Jewelry is material method of demonstrating strong feelings, including love and admiration. It’s also great for celebrating important life events. Even a small and inexpensive piece if meaningful. This is a great article to learn about jewelry from, whether it’s for yourself or if you give it to someone as a gift.
If you are shopping unmarked sterling silver jewelry, then by all means bring a magnet. By using the magnet you can quickly determine if the jewelry item is made of a cheaper metal and not sterling silver. 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.” If your silver is not marked, it could be because it is not real!
Before dealing with harsh chemicals, try a polishing cloth to bring back the luster of your jewelry. A polishing cloth is a very gentle way to get a good shine on all your pieces. Buff your jewelry with the two-sided cloth, just as if you were cleaning a glass. First you should use the polish side, then use the shining side to really make your jewelry look stunning!
Be sure that you understand the kind of gemstone that is in the jewelry that you are purchasing. Natural gems and imitation gems have been joined recently by synthetic gems, making three main categories. Imitation is plastic that is colored to looked like the stone, but natural stones and synthetic stones are real. Natural gemstones are mined, while synthetic gems are artificially grown.
For example, you should never use bleach, turpentine, or ammonia on your jewelry. These chemicals can turn stones dull and even erode the enamel.
Your diamond shopping experience is missing something important if you are not comparison shopping. View the piece you are currently considering closely and then compare it against some other pieces that are in the running. There are many ways to make a diamond look better than it really is.
Do some price comparisons before you commit to buying a piece of diamond jewelry. Get up close to inspect the diamond carefully. Make a comparison with other pieces you have looked at. Some diamond sellers use misleading practices to try to increase the apparent quality of their merchandise, so you should be wary of these tactics.
Know what is trendy before you buy a piece of jewelry. Getting a nice piece of jewelry is good, but getting it at a discount is even better.
Check to see if your jeweler offers an insurance policy before purchasing an item. If your jewelry becomes damaged, you can return it to the source and have it repaired. There are some jewelers that will also have insurance plans for pieces that get lost or stolen.
If you wish to keep a piece of jewelry looking fantastic, preventing it from tarnishing is important. Try to keep your jewelry away from water. Many pieces can become rusty, tarnished or dull when they are exposed to water. You can give your jewelry an additional layer of protection by applying a thin coat of clear nail polish to it.
Costume Jewelry
You need to pay attention to care and maintenance if you intend to build up a costume jewelry collection. Costume jewelry can be very expensive and a great investment, but a piece that shows too much wear and tear will not be worth the money or time. A piece in good condition will be much more resourceful to you in the future.
It’s great that you love costume jewelry, but make sure you evaluate the condition of any piece you plan to buy. Many costume pieces are a great investment and can be quite costly, but costume jewelry that has too many signs of wear will not keep their value over time. Maintaining a piece of costume jewelry’s condition preserves the beauty and value that attracted you in the first place.
When buying new jewelry, carefully consider the stones. Certain stones will do a better job of complementing your skin tone and your personality than others. Neutral colored jewelry is nearly always a good buy, because they blend in well with any outfit. It will be of no value to you to purchase jewels that are not easy to incorporate into your lifestyle.
Going through a day wearing the jewelry will let you get familiar with how it hangs and whether or not it will be comfortable. This can also help you see whether the piece is durable enough to last.
An attractive brooch can increase visual interest and accent your waist. Pin it in the center of your waist or towards your hip.
Take careful consideration when thinking of how you want to care for the jewelry you purchase. The variety of stones, metals and assorted settings will determine the ways in which you care for them. A technique that is effective for one type of stone or metal may actually cause damage to another. If you are unfamiliar with the correct way to clean or maintain a piece, consult a jeweler.
Keep your jewelry unsoiled by only putting it on after all of your makeup has been applied. Dirt and oil accumulate in the small crevices of jewelry, and can make it look dull and shabby. This method is especially helpful in caring for necklaces or earrings.
For those creative, quirky people in your life, shop for handcrafted original pieces. This shows that you are both thoughtful and creative, traits that someone who would want a unique piece of jewelry is likely to value.
Do not buy a piece of jewelery if you are not sure when you are going to wear it. It is not beneficial to have a large box full of jewelry that you will not wear. Think about the outfits you can wear the jewelry with when you are choosing different pieces.
Find out if your gemstone was treated before you buy it and if it was, how it was treated. The various treatments that gems are given means that they need to be cared for differently. For example, improper cleaning with the wrong method may damage the stone by stripping the treatment.
