It’s impossible to know too much about beautiful jewelry! You could lose a lot of money through easily-avoided mistakes, if you don’t cultivate at least a little bit of jewelry know-how. Here are some safe and reliable tips for jewelry selection and care. Let this article guide you to the best possible jewelry choices for your needs.
Some precious metals and gems need to be kept away from moisture and humidity. Store them in a closed jewelry box or small drawstring bag for maximum protection. Certain metals begin to tarnish when exposed to humidity. Precious metals are able to be polished and retain their luster, but the non-precious metals have a coat, and polishing will cause the metal under it to show through.
If you are shopping for sterling silver jewelry, you’ll need a magnet and an eye for the real thing. Magnets attract non-precious metals, and you can use this fact to detect fakes. True sterling sliver always has some sort of hallmark stamp on it, such as .925, sterling or ster. If there is no marking on the piece, it may not be sterling silver.
You need to know the type of gem that you are purchasing. There are three unique types of stones: imitation, synthetic and natural. Imitation gems are basically plastic that is colored, while synthetic and natural are real. While natural gems come out of mines, synthetic ones come out of laboratories.
Jewelry should last a life-time. Whenever you buy jewelry, make sure you go to a reliable, experienced dealer, so you know you’re getting an outstanding piece of jewelry. High-quality jewelry is durable and displays excellent craftsmanship. The jeweler you buy it from should be providing you with a provenance on the piece. Details of where it came from, what it is made from and who made it. It is important that your pieces are high-quality if you want them to last a long time.
Think about how best ways to look after your jewelry. Not all types of jewelry can be cleaned in the same manner. Not all jewelry should be cared for in the same way. If you are unfamiliar with the correct way to clean or maintain a piece, consult a jeweler.
Wait until after your makeup is complete and set before putting on jewelry. If you put on makeup after you put on your jewelry, dust and particles from the makeup will migrate to the jewelry, which makes it dirty quite quickly. Doing this is particularly important when you are wearing a necklace or earrