Jewelry is universally beloved for many different reasons. If you purchase, wear or care for jewelry, there is a vast amount of information available that can help you find the proper approach in all of these areas. Keep reading for more insight and information on the joys of jewelry.
Be sure that you store all of your jewelry safely away from air and humidity. Some good examples of proper storage would be,a jewelry box that is closed, or a small draw string bag. Being submitted to extreme humidity and temperature can cause your pieces to tarnish. Tarnish can be removed from precious metals like gold and silver, but they cannot be removed from other metals.
Sterling Silver
When you are shopping for jewelry in sterling silver, be sure to examine the piece closely, and take along a magnet for metal testing. Magnets attract non-precious metals, and you can use this fact to detect fakes. In addition, sterling silver pieces are always stamped with silver hallmarks indicating such factors as the degree of purity, the manufacturer’s symbol, and the date of manufacture. Some of the most common hallmarks are “925, “ster,” “sterling,” and “sterling silver.” If the piece that you are looking at is not hallmarked, this is usually the sign that it is a fake.
Before you buy a gemstone, ask what type of gemstone it is. Gems are divided into three main categories: imitation, synthetic and natural. “Real” can mean natural or synthetic, and an imitation stone could be glass or plastic. Natural gems are those that are actually from the earth, whereas synthetic ones are made in labs.
Jewelry is an investment that should last forever. When buying jewelry, only buy from dealers with good reputations, so that you don’t buy a piece that seems durable, but really isn’t. High-quality jewelry is durable and displays excellent craftsmanship. Ask the jeweler about the history behind the piece and learn more about who made it, as well as the origin of the materials. When you choose a piece of jewelry that is high in quality, it can become a heirloom that will last forever.
Keep your jewelry from getting tarnished to preserve its best appearance. Exposure to water can affect the finish, so avoid it. Many metals can become tarnished, rusty or dull when exposed to water too often. Clear nail polish, applied in a thin coat, can give jewelry some added protection.
Wear the jewelry piece for a day so that you can get an idea of how comfortable it is and if it hangs right. Doing this also tells you how well it stands up to normal daily wear.
Taking proper care of your jewelry requires careful consideration. Metals, gemstones and settings all have different storage and cleaning requirements. What is beneficial to one stone or setting may hurt another. If you can’t find information about caring for a specific piece of jewelry, consult a trusted jeweler.
Costume Jewelry
Take good care of your costume jewelry. Many of their settings are glued instead of set. Don’t let them go under water or clean them with strong chemicals, or you could dissolve the glue. It’s most beneficial to use a damp warm cloth to gently wipe, then use another cloth to dry. This will make your current costume jewelry look great.
This will accent the belt, and will add a lot of visual interest. Pin it near your hip or your waist’s center.
Men are not the only ones who become overwhelmed by the variety of gemstones and metals available in the world of jewelry. Women have also reported confusion about the best ways to buy, wear and store jewelry. Hopefully, the tips you’ve just read can provide you some assistance when you have a jewelry question in the future.