The concepts surrounding the gift of jewelry are as lovely as the physical pieces themselves. Jewelry gives material form to memories and acts as a symbol of important relationships, such as engagements and marriages. If you learn as much as you can about taking care of your jewelry, you can get the most out of memories or if you are planning on getting rid of it.
Use a polishing cloth to keep your jewelry clean and free from damage. This is a fairly simple way to achieve shine without dealing with solvents and chemicals. Use this two-sided cloth on your jewelry as though you were cleaning glass. The first side is designed to polish, while the other is for adding shine.
Don’t use harsh chemicals like turpentine or bleach to clean jewelry. You can turn your stones this way and it will eat away the enamel on the pieces.
Precious Metals
Always keep your jewelry in a place that doesn’t experience extreme temperatures or humidities. Keep them stored safely in a closed, dark area, like a jewelry box or drawstring bag. Tarnish is a chemical reaction that happens when silver and other metals are exposed to moisture and air. The thing about this is that non-precious metals cannot fully recover from this because underneath, the copper shows through. However, keep in mind that precious metals can go back to their own original forms.
Bring a magnet when shopping for sterling silver jewelery. When you do this, you become able to find fake pieces of any type of sterling jewelry. You can use the magnet because non-precious metals actually are attracted by magnets. Sterling silver should always bear a stamp that says Sterling, Ster. or .925. If you cannot find a stamp, you might be looking at a cheap imitation.
When you are purchasing a new piece of jewelry, be aware of the gemstone that it contains and what it is made of. Gemstones come in three different varieties: natural, imitation and synthetic. Natural and synthetic gems are real stones, but imitation is just plastic colored to look like the real thing. A natural stone is mined from the earth, and a synthetic is a lab-created gem.
When you buy jewelry, it should last the rest of your life. Choose reputable jewelry dealers when considering your next jewelry purchase. A valuable piece of jewelry will be well-made and feature superior craftsmanship. A good jeweler can provide you with some background on the piece, such as who crafted it, where it was manufactured, and where any stones in it came from. Choosing a high-quality piece of jewelry is important, so that it will last forever.
When it comes to jewelry, whether you are buying, selling or simply wearing and enjoying it, you need good information to protect your investment. Every piece of jewelry has a story, one that is laden with happiness, hope or love.