Jewelry has always been an important part of cultural expression. Today, it has become an industry and everything is done to create pieces that reflect the personality of the customer. Here’s where you can start learning about jewelry and start choosing pieces that you’ll enjoy for a long time to come.
Do not clean your jewelry with chemicals such as bleach or ammonia. Harsh chemicals will dull your stones and dissolve the enamel on your jewelry.
Avoid harsh chemicals like bleach, ammonia and acetone that may permanently damage your jewelry. Doing so can damage the shine and luster of the stones on your favorite pieces.
Be careful when storing all your jewelry together. Precious metals and certain gemstones will tarnish if they are exposed to humidity, so keep the away from this. Tossing all of your jewelry into the same box is a bad plan. This can harm fragile and fine pieces, along with severely tangling necklaces with other pieces.
Watch how you store your jewelry when it isn’t being worn. Use a box that has several different compartments and hooks to keep your pieces apart. Resist the temptation to jumble all your pieces into a community box. Storing them improperly can damage the fragile pieces, and necklaces can get tangled with other pieces.
Jewelry should be stored in an air-tight and humid free area. A drawstring bag or closed box offers the best protection from moisture in the air. Air and humidity will make the metals in jewelry tarnish. You will be able to polish precious metals to remove tarnish, but non-precious metals may lose their coating, showing the copper metal beneath.
Don’t keep your jewelry in open air or someplace with a lot of humidity. Keep them stored safely in a closed, dark area, like a jewelry box or drawstring bag. Metals will become tarnished when exposed to air and humidity. You can restore the precious metals back to their former glory, but plated jewelry is different. Trying to polish those pieces can reveal the non-precious metals underneath, such as copper.
When shopping for sterling silver jewelry, it is a good idea to bring a small magnet along with you. Use the magnet to detect fake jewelry; real silver will not be attracted to the magnet, but the cheaper metals will. Sterling silver will always be hallmarked with a stamp such as .925, ster. or sterling. If the piece is not hallmarked in any way, be leery of its authenticity because oftentimes it is a sign of a fake.
When you go diamond shopping, make sure that you do shopping comparisons. Look at what you want very closely, and keep that in mind so you can compare it with other diamonds you look at. There are many ways to make a diamond look better than it really is.
Inquire about insurance for your jewelry when you purchase it from a jeweler. If your jewelry gets damaged or broken, you can come back to the store and have it repaired or replaced. There are some jewelers that will also have insurance plans for pieces that get lost or stolen.
Know what is trendy before you buy a piece of jewelry. Getting a beautiful piece is fantastic; but it’s even better when it’s on sale!
You need to pay attention to care and maintenance if you intend to build up a costume jewelry collection. Collecting costume jewelry can get expensive, but it is also an investment worth your time, so avoid any pieces that have too many flaws. You’ll get more return on your investment later if you buy costume jewelry in good condition.
When you buy a piece of jewelery, inquire about the jeweler’s insurance policy. If you can get insurance, you know that you will be covered if something happens to your jewelry. Some jewelers will offer insurance on jewelry that might have been stolen or lost.
Wear jewelry for at least a day to see if it hangs correctly and is comfortable. This will also help you to determine if the piece is sufficiently durable.
Keep your jewelry from tarnishing as best as you can. Avoid wearing your jewelry near water. Water can cause some metals to lose their luster or to become tarnished or rusty. Painting a thin layer of clear-colored nail polish on your metal jewelry can add a protective barrier to it.
If you are getting jewelry for someone you consider to be one-of-a-kind, think about buying a piece that’s the same: unique and specially-crafted. A unique piece like this that matches their personality appears creative and thoughtful, and it shows them that you care about them enough to buy them something that they’ll wear.
You should carefully consider how to best care for your jewelry. There’s an ideal way to clean every different type of setting and stone. A technique that is effective for one type of stone or metal may actually cause damage to another. Whenever you buy a new piece of jewelry, ask the jeweler the best way to clean and maintain it.
To maintain the shine and finish on your jewelry, do not put it on until you’ve done your hair and makeup. Your jewelry attracts dust and particles from cosmetics; if you apply makeup after you put on your jewelry, the particles will make it look dull. Doing this is particularly important when you are wearing a necklace or earrings, as they will brush against your makeup more than other jewelry.
For a special and personalized gift, have a jewelry piece custom made for your recipient. Purchasing a unique piece that matches his or her personality demonstrates how thoughtful and creative you are. This is what you should be expressing to someone you love enough to purchase jewelry for.
Before buying jewelry or a fine stone, find out if it was treated in any way. If it was, find out how. You will need to know what type of care it might require as a result of the treatment. Applying the wrong chemical when cleaning a gemstone can cause the protective treatment to dissolve, and damage the appearance of the gem.
The brooch will call attention to your belt and make it more interesting to look at. You can pin it centered at your waist or closer to your hip.
You can untangle delicate necklaces that have become knotted. It’s easy to get frustrated with tangled necklaces, but saran wrap can come to the rescue. Put the tangled necklace onto the plastic wrap, then pour a little mineral oil or baby oil onto the piece. Gently untangle the knots with needles. Wash them using dish soap, and then pat dry them.
A matched jewelry set is a no-fail gift for any woman on your list. You can often find great deals on jewelry sets. You can divide up the set into individual pieces and give them out one at a time. That way you will never have to worry about what to get that person.
Before you purchase a new piece of jewelry, consider what situations you will be wearing it in. There is no point continually buying jewelry if you never wear it. Take time to consider the type of clothing styles and outfits you plan on wearing with your jewelry purchase.
When taking a dip in the pool, take off your jewelry. Swimming pools contain chlorine, which can age many types of jewelry prematurely. Salt water is just as bad as chlorinated water. Taking it off before you swim will protect your jewelry and keep it looking beautiful for years to come.
Many times, the cut and clarity of a diamond outshines its actual carat weight. You must also consider the personality and preferences of the gift recipient.
The jewelry tips in this article will guide you in selecting the pieces that are appropriate for you. There are so many jewelry designs out there that articles like the one you just read are essential to getting the piece you want.
Don’t swim wearing your jewelry. The chlorine in a pool can tarnish or corrode jewelry, decreasing its value. Even ocean swimming is not good for jewelry. The salt is damaging. Take off your jewelry before swimming to ensure that it lasts as long as possible before you have to replace it.