Jewelry is complicated no matter how you come into a piece. You might have inherited it or bought it on an impulse, but either way you probably need to look up some information on jewelry. Without being given the necessary information, it can be hard to know where to start. This article will address a few pieces of advice that will help you be a better educated consumer of jewelry.
Do not clean your jewelry with chemicals such as bleach or ammonia. These chemicals can wreak havoc on your jewelry, from discoloring bands, to dulling stones, to eroding enamel or glue.
Take care to store your jewelry safely. It is best to use holders, compartments, boxes, and hooks so that everything is kept separate. Resist the urge to jumble all your pieces together in one box or basket. Not only will your necklaces become hopelessly tangled, you risk harming any fragile pieces as they bump and scrape against each other as you search the box.
Sterling Silver
When shopping for genuine sterling silver jewelry, you need both a discerning eye and a small magnet. You can detect fake sterling silver with the magnet, since non-precious metals are drawn to magnets. Look for the hallmark stamped on the piece of jewelry to determine what percentage sterling silver it is. If there is no hallmark, the piece is probably not authentic and may, indeed, be counterfeit.
Good jewelry will last a lifetime. When you are ready to chose your next selection of jewelry, make sure you find a reputable dealer that will make sure that you find a high-quality piece. Any piece that is high quality will have its craftsmanship and quality shining through. The jeweler that you purchase the item from should give you the history of the piece, as far as who made it, and, if there are stones on the item, where they came from. Choosing a high-quality piece of jewelry is important, so that it will last forever.
When buying jewelry, think about what kind of stone would be right. Choose stones that have a reflection on your personality and that also complement the color of your skin. Look for colors in neutral shades that you can wear with any of your favorite clothes. Buying something that does not work with multiple outfits is pointless.
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. This shows that you are both thoughtful and creative, traits that someone who would want a unique piece of jewelry is likely to value.
Make sure you look into the history of your gemstone, especially if it was treated at all. There are several different types of treatment, and each one needs it’s own type of care. You want to avoid putting a solution on jewelry that has been treated, particularly if you do not know whether or not it will hurt the piece.
You should always know what you plan on doing with jewelry when purchasing it. There’s no sense in spending a lot of money of pieces that you’ll never wear. Take time to consider the type of clothing styles and outfits you plan on wearing with your jewelry purchase.
It’s clear that jewelry has so many varieties and aspects to it. As long as you take the time to educate yourself on the subject, though, you can buy, sell and care for jewelry wisely. Welcome to the enchanting world of jewelry! These tips should be a useful first step on your journey.