There are a lot of things to know about jewelry, whether you are giving it as gift, receiving a gift yourself, or caring for a piece passed down to you. The question is: where do you start? You will find some tips about jewelery when you are trying to make a informed decision.
Be cautious of storing all of your pieces of jewelry together. You should keep the pieces separate in compartments, boxes, holders, and on hooks for better storage. Resist the urge to jumble all your pieces together in one box or basket. This haphazard approach can cause damage to the individual components of fine jewelry, and create a tangled mess.
Sterling Silver
When purchasing sterling silver, take along a good magnifying glass, along with a small magnet. If the piece you are examining is not silver and is made from non-precious metal, it will be attracted to the magnet. Sterling silver will always be hallmarked with a stamp such as .925, ster. or sterling. If the piece you’re inspecting doesn’t carry such a mark, be careful, as it is likely a fake.
Find out more about the gems you look at. Ask about where they came from and to which category they belong. The types of gems available are synthetic, imitation and natural. Imitation gems are made out of glass or plastic; natural and synthetic gems both consist of real gemstone. A natural stone is mined from the earth, and a synthetic is a lab-created gem.
Good jewelry will last a lifetime. To ensure you are buying a quality piece, refuse to deal with anybody but the most reputable of jewelers. If a piece of jewelry is of high quality, it should be made well and exhibit top-flight craftsmanship. The person selling the piece should know its history, including who made it and the source of the stones. You need to buy quality jewelry so that you can pass it down as an heirloom.
Watch to see whether they usually wear necklaces or bracelets, or if they prefer dangly earrings to studs. Noticing these things lets you choose jewelry more suited to their tastes.
When purchasing jewelry from a respected jeweler, inquire as to whether they offer an insurance policy. That way, if something were to happen to your jewelry, you can easily bring it back to the jeweler who will fix or replace it. Some stores even insure jewelry against loss or theft.
If you want to maintain the look of your jewelry, you should prevent it from becoming tarnished. Don’t take your jewelry into the water, regardless of whether you are showering or hitting the beach. Water exposure can cause different metals to become tarnished, dull or rusted. It is wise to place a single coat of transparent nail lacquer on jewelry in order to protect it.
As you now know, jewelry has a variety of components to it. But, with thorough and comprehensive investigation, you can be confident that you are buying and taking care of quality pieces. Being a part of the jewelry world is fun and rewarding, so enjoy! Get the most from your next jewelry shopping spree by following these tips.