Jewelry can get confusing whether you bought it yourself, received it as a gift, or inherited a piece. Where should you look to find information about jewelry in relation to artistic tradition? The following article will describe some useful tips about jewelry to assist you in becoming a highly educated consumer.
Use a polishing cloth to keep your jewelry clean and free from damage. This method ensures your jewelry stays shiny without having to use any chemical cleansers or solvents. Use the two-sided cloth to polish your jewelry as if you were cleaning glass. First you should use the polish side, then use the shining side to really make your jewelry look stunning!
Avoid using harmful substances like bleach, ammonia, acetone, turpentine and the like to clean them. Chemicals can eat away the stones or enamel on your stones.
Separate your jewelry for storage to avoid getting pieces tangled. A better idea is to keep the pieces separate by using boxes, hooks, compartments or holders. Don’t just box all the pieces together in a pile. This not only harms the fragile pieces, but it can also cause items, such as necklaces, to get badly tangled up with the other pieces of jewelry.
Sterling Silver
Take a magnet and a keen eye with you when you head out to purchase any jewelry made from sterling silver. You can tell if a piece of silver is sterling or not by using a magnet. Sterling will not react to the magnet, but non-precious metals will be attracted. You can generally tell genuine sterling silver by its stamp, which will look something like “.925 ster.” If you don’t see such a mark, you might want to reconsider the purchase. This is usually an indication that the piece is fake.
Identify the kind of stone in every piece you consider. The three different types of stones are natural, imitation and synthetic. Natural and synthetic are both real, while imitation is just basically colored plastic. Natural stones are mined, and synthetic stones are created in a laboratory.
Have shopping companions when you shop for diamonds. Take a good look at all the pieces that you like, examining them and comparing them to each other. Less-scrupulous jewelry sellers have many ways to enhance the appearance of a sub-par diamond, so you have to stay alert.
Make sure a piece of jewelry is still in style before you buy it. Getting a nice piece of jewelry is good, but getting it at a discount is even better.
Keep your jewelry from getting tarnished to preserve its best appearance. Don’t wear jewelry near water. Many pieces can become rusty, tarnished or dull when they are exposed to water. Use a thinner coat of your clear nail polish on your jewelry for extra protection.
When you are looking for jewelry to purchase, give careful thought to the stones you prefer. Choose stones that have a reflection on your personality and that also complement the color of your skin. If you choose a neutral color it will match anything you wear. Don’t even bother to buy something that doesn’t function properly.
To state it again, there is a lot of information available on the topic of jewelry. Doing your research is essential when you are searching for a quality piece. Furthermore, learning to care for your purchase will ensure that it lasts for years to come. The jewelry world is rewarding and exciting, so join in the hunt! As you begin your journey, these tips can act as guideposts.