Whether you have inherited jewelry, bought a piece for yourself or received one as a gift, the world of jewelry can be a little confusing. Where can you get more knowledge on this traditional art form? You can start learning right here with these useful tips that will help turn you into an educated jewelry consumer.
Try using a polishing cloth on all of the jewelry in a collection. This is a chemical-free method to maintain the appearance of your fine jewelry. Gently polish your jewelry with the two-sided cloth as if it were a mirror. First use the polishing side, and finish with the other side to make it shine.
Be cautious of the way all of your personal jewelry gets stored together. It is recommended to separate the items stored by using compartments, boxes, holders and hooks. Resist the urge to jumble all your pieces together in one box or basket. This can damage fragile, delicate jewelry, and necklaces can become very tangled in other jewelry pieces.
Sterling Silver
If you want to buy sterling silver pieces, use a magnet and examine the jewelry very carefully. To spot scams, see if the magnet attracts the piece. If it does, then shout “FAKE!” at the top of your lungs and move to the next store. True sterling silver will also have a mark on it to indicate its quality, such as “.925” or “ster”. If you don’t see a stamp of any sort on a piece, then be wary of whether it is actually silver or not.
Pay attention to the type of metal they wear, such as white gold or yellow gold. Also notice if your loved one usually wears hoops or studs. These types of observations will provide a starting point to purchase an item they’ll cherish.
Before committing yourself to a piece, do research to determine which styles are hot and which are not. Price a variety of similar items before buying an expensive piece.
Costume Jewelry
You should ensure the quality of the pieces of costume jewelry that you purchase for your collection. Costume jewelry can prove to be a good investment, but also a costly one; keep in mind the pieces you wish to add to your collection don’t show too much wear. Make sure you have a piece that is in excellent condition, because this will be a lot more fruitful for you down the road.
The color gemstones are an important consideration when shopping for new jewelry. You should chose stones that reflect your personality, as well as complement your skin tone. Pieces in neutral tones work well with any item in your wardrobe. Do not buy something if it does not work for you.
Take good care of your costume jewelry. Many of the stones and embellishments are just glued in instead of set in a professional setting. Never immerse your costume jewelry or use harsh chemicals on it. It’s most beneficial to use a damp warm cloth to gently wipe, then use another cloth to dry. This will make your costume jewelry sparkle for weeks, months, or even years.
Have definite plans for the jewelry you purchase. 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.
An important part of your necklace or bracelet is having a quality clasp. If your chains and pendants with costly gems do not have secure clasps, you may lose them. Anytime you buy an expensive bracelet or necklace it is recommended you request a safety clasp. Adding more than one clasp to a jewelry piece may even be appropriate to provide greater security against loss.
As you can see, jewelry has an amazing array of aspects to it. 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. You will find that the jewelry experience is both rewarding and fulfilling, so get involved! These tips can help you start your journey armed with knowledge.