Jewelry’s concept is nearly as gorgeous as the pieces. Jewelry gives material form to memories and acts as a symbol of important relationships, such as engagements and marriages. When you understand how jewelry works, it makes the whole process more memorable.
Try using a polishing cloth on all of the jewelry in a collection. This is a natural way to shine all of your jewelry without relying on abrasives or other harsh chemicals. Gently polish your jewelry with the two-sided cloth as if it were a mirror. First, use the polishing side to polish it up, then use the other side to shine it.
Don’t clean your jewelry in harsh household chemicals like ammonia, bleach or turpentine. This can dull your stones and eat away their enamel.
Store your jewelry collection carefully. Keep pieces separately by using compartments, boxes, hooks and holders. Don’t just put them in one huge, unorganized pile. This haphazard approach can cause damage to the individual components of fine jewelry, and create a tangled mess.
Precious Metals
Don’t keep your jewelry in open air or someplace with a lot of humidity. Keep them stored safely in a closed, dark area, like a jewelry box or drawstring bag. When non-precious and precious metals are expose to air and humidity, they tend to tarnish. You can restore the precious metals back to their former glory, but plated jewelry is different. Trying to polish those pieces can reveal the non-precious metals underneath, such as copper.
A magnet is a useful tool when shopping for jewelry in sterling silver. Imitations will be attracted to your magnet. This is an easy way to recognize quality. You can generally tell genuine sterling silver by its stamp, which will look something like “.925 ster.” If there is no marking on the piece, it may not be sterling silver.
When shopping for a diamond, it’s crucial that you do comparisons. See what you like up close, and then compare it to other pieces that you look at. You should be aware that there are many deceptive people trying to sell jewelry; therefore, it is essential to learn and understand what is involved when selecting a new diamond.
To keep your jewelry looking great, take steps to prevent it from tarnish. Try not to wear jewelry when you are around water. Many metals can become tarnished, rusty or dull when exposed to water too often. It is wise to place a single coat of transparent nail lacquer on jewelry in order to protect it.
Consider the stones whenever you buy jewelry. You should chose stones that reflect your personality, as well as complement your skin tone. Neutral colored stones go well with many different outfits. Don’t even bother to buy something that doesn’t function properly.
Have a unique piece of jewelry made for the special person on your gift list. An item that highlights their personality indicates that you put time and effort into the purchase, which is what you should convey when giving jewelry to someone.
To keep your jewelry looking clean, only put it on after your make-up is applied and set. Makeup will settle into your jewelry making it look dull and dingy. This tip especially applies to necklaces and earrings.
Investigate your gemstone to determine if it has been treated before you purchase it, and what type of treatment it had. The various treatments that gems are given means that they need to be cared for differently. Knowing the proper care techniques for your gemstone will prevent you from accidentally damaging it by stripping it of its protective treatment.
Deep Discounts
Try searching for sales when purchasing jewelry. The best sales can offer deep discounts on premium pieces. Check the newspaper, the Internet, and signs in store windows to find the best sales. Keep an eye out for deep discounts on jewelry styles that are nearing the end of their popularity. The price is right for what is still a lovely piece of jewelry.
When you go swimming, take your jewelry off first. Chlorine can damage your valuable pieces because it’s such a strong chemical. Salt water is equally as bad for your jewelry. Lengthen the jewelry’s life, and ensure it keeps its beauty by removing any precious items before entering the pool.
If your heart is stuck and set on gold jewelry then high gold prices can be a drawback for you. If you simply must have a gold necklace, ring or bracelet, you can spend less by getting fewer karats. An 18 karat gold piece is made up of at least 75 percent pure gold, which has been considered the best combination of price and quality.
To most people, jewelry symbolizes more than just a monetary investment, it symbolizes a memory which is truly priceless. When an item of jewelry becomes an heirloom, it carries the emotions of it’s wearers from generation to generation – both sad and joyous.