Jewelry can be intimidating if you aren’t familiar with it. Perhaps you’ve received a gift or inheritance, or purchased a piece on a whim. Where should you look to find information about jewelry in relation to artistic tradition? This article outlines many useful hints you can use to be more educated about jewelry.
The use of polishing cloths are helpful in cleaning your jewelry. This is a chemical-free method to maintain the appearance of your fine jewelry. Simply use the two-sided polishing cloth to polish your jewelry the same way you would polish a glass. First use the polishing side, and finish with the other side to make it shine.
Polish your jewelry regularly with a jeweler’s polishing cloth. You can keep your items shiny without using chemicals. All you do is polish it like you would a glass with the two-sided cloth. Use the side of the cloth that is designed for polishing to remove fingerprints, dust and other surface imperfections, and then use the opposite side to buff the jewelry and make it gleam.
Have shopping companions when you shop for diamonds. Take a close look at a truly top notch diamond, and then hold everything else you consider to that standard. You must be a sharp consumer to avoid tricks that might make a diamond look better than it really is.
Sterling Silver
For jewelry to stay shiny and new-looking, it is important to keep it from tarnishing. Try not to wear jewelry when you are around water. Lots of jewelry materials are dulled or tarnished by water exposure. You can give your jewelry an additional layer of protection by applying a thin coat of clear nail polish to it.
To distinguish between real and fake, bring a magnet when you shop for sterling silver jewelry. You can tell if a piece of silver is sterling or not by using a magnet. Sterling will not react to the magnet, but non-precious metals will be attracted. Sterling silver will always be hallmarked with a stamp such as .925, ster. or sterling. If there is no marking on the piece, it may not be sterling silver.
If you want to start a costume jewelry collection, it is important to be aware of the pieces’ condition. While normally is a beautiful investment, a piece of costume jewelry that is in poor condition is not worth buying. Jewelry that’s in good repair can be a much better investment.
Always be aware of the type of stone you’re buying when dealing with gems. Gems are divided into three main categories: imitation, synthetic and natural. While natural and synthetic stones are the real deal, imitation stones are made to look like a real gemstone, but could be anything from colored glass to plastic. Synthetic gems come from a lab and natural ones are found in the ground.
Keep your jewelry unsoiled by only putting it on after all of your makeup has been applied. Dust from your makeup can end up on your jewelry, and this can make it look dull. Earrings and necklaces are especially prone to this kind of contamination.
Jewelry should be a purchase that truly lasts a lifetime. When choosing jewelry, you should always buy from a reputable store or dealer, in order to ensure you only get high-quality pieces. High quality jewelry is well-crafted and made of exceptional materials. Your jeweler should have all the information on the piece, including where it came from and who created it. It is essential to purchase high-quality jewelry if you want it to become a treasured heirloom passed down for generations.
When deciding on which jewelry pieces to buy, look through the sales advertisements. Finding the right sale can save you a lot of money. Watch for sales in the newspaper, on the Internet, and even in the stores themselves. Keep an eye out for deep discounts on jewelry styles that are nearing the end of their popularity. The price is right for what is still a lovely piece of jewelry.
Be sure to at least inquire about the insurance that is available when you buy jewelry from a reputable jeweler. That way, if something were to happen to your jewelry, you can easily bring it back to the jeweler who will fix or replace it. Some jewelers have insurance policies that cover lost of stolen jewelry, also.
Untangle a delicate necklace easily. It’s easy to get frustrated when trying to get the knots out of a badly tangled necklace, but try using some plastic wrap before you call it quits. Place the chain in on the plastic wrap and add a few drops of baby oil onto the knots. If the jewelry is tangled and knotted, try using needles to unknot the strands. Once it’s untangled, use dish soap to wash the necklace and pat it dry.
When shopping for jewelry, think about the stones in the pieces. The right stone will enhance your skin tone and make a statement about your personality. Neutral colors are versatile enough to wear with any outfit in your closet. As long as you’re spending money, it makes more sense to purchase something that is functional as well as beautiful.
Think about the outfits you will wear it with when you buy a piece of jewelry. You want to ensure that you purchase a piece of jewelry that you will actually wear. Try to match the jewelry that you purchase with your style of clothing.
Costume Jewelry
Don’t swim wearing your jewelry. Chlorine from a pool is a chemical and can tarnish and damage precious jewelry. Salt water can be equally damaging over time. It is advisable to remove all jewelry prior to participating in any water sports to protect and extend the life of your jewelry.