It is important to pay attention to how the diamond is cut, and the clarity of the stone. To some people this is more important and appealing than the actual size. In addition, consider the characteristics and traits of the recipient of this diamond.
A diamond with brilliant clarity and a perfect cut can be more attractive, not to mention more valuable, than a stone that is larger but flawed. You must think of the person who will be wearing the jewelry.
When you are looking to buy someone a gift, you may consider getting a jewelry set. You can often get a better price if you buy an entire set. Give away one piece at a time to different people throughout the years. It’s a good way to ascertain that you are never without a great gift to give a loved one.
Hit up several different stores when looking for diamond jewelry. No diamond is without its flaws, and every piece is unique. A diamond’s flaws must be seen in person for you to truly understand the impact it has on the stone’s beauty. Jewelers have some flexibility with the price depending on the severity of the flaws. To find a good diamond within your budget, really do your homework and shop around.
Don’t swim while wearing your jewelry. Chlorine can damage your valuable pieces because it’s such a strong chemical. Salt water is just as bad as chlorinated water. Your jewelry will last longer and stay more lustrous if you remember to take it off before getting into the water.
Never go swimming while wearing jewelry. The chlorine in pool water is very harsh and may cause your fine jewelry to appear dull. Ocean salt water can similarly cause damage to any jewelry exposed to it. Taking these off before swimming will protect their beauty and extend their life.
To keep your necklaces tangle-free, look for pretty, embellished robe hooks. Organize these hooks in a row and use them to keep your necklaces free-hanging and untangled. You can group them by style, length or other criteria. This will keep you from having to worry about tangled necklaces the next time you go for one, and it happens to also be an attractive way to display them.
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. If gold is described as 18 karat it is not less than seventy five percent pure, this is considered to be the best quality.
When you set out to buy jewelry, buy a piece because you love it, not because of who makes it. Not many people will be familiar with the brand, and if you allowed yourself to be persuaded by the jeweler to buy that brand, you more than likely paid far too much for the piece. There are a number of different brands that manufacture high-quality jewelry.
Keep in mind when shopping for natural sapphires or rubies that they are hard to discern from artificial ones. The fake ones look identical to real ones, but cost just a fraction. Don’t spring for a supposedly natural sapphire until you have it check for “natural inclusions” by a gemologist with a good reputation.
If you are considering a fine piece of real gold jewelry, you should be prepared to pay a high price. If you decide you must have real gold jewelry, you may want to save money on the karats instead. An 18 karat piece is comprised of no less than 75 percent of pure gold, which is generally considered by many to be the most optimal combination of quality and price.
Alexandrite has a lot of encouraging qualities, but does not get as much press as other stones. The stone’s color morphs from green to purple, changing based on whether you are inside a building or standing outside. Alexandrite is often set in earrings, rings, or pendants.
Onyx jewelry is unique and makes a bold impact, while crystal is a delicate and wonderful touch to any classy outfit. You don’t have to waste money to get great results.
Clean the piece with a cloth that is only slightly damp to avoid loosening the stones. To dry the piece, use a dry soft cloth. Don’t ever use steam cleaners or any kind of harsh chemicals on costume or fashion jewelry.
Many people forget about the beautiful stone Alexandrite. Ambient lighting determines this gemstones color. It can vary from yellow to purple to green, depending on the angle of viewing and the lighting source. Some of the most common places to find alexandrite are earrings, rings, and pendants.
In order to wear jewelry that is from when you were a child without looking outdated or childish, use modern pieces in accordance with your childhood piece for a modern, layered effect. When you wear many necklaces together as a cluster grouping, it is nice to add one personal item, like a cross or other pendant.
As you approach the very personal decision to invest in jewelry, take special care to make purchases that fall within your current budget. It’s a bad financial decision to incur a large amount of debt just because you want a little bling on your finger. For a young couple, a cheaper ring is a better decision. They can always purchase something a little larger when they are more financially stable.
As you have read above, jewelry is a gift that is great for many occasions. Even a little piece can mean the world to the “giftee.” Jewelry also needs to be cleaned and maintained to keep its luster and sparkle. Nevertheless, use the advice described in this article if you want to increase the joy that you get from your jewelry.
Clean the piece with a cloth that is only slightly damp to avoid loosening the stones. Afterwards, dry the whole piece with a soft cloth. Avoid exposing your costume jewelry to steam cleaners or chemicals.
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