You may feel passionate about jewelery, if it is yours or a loved one’s. With the variety of jewelry that is available and the specifics concerning its wear and care, it helps to have some knowledge. This advice can help you find some answers!
Genuine Sterling Silver
When shopping for genuine sterling silver jewelry, you need both a discerning eye and a small magnet. Take the magnet with you to find fake pieces of jewelery, sterling silver will not stick to the magnet. In addition, sterling silver pieces are always stamped with silver hallmarks indicating such factors as the degree of purity, the manufacturer’s symbol, and the date of manufacture. Some of the most common hallmarks are “925, “ster,” “sterling,” and “sterling silver.” Be wary of pieces that lack any silver hallmarks, as this is an indication that they’re not genuine sterling silver.
Pay close attention to the design and style of their earrings, which may be hoops, gauges, studs, or something new. He or she may also have a preference towards gold, silver, or a different material. These answers should give you a reasonable starting point for your shopping.
Keep your jewelry from tarnishing as best as you can. When you are close to water, do not wear your jewelry. Water can dull and rust some types of metal if it is exposed to it too often. It is wise to place a single coat of transparent nail lacquer on jewelry in order to protect it.
If you like to collect costume jewelry pieces, become very choosy about each piece’s condition. If you do not maintain the piece, it will depreciate in value. A piece that is free of any defects or wear not only looks better, but is also a better investment.
Costume Jewelry
Costume jewelry does require some special care. Many of their settings are glued instead of set. Don’t let them go under water or clean them with strong chemicals, or you could dissolve the glue. The best way to maintain your costume jewelry is to use a moist, warm cloth first, then dry it off with another cloth. This will clean off any residue and make it look like new, without damaging it.
Putting on jewelry only after you have put on makeup and fixed your hair will keep it from being exposed to chemicals that could tarnish it. Makeup will settle into your jewelry making it look dull and dingy. It is especially important to keep this in mind when putting on earrings and necklaces.
Determine whether or not your stone received a treatment, and what kind, prior to purchasing it. The kind of care your stone needs is dependent on what it was treated with. If you have a treated gem you should avoid any solution that could damage the gem by stripping the treatment.
Untangle knotted necklaces with delicate loops. Don’t give up on getting the knots out, instead get a sheet of plastic wrap. Lay the necklace out on plastic wrap, then apply baby or mineral oil. Untangle it with some needles. Use ordinary dish soap to remove the mineral oil and let dry.
Before you buy any item of jewelry, have a think about what your long term plans are for it. A big supply of jewelry that you never wear is of little use to you. Think of the outfits that you own, and use those to help you choose your jewelry.
When photographing jewelry for online sale, you need to make the presentation of the piece as attractive as possible. This is extremely important because the potential buyer can not handle the item that is being sold. Photograph jewelry in a setting that concentrates the viewer’s attention solely on the jewelry; avoid distracting backgrounds.
If you plan to invest a great deal of money in a piece of jewelry, opt for a piece that will last many years. Quality of the design is not the only thing you should analyze when purchasing expensive items. You also need to determine if you are going still going to want to wear the item in the future. A precious stone tiara may be a great addition to your New Year’s Eve outfit this year, but maybe an elegant diamond tennis bracelet will make you feel like a queen for years to come. Be on the lookout for something timeless and classic.
If you really want real gold pieces, high gold prices might be one of the only things to worry about. If you insist upon a gold ring or necklace, you can still save some money by compromising on karats. For example, a piece that is classed as 18 karat is a minimum of 75% pure gold. This is felt, by many, to be the best value for money when comparing quality to price.
Some people find the appropriate selection of jewelry for particular occasions to be baffling. Others are puzzled by the pricing of precious metals and gems. This article will give you the advice you need when you are facing a jewelery dilemma.