The jewelry you own may include heirlooms, gifts or pieces you have bought. It can be difficult to know the age or provenance of a piece of jewelry. Jewelry has been an important part of the human condition for so long, but where can you even start looking for the right things to learn about it? You will find the information you need to become an educated consumer in the article outlined below.
Always keep your jewelry in a place that doesn’t experience extreme temperatures or humidities. 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
Take a magnet and a keen eye with you when you head out to purchase any jewelry made from sterling silver. 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. Another way to tell if a metal is sterling silver is to check for a hallmark stamp, for example .sterling, .ster, or .925. If a particular piece is not stamped, you should be cautious of its authenticity.
When purchasing jewels, you should understand which type of stone you are getting. The three different types of stones are natural, imitation and synthetic. Natural stones and synthetic gems are both real, but imitation gems are probably just colored glass or plastic. Synthetic gems come from a lab and natural ones are found in the ground.
Jewelry is an investment that should last forever. When choosing your next piece of jewelry, be sure to deal with a reputable dealer to ensure you attain a high-quality piece. A valuable piece of jewelry will be well-made and feature superior craftsmanship. The jeweler ought to know the history of the piece, such as its manufacturer and the source of the gemstones. Put effort into your choice, so you can be sure that the piece will last generations.
Study current jewelry trends prior to shopping for a piece. Getting a beautiful piece is fantastic; but it’s even better when it’s on sale!
Inquire about insurance for your jewelry when you purchase it from a jeweler. This is to avoid any future complications. If anything were to happen you have yourself covered and to avoid complications with that jeweler in the future, they can replace or fix it for you if you run into problems. In some cases, insurance policies will cover lost, misplaced or stolen pieces.
Keep your jewelry from getting tarnished to preserve its best appearance. 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.
A brooch can add visual interest and an accent to an otherwise dull belt. You can pin it centered at your waist or closer to your hip.
Before you buy any item of jewelry, have a think about what your long term plans are for it. A large jewelry box full of items you never use isn’t a wise investment. Think about what type of clothing you will wear with the jewelry before deciding what to buy.
By now you understand there are many amazing details regarding jewelry. If you are diligent about doing your research, you’ll be able to make educated purchasing decisions and learn how to care for those purchases. Jewelry is a fun and exciting world of its own. As you begin your journey, these tips can act as guideposts.