspapers, and also in the stores themselves. If a particular piece was designed to fit a current trend, and that trend is nearing conclusion, then you could make a saving as big as 50%.
If you want gold jewelry, prepare to pay through the nose due to high gold prices. If you simply must have a gold necklace, ring or bracelet, you can spend less by getting fewer karats. An 18 karat piece is comprised of no less than 75 percent of pure gold, which is generally considered by many to be the most optimal combination of quality and price.
It is critical that the photos and descriptions you use to sell jewelry online are attractive and high-quality. This is quite key since your customer can not physically see and feel the jewelry when purchasing it online. Take photos of your jewelry in a place where the focus is on the piece instead of the background.
For example, choose a beautiful piece of onyx jewelry to attract attention at your next important event. Be friendlier with your wallet and you may just like the results.
Use decorative robe hooks to prevent your necklaces from becoming tangled and knotted. 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. No longer will you have to contend with knotted, tangled balls of chains in your jewelry box. Plus, the artfully arranged necklaces make an aesthetically pleasing addition to your room.
For the longest time, rubies have held a special place in the world of jewelry. While true rubies are always red, there are a myriad shades of red from vivid deep rose pinks to nearly maroon. This beautiful jewel is very durable and can stand up to exposure to chemicals as well as a sharp impact. Both their appearance and their toughness make them perfect to use in jewelry.
Don’t just buy a piece of jewelry because of what the brand is. Most people won’t know where you got the piece, and you will probably pay too much because of the name on it. Quality jewelry can be found across a variety of brands.
Sparkling gems from diamonds to sapphires, metals including gold, silver, and so many more, an infinity of different designs – the possibilities are endless with jewelry. Hopefully this article has broadened your horizons on the subject a bit. If you choose quality jewelry, you will enjoy it for many years.
An excellent suggestion is to keep in mind that large jewelry should be combined with simple outfits. Try wearing something simple or solid color to bring attention to jewelery.