Do you ever wake up, look in the mirror, and feel like there’s something wrong? Everything you are wearing looks great, but it feels like there is something that doesn’t feel quite right. Jewelry is what you’re missing. Even simpler pieces of jewelry can improve your outfit.
If you are looking to purchase sterling silver jewelry make sure that you have a magnet with you and a good eye. As a precious metal, silver should never be attracted to a magnet. You will always find a hallmark stamp such as “.925” or “STER.” on genuine sterling, or alternately, it might simply say, “STERLING”. If the item has no markings indicating its authenticity, then be wary.
Sterling Silver
Wear the jewelry around for a day or so to be sure that it fits right and is comfortable. It will also allow you to see if the item is durable enough.
If you are shopping for sterling silver jewelry, you’ll need a magnet and an eye for the real thing. Take the magnet with you to find fake pieces of jewelery, sterling silver will not stick to the magnet. Another way to tell if a metal is sterling silver is to check for a hallmark stamp, for example .sterling, .ster, or .925. If the item has no markings indicating its authenticity, then be wary.
Take careful consideration when thinking of how you want to care for the jewelry you purchase. Each type of stone, metal, and setting requires different type of care. Each piece is individual in its needs so don’t assume what works well for one piece will work well for all. If you are unfamiliar with the correct way to clean or maintain a piece, consult a jeweler.
When you purchase jewelery ensure you know what you are buying. A stone may be natural, synthetic or imitation. You have to know that imitation refers to colored plastic. The difference here, however, is that synthetic is man-made in a laboratory while natural is found buried in the earth.
When buying jewelry for a one-of-a-kind person, buy them something equally unique. Look for something that fits their personality. Giving a gift that requires thought and creativity will make it even more special.
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.
Having an ornate piece at your waist will naturally draw eyes by adding interest. You have the option of placing it close to your hip, or at your waist near the center.
Ask about any insurance a jeweler may offer when you are buying jewelry. Then, if something actually happens to the jewelry, you can return it or have it repaired. There are some jewelers that will also have insurance plans for pieces that get lost or stolen.
Keep all of your jewelry cleaner by putting it on only after you have applied all makeup and perfume. The grime and dust in makeup are attracted to the jewelry, and if you put on the jewelry before the cosmetics, it can cause the pieces to look dull. This is particularly important in the case of necklaces and earrings.
You should carefully consider how to best care for your jewelry. Every metal, setting, and stone has different requirements when it comes to care. A technique that is effective for one type of stone or metal may actually cause damage to another. For the best information on how to look after your jewelry, you should talk to a jeweler.
If your gemstone was treated, you should know about it before you purchase it. The way to care for a stone differs greatly depending on how it was treated. For example, you should avoid cleaning a gem that has been treated with a certain solution that could peel off the treatment because this could harm the gem.
If your “giftee” is a unique person, try finding a special piece that is crafted specifically for them. A one-of-a-kind jewelry piece is a great way to show someone how much they mean to you.
Before you buy any item of jewelry, have a think about what your long term plans are for it. A big supply of jewelry that you never wear is of little use to you. Take time to consider the type of clothing styles and outfits you plan on wearing with your jewelry purchase.
Find out if your gemstone was treated before you buy it and if it was, how it was treated. There are several different types of treatment, and each one needs it’s own type of care. Some cleaning solutions that work perfectly well on untreated gems can strip off treatments, and even damage stones, if you use them on treated gems.
This goes for any type of sauna, whether it’s the dry type or the steam type. Both heat and moisture will damage your jewelery.
Plastic Wrap
A matched jewelry set is a no-fail gift for any woman on your list. Many jewelry stores offer deals on sets of jewelry. You can divide up the set into individual pieces and give them out one at a time. This way, you can ensure that you don’t have to worry about getting a gift at the last minute, and you know that it will match what they already own.
Take extra care when you are untangling necklaces. It’s easy to give up on some knotted metal mass; however, you should instead use plastic wrap. Lay the necklace out on plastic wrap, then apply baby or mineral oil. Use a straight pin to untangle the knot. When your necklaces are straight, use dish soap to wash the oil off and pat them dry.
You need a good clasp for any necklaces and bracelets. If your jewelry items have unreliable clasps, your gemstones are in constant jeopardy. Anytime you buy an expensive bracelet or necklace it is recommended you request a safety clasp. An additional clasp — or clasps — can be added to particularly priceless items to keep them extra safe.
If you are trying to sell jewelry online, it is important to post ample photographs from many angles so that each piece is presented in a pleasing and accurate way. Your customer can’t actually see the jewelry, so they must make the decision solely based on your pictures. Be sure your photographs show good details of the jewelry and few, if any, details of the surroundings.
Take your jewelry off before you go swimming. The chlorine in pool water will corrode your jewelry and remove its shine. Over time, saltwater can be as bad. Take off your jewelry before swimming to ensure that it lasts as long as possible before you have to replace it.
The diamond cut and clarity can make the stone more appealing than the size. Most important of all, make sure that the piece you choose complements the nature of the intended receiver.
Brand should not be the only consideration when purchasing jewelry. You will often pay more for name brand jewelry, and it is unlikely that others will recognize the name associated with your new piece of jewelry unless you tell them. You can find fabulous quality from various brands.
This is true for all saunas. The moisture and high temperatures in saunas can do real damage to your jewelry.
When buying an expensive jewelry piece, you want it to last for many years. Quality of the design is not the only thing you should analyze when purchasing expensive items. You also need to determine if you are going still going to want to wear the item in the future. A piece that is made in a popular style may not look quite so fashionable later. Decide on timeless pieces that will stay in fashion.
All bracelets and necklaces must have a good, durable clasp or closure. You may end up losing a treasured or costly piece through no fault of your own. You can avoid this by looking at the clasps prior to purchasing new pieces. Anytime you buy an expensive bracelet or necklace it is recommended you request a safety clasp. There are those who add one or two extra clasps to their expensive jewelry items to be certain of their safety.
Alexandrite has a lot of encouraging qualities, but does not get as much press as other stones. Ambient lighting determines this gemstones color. It can vary from yellow to purple to green, depending on the angle of viewing and the lighting source. Some of the most common places to find alexandrite are earrings, rings, and pendants.
When taking a dip in the pool, take off your jewelry. Chlorine in pools will damage your pieces causing them to lose their luster. The cumulative effects of salt water can affect jewelery just as badly. By taking your jewelry off of your body before swimming, you will be protecting it from the harsh chlorine and salt.
A lot of people wear gold and silver jewelery at the same time. You can do this by wearing a piece that includes both types of metal. You might look mismatched if you do not have this element.
Using robe hooks will help to stop necklaces from becoming tangled. Install a series of hooks on a piece of furniture, a door or a wall and arrange your necklaces artfully. This little display looks appealing and keeps chains from tangling at the same time.
Surprise your sweetheart and express your admiration with a lovely piece of jewelry. A beautiful jewelry surprise is sure to delight any woman. You also get the added benefit of watching how that little box you hand her lights up her entire face and fills her eyes with tears of gratitude as she beams you a radiant smile.
Pair large and ornate jewelry pieces with simple outfits. Wear solid colors to bring attention to a fabulous item of jewelry.
While toothpaste is not the perfect product for polishing silver jewelry, you can make it work when it’s your only option. Put a tiny amount of your toothpaste on a clean cloth. Rub the toothpaste on the tarnished silver until it is clean, and then use water to remove the paste from the piece of jewelry. You will not obtain perfect results, but the tarnished look will be diminished.
It is hard to tell the difference between real and fake sapphires and rubies. The artificial rubies and sapphires are chemically the same as the real thing. They cost only a fraction of what the real things cost for suppliers, though. If you are considering purchasing real sapphire jewelery, have an independent jeweler check out the natural content.
Properly storing anything that is of value is important to many people, and cleaning jewelry should hold the same importance. Before beginning to clean any of your jewelry pieces, be certain that there aren’t any loose gemstones or breaks that could be further damaged by a cleaning. If you find out that there are damages, take them directly to the jeweler that is local to you for repair and cleaning.
As you have seen in this article, jewelry can be the prefect accessory to add to any outfit. Well-chosen and well-maintained jewelry can be the key to making your appearance elegant, no-nonsense, or light-hearted. So, take advantage of jewelry to accent and accessorize your next outfit no matter where your destination lies.
Get your diamond jewelery cleaned by a professional twice a year. If you do not take care of your jewelery, it will tarnish and the diamond might fall off. The gemologist will clean your item and check it closely for damage.