Jewelry inspires passion in a lot of people. It helps to be somewhat educated about different jewelry pieces as, due to the huge variety of materials used in jewelry making, each piece can require different wearing and caring instructions. Learn how to sort your jewelry for storage.
Keep your jewelry in a relatively air-tight container, and minimize its exposure to humidity. For maximum protection you can choose to store them inside of a small drawstring or a closed jewelry box. Being submitted to extreme humidity and temperature can cause your pieces to tarnish. It is possible to polish precious metals, but polishing non-precious metals will damage the coating, which makes the copper that metal was covering show.
Precious Metals
Take a magnet and a keen eye with you when you head out to purchase any jewelry made from sterling silver. Jewelry made with non-precious metals will be attracted to the magnet, revealing any fakes. If your silver is sterling, you will also notice a mark on the piece. This mark might state .925, sterling, or ster. If you don’t see such a mark, you might want to reconsider the purchase. This is usually an indication that the piece is fake.
Store your jewelry in a place that is not subjected to humidity extremes or open air. A jewelry box or drawstring bag out of a humid area is ideal. Tarnish is a chemical reaction that happens when silver and other metals are exposed to moisture and air. Precious metals are capable of being polished until they are like new, while non-precious metals will not be able to be saved. This is because the non-precious metals are simple copper metal coated with the covering of precious metals, and when polished, they will allow the copper to show through.
Be sure to pay attention to details like type of metal and shape. This will help you get started in your search for the perfect item of jewelry for your loved one.
If you are in the market to buy some silver jewelry, don’t forget to take a magnet along with you. As a precious metal, silver should never be attracted to a magnet. Your sterling silver jewelery should always be imprinted if it is real. The stamp may read “.925” or “ster”. If you don’t see a stamp of any sort on a piece, then be wary of whether it is actually silver or not.
When you buy a piece of jewelery, inquire about the jeweler’s insurance policy. This is so that if something happens to your piece, you can return it to have it replaced or repaired. In certain instances, there may even be jewelry insurance available to cover loss or theft.
Know the type of gem you’re buying, when you buy it. Gemstones come in three different varieties: natural, imitation and synthetic. “Real” can mean natural or synthetic, and an imitation stone could be glass or plastic. Natural stones are dug up out of the ground and synthetic ones are grown in a lab.
Take the steps to inhibit its tarnishing. Keep your jewelry away from water. This could cause your jewelery to rust or become more dull. Apply clear nail polish to your jewelery as an added protection.
If you wear the piece for 24 hours, then you can be sure that it has been put together correctly and hangs nicely. You will also find out if your creation is durable enough.
If you want to collect costume jewelry, concentrate on getting quality peices. Costume jewelry, while expensive, can be a great investment. However, if a piece shows wear it will lose value. Compare pieces for quality, because good ones stay high or even grow in value over time.
Consider how you should best clean each piece of your jewelry. Not all types of jewelry can be cleaned in the same manner. Each piece is individual in its needs so don’t assume what works well for one piece will work well for all. Speak with a knowlegeable jeweler if you do not know the best way to take care of your jewels.
When you are looking for jewelry to purchase, give careful thought to the stones you prefer. The right stone will enhance your skin tone and make a statement about your personality. Choose neutral colors that will easily match any outfit you decide to wear. Taking these things into account will give you a piece of jewelry you can wear many times and in diverse situations.
Costume Jewelry
Costume jewelry should be taken care of. Costume settings are often glued-in as compared to set-in. Avoid using harsh chemicals on these pieces, and do not immerse them. The best way to maintain your costume jewelry is to use a moist, warm cloth first, then dry it off with another cloth. This will make your costume jewelry sparkle for weeks, months, or even years.
Costume jewelry needs special care. Costume settings are often glued-in as compared to set-in. Therefore, you shouldn’t get costume jewelry wet or expose it to harsh chemicals. Use a gentle cloth, like microfiber, to clean it. One wet, then another, dry. This will make your costume jewelry sparkle for weeks, months, or even years.
Always look for discounts if you want jewelery. The right sale can save you a ton of money. Look for great deals in old-fashioned newspapers, on the Internet, and even at retail stores. Sometimes, if you buy a fashion that is not ‘up and coming’, you can save some money.
Putting on jewelry only after you have put on makeup and fixed your hair will keep it from being exposed to chemicals that could tarnish it. Makeup will settle into your jewelry making it look dull and dingy. This is particularly important in the case of necklaces and earrings.
Be careful when untangling your delicate necklaces. It is tempting to throw in the towel against knotted metal, but plastic wrap should be reached for instead. Lay the necklace out on plastic wrap, then apply baby or mineral oil. Untangle it with some needles. When your necklaces are straight, use dish soap to wash the oil off and pat them dry.
Everyone can get confused about jewelry from time to time. You will hopefully feel a little more confident when you tackle your next jewelry decision, thanks to this article’s tips.
When you buy a piece of jewelry, know what your plans for it are. There is no point in filling your jewelery box with things you cannot wear. Think about what type of clothing you will wear with the jewelry before deciding what to buy.