You need to learn how to take care of jewelry and buy and sell it responsibly, whether you are giving jewelry gifts, receiving them, or inheriting family heirlooms. This article has most of the tips you need to learn how to keep your jewelry looking brand new.
Before dealing with harsh chemicals, try a polishing cloth to bring back the luster of your jewelry. This is a very easy way to make them shine and not have to use any type of chemicals or solvents. Use a two-sided cloth to simply polish your jewelry as if it were composed of glass. Use a two-sided cleaning cloth, one for polishing and one for shining.
Precious Metals
Don’t keep your jewelry in open air or someplace with a lot of humidity. To keep your jewelry properly protected, store it in a drawstring bag or jewelry box. All metals will tarnish if they are subjected to too much air and humidity. Polishing will work to restore the color and shine for precious metals, but with non-precious metals, polishing will not help the change in color.
Take a magnet and a keen eye with you when you head out to purchase any jewelry made from sterling silver. As a precious metal, silver should never be attracted to a magnet. If your silver is sterling, you will also notice a mark on the piece. This mark might state .925, sterling, or ster. If the piece is not hallmarked in any way, be leery of its authenticity because oftentimes it is a sign of a fake.
When you purchase jewelry, you are investing in an item that will last a lifetime. When you look for a piece of jewelry, always use a dealer with a good reputation, ensuring that the piece you choose is of high-quality. Quality jewelry will be constructed to last, and show a fine attention to detail. 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. It is important that your pieces are high-quality if you want them to last a long time.
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. These answers should give you a reasonable starting point for your shopping.
For jewelry to stay shiny and new-looking, it is important to keep it from tarnishing. If possible, remove your jewelry if you are around water. Water can dull and rust some types of metal if it is exposed to it too often. To protect your jewelry from exposure, apply a single coat of clear nail lacquer to its surface.
If jewelry is handled properly, it can be worth a great deal, both in monetary value and in the emotions that are tied up in it. When you give your valuable jewelry the proper care, you are protecting your investment and cherishing your memories. There’s always more to learn, and as long as you keep discovering about the delight of jewelry, there’ll be more to enjoy.