Jewelry can get confusing whether you bought it yourself, received it as a gift, or inherited a piece. Where can you find information on this ancient human tradition? In this article, we will explore some important jewelry basics that will help you to become an educated consumer.
To distinguish between real and fake, bring a magnet when you shop for sterling silver jewelry. You are able to detect fake pieces of sterling jewelry with a magnet, as non-precious metals are attracted by the magnet. Also, look to make sure that silver is hallmarked and stamped with .925, sterling or ster. If there is no hallmark, watch its authenticity since it may be fake.
To keep your jewelry looking attractive, polish it regularly using a cloth made especially for this purpose. This helps keep your jewelry shiny without the need for chemical cleansers, which can damage the pieces. Use the dual-sided cloth to gently buff your jewelry as you would a delicate glass. Use the one side designated for polish, and the other for making it shine.
A piece of jewelry should be long lasting. To ensure you are buying a quality piece, refuse to deal with anybody but the most reputable of jewelers. High-quality jewelry can be told by its superior craftsmanship and good manufacture. The person selling the piece should know its history, including who made it and the source of the stones. You’ll create an heirloom tomorrow if you choose high-quality jewelry today.
Steer clear of ammonia, bleach or other strong chemical solvents when you need to clean these items. These chemicals can wreak havoc on your jewelry, from discoloring bands, to dulling stones, to eroding enamel or glue.
Always look at a number of different places when you are shopping for diamonds. Take a very close look at the piece you like, and then make the comparison to any others on your favorites list. Beware, there are many tricks to enhance the look of a sub-par diamond.
Sterling Silver
If you wish to keep a piece of jewelry looking fantastic, preventing it from tarnishing is important. Try not to wear jewelry when you are around water. Metals can become dull, rusty or tarnished if submerged in it. Painting a thin layer of clear-colored nail polish on your metal jewelry can add a protective barrier to it.
If you want to buy sterling silver pieces, use a magnet and examine the jewelry very carefully. As a precious metal, silver should never be attracted to a magnet. You can generally tell genuine sterling silver by its stamp, which will look something like “.925 ster.” If your silver is not marked, it could be because it is not real!
Look at the condition of costume jewelry before making a purchase. Quality costume jewelry may cost more, but a cheaply made piece will fall apart and will quickly become unusable. Costume pieces kept in great condition will enhance your collection much more over time.
Make sure you know what kind of gem you are getting when you are buying jewelry. Three different kinds of gems are available for purchase: imitation, synthetic and natural. Natural stones and synthetic gems are both real, but imitation gems are probably just colored glass or plastic. Synthetic gems are grown in a lab, natural gems are dug out of the Earth.
Try wearing the item for a little while to see if it is comfortable and hangs correctly. You will also find out if your creation is durable enough.
Jewelry is something that can last generations. When choosing jewelry, you should always buy from a reputable store or dealer, in order to ensure you only get high-quality pieces. High-quality jewelry can be told by its superior craftsmanship and good manufacture. The jeweler should be able to give you a history on the piece, like who crafted it and where the stones came from if there are any. Making sure that it is high-quality will ensure that it lasts forever.
It is a good idea to determine the best approaches for jewelry care. Different cleaning techniques are required for different types of jewelry. What is beneficial to one stone or setting may hurt another. Talk with a professional if you aren’t sure what sort of care each jewel requires.
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. This will give you a good idea of where to start when purchasing that special item.
Costume jewelry has different, specific care requirements. Costume settings are often glued-in as compared to set-in. You want to avoid using strong chemicals or immersion baths on your costume jewelry. The best care is to wipe with a warm damp cloth and then dry with another cloth. This will clean off any residue and make it look like new, without damaging it.
Before you buy a new piece of jewelry, research the latest trends. It is better to get a gorgeous bauble on sale!
If you are presenting a gift to someone who has their own unusual style, look for an item of jewelry that is in line with their clothing and lifestyle choices. This will express the time you spent to get their gift just right, just the kind of sentiment you want to show your special friends.
Ask the jeweler what type of insurance is available for your purchase. You want to know if they will be able to repair or replace the piece if it was to break. Some stores even insure jewelry against loss or theft.
You can use a brooch to make your belt stand out, since it is sure to be eye-catching. Either put it near your hip or near the middle of your waist.