Costume jewelry needs special care. Many of the components of costume jewelry are glued into their settings rather than held in with prongs or other more permanent methods. Keep your costume jewelery away from water or chemicals. Use a damp cloth, then dry it with another clean, dry cloth. This will clean off any residue and make it look like new, without damaging it.
If you are truly desirous of an elegant piece of jewelry, high gold prices may be a hindrance to you. You can save some money, though. You just need to be a little flexible about the number of karats you will accept. For example, a piece that is classed as 18 karat is a minimum of 75% pure gold. This is felt, by many, to be the best value for money when comparing quality to price.
Think about ordering custom jewelery if you want to make an original gift to someone who counts for you. This shows that you are both thoughtful and creative, traits that someone who would want a unique piece of jewelry is likely to value.
Artificial rubies and sapphires have gotten so good, they’re almost indistinguishable from the real thing. These fancy stones might look physically and chemically identical, but the fake ones are much cheaper in cost compared to the natural and flawless gems. Don’t spring for a supposedly natural sapphire until you have it check for “natural inclusions” by a gemologist with a good reputation.
Before you purchase gemstone jewelry, you should first determine if and how the stone was treated. Care for your gemstone is different, depending on how it was previously treated. You don’t want to clean them with a type of solution that could strip the treatment or damage the gem.
These days, a lot of people are mixing silver and gold in their jewelry. If you wish to achieve this, you should get jewelery that has both metals combined into one. Trying to mix radically different pieces can often have disastrous results.
When deciding on which jewelry pieces to buy, look through the sales advertisements. The right sale will save you a lot of cash. Look for great deals in old-fashioned newspapers, on the Internet, and even at retail stores. 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%.
Buy a piece of jewelry you can reasonably afford. One of the worst financial mistakes you can make is to rack up your debt for a showy piece of jewelry. If this is for a young couple, it might be the best decision to start out with a cheaper ring. Once they have established themselves financially, they may choose to update the piece to increase its value.
Even knotted necklaces with delicate loops can be untangled. It is tempting to throw in the towel against knotted metal, but plastic wrap should be reached for instead. After you place the necklace on top of the wrap, cover it in baby oil. Use a straight pin to untangle the knot. Use a mild liquid soap to remove the oil and then pat dry with a towel.
Clean the piece carefully with a damp cloth to preserve its setting. Then use a cloth to dry off the piece totally. Do not ever clean your jewelery with any chemicals that may damage the stones or harm the settings.
Don’t focus on brand when buying a piece of jewelry. Most people won’t know where you got the piece, and you will probably pay too much because of the name on it. There are excellent quality jewelry pieces from various brands.
An engagement ring is a monumental purchase in your life, as you will want to understand all of the costs associated. Diamond shopping may be an emotional endeavor. When you buy diamonds, you can sometimes get caught up in that moment, and it can be easy to lose sight of the budget you had planned.
Onyx and crystal can be wonderful jewelry options. It’s possible to save money, and be happy with your results.
You should take good care of your hands and keep them attractive if you enjoy wearing rings. To keep the focus on your pretty rings and not your unkempt hands, keep your nails manicured or at least trimmed and buffed and use hand creams to keep your skin soft and supple.
If you’re going to wear gaudy jewelry, don’t wear a gaudy outfit to match. Try wearing something like a black skirt and white top in order to show off your piece of jewelry.
When you and your future spouse are shopping for an engagement ring, don’t just consider the ring styles, but consider your lifestyles as well. The ring you pick out should speak to your identity, your significant other’s, and the shared life you intend to build together. Think of this ring as a memory and a symbol of your relationship.
Know your jewelry budget before you shop. Extra debt being incurred for the sake of having a flashy bracelet to wear is a very unhealthy financial choice. Young couples should aim to purchase a less expensive ring when starting out. After they are more financially sound, the ring can always be upgraded.
Jewelry is no different from any of your other valuables in that it requires proper care and cleaning. Prior to cleaning your jewelry, check to ensure that there aren’t any scratches or loose stones. If so, cleaning the item may actually make the problem worse. If you find out that there are damages, take them directly to the jeweler that is local to you for repair and cleaning.
There are so many things to know and appreciate about the world of jewelry. With some research and dedication, you can be sure you are buying some quality pieces and take care of the the right way. When you first start out with jewelry, it is like a whole other world, and it is one flush with excitement and beauty. These tips should give you a nice head-start in exploring this wide world.
Wearing cufflinks or not can be a tough decision. Most of the time, it’s best to wear cufflinks when you’re wearing an expensive dress shirt. Cufflinks help complete the look, so try matching them to the suit and to the shirt style you plan on wearing.