Have you ever gotten dressed up but still felt something was missing when you look at your reflection in the mirror? Your clothes are stylish, your aren’t wearing odd socks, and you put your shoes on correctly, but something is off. Jewelry is what is missing.Even the simplest piece of jewelry can unite your outfit together.
Harsh chemicals and solvents can damage the finish of your jewelry and should never be used to clean it. These chemicals can wreak havoc on your jewelry, from discoloring bands, to dulling stones, to eroding enamel or glue.
Use a soft cloth on your jewelry pieces. This is a very easy way to make them shine and chemicals. Use the two-sided cloth to gently buff your jewelry just as if you would a delicate glass.Use one side to shine it and the other for improving its shine.
This can dull your stones and the metal of the piece.
Keep your jewelry in a relatively air-tight container, and minimize its exposure to humidity. Keep them stored safely in a closed, dark area, like a jewelry box or drawstring bag. 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.
Precious Metals
Keep jewelry stored safely and away from humidity or air. Air and humidity can tarnish metals of to tarnish. Precious metals can easily be polished, but non-precious metals coated with a finish will never get back to their previous state.
When shopping for sterling silver jewelry, it is a good idea to bring a small magnet along with you. Precious metals, like sterling silver, will not be attracted to the magnet. Another way to tell if a metal is sterling silver is to check for a hallmark stamp, for example .sterling, .ster, or .925. If there is no hallmark, watch its authenticity since it may be fake.
If you are in the market to buy some silver jewelry, then by all means bring a magnet. You can detect fake sterling silver with the magnet, as non-precious metals are attracted by the magnet. You will always find a hallmark stamp such as “.925” or “STER.” on genuine sterling, for example “sterling,” “ster, “STERLING”. If there is no marking on the piece, you might be looking at a cheap imitation.
Costume jewelry can be very expensive and a great investment, but also a costly one; keep in mind the pieces you wish to add to your collection don’t show too much wear. A piece in excellent condition will increase in value.
Jewelry should be a purchase that truly lasts a lifetime. When selecting jewelry, a reputable jeweler is indispensable to ensuring you get quality items. High-quality jewelry items will have superior craftsmanship and pleasing, aesthetic designs. The person selling the piece should know its history, including who made it and the source of the stones. Choosing a high-quality piece of jewelry is important, so that it will last forever.
You need to learn the best ways to take care for each piece in your jewelry. What works well with one type of precious stone may not work for another. Ask a jeweler when you know how to maintain your jewelry.
Costume Jewelry
Before you make a final jewelry-buying decision, take a look at what’s new and trendy. If there is one thing better than finding the perfect, most heart-stopping bauble, it would be snagging the piece at a wonderful price!
You will need to pay special attention when caring for costume jewelry. Many of the stones and embellishments are just glued rather than set. You will need to avoid using strong chemicals or immersion baths on your costume jewelry. The best way to clean these pieces are to wipe with a damp cloth and dry with another cloth. This will keep costume jewelry that you have looking sparkling clean and new.
If you are getting jewelry for someone you consider to be one-of-a-kind, try finding a special piece that is crafted specifically for them. A unique ring, which is exactly what you want to express to a person you care enough about to buy jewelry for.
Be sure to at least inquire about the insurance that is available when you buy jewelry from a reputable jeweler. If something happened to your jewelery, you can take it back and see if they will fix it! You might find some jewelers who are willing to insure it against loss and theft.
Before you buy a gemstone, you should first determine if and how the stone was treated. The kind of care for a stone needs is dependent on what it was treated with.
It’s no secret; virtually every outfit you have could be enhanced with the addition of stylish jewelry. With so many different kinds of jewelry, you can create a look that is traditional, trendy or polished. Before you walk out the door, put on a piece of jewelry to make sure you are looking your best.
Make sure you take precautions to stop your jewelery from losing its shine. Jewelry should not be worn near the water. Some metals will tarnish, dull or rust when exposed to water or perspiration. A very light coating of clear nail varnish can be applied to some jewelry, and this will add an additional line of protection against the elements.