If you want to maintain the look of your jewelry, you should prevent it from becoming tarnished. Keep your jewelry away from water. Exposure can result in tarnishing, rusting or dulling of different metals. It is wise to place a single coat of transparent nail lacquer on jewelry in order to protect it.
Before you purchase gemstone jewelry, you should first determine if and how the stone was treated. Care for your gemstone is different, depending on how it was previously treated. For example, you should avoid cleaning a gem that has been treated with a certain solution that could peel off the treatment because this could harm the gem.
You should always make an effort to properly care for all of your jewelry. Different styles of jewelry affect the way they need to be cared for; one type of metal will need a different treatment than another, for example. What works for one piece of jewelry could dull or damage another. Ask a jeweler to make sure you know how to maintain your items.
Have definite plans for the jewelry you purchase. You do not need a huge box of jewelry you will never wear. Think about what type of clothing you will wear with the jewelry before deciding what to buy.
Think about ordering custom jewelery if you want to make an original gift to someone who counts for you. This will express the time you spent to get their gift just right, just the kind of sentiment you want to show your special friends.
This goes for any type of sauna, whether it’s the dry type or the steam type. Both heat and moisture will damage your jewelery.
Before you buy any gemstone, determine what, if any, treatment it received. Different treatments come with different requirements for cleaning and storage. You want to avoid unknowingly cleaning the gem with a chemical or solution that could strip off the protective treatment.
Comparison shopping for diamonds is critical. Every diamond is unique in both its beauty and imperfections. Once you see a diamond yourself, certain flaws will be less of a concern to you. Also, jewelers can adjust prices based on a specific diamond’s particular condition. Try different jewelers and locate the most beautiful diamond you can afford to buy.
If you are selling your jewelry online, make sure it is presented attractively. Since your potential customer will not be able to examine the piece in person, your presentation is very important. Be sure your photographs show good details of the jewelry and few, if any, details of the surroundings.
Make sure jewelry you purchase can last for a long time. This goes not only for the quality of the piece but also the style of it. Something that is trendy right now might look ridiculous in a few years. Look for pieces that have a timeless character.
This includes steam and dry saunas. The moisture and heat can cause your jewelry to become damaged.
Onyx and crystal jewelry looks beautiful and can make a statement. You don’t need to completely empty your wallet on a new jewelry piece to be pleased with the results.
Keep your jewelry in place with a strong clasp or closure. Weak clasps can cause the loss of expensive pendants, chains and stones. A safety clasp is available and is recommended for valuable bracelets and necklaces. You might even want to add an extra clasp on your jewelery for added protection.
Natural sapphires and rubies are very difficult to differentiate from artificially produced ones. Natural and artificial rubies and sapphires are chemically identical to their natural counterparts, but artificial stones are worth far less. Always have a gemologist look at a piece if it is advertised as natural sapphire to see if the piece has natural inclusions or not.
Don’t swim while wearing your jewelry. Chlorine can damage your valuable pieces because it’s such a strong chemical. Salt water is similarly abrasive to some jewelry. Take off your jewelry before diving in the water to keep them looking their best.
Many people forget about the beautiful stone Alexandrite. It displays a spectrum of color, from green to purple, depending on whether you are outdoors or indoors. You will most often see this stone used in earrings, rings, and ornate pendants.
Jewelry is definitely not an item that you want to restrict yourself based on brand name. Almost no one will be able to identify the maker of your jewelry. Don’t be persuaded to pay more for a piece of jewelry simply because of its brand name. You’ll be able to find high-quality jewelry from any number of brands.
It is possible to wear daintier, childhood necklaces by layering them between newer, modern necklaces and pendants. If you are wearing a bunch of necklaces, try layering a simple pendant, like a heart or cross, with more complex pieces that are made of similar materials or similar in color.
As we have noted, the world of jewelry is quite diverse. The guided research and help from this article can help you take better care of your jewelry and help you acquire quality pieces. The jewelry world is rewarding and exciting, so join in the hunt! Use these guidelines as soon as possible to ensure that you get off to a good start.
This isn’t the perfect silver jewelry cleanser, but in a pinch, it will do. Use a soft cloth or a paper towel to apply the toothpaste. First, rub your jewelry with the toothpaste, and then use water to wipe or rinse the paste off. It is not an ideal or perfect solution, but it will do until you can use a better tarnish remover.
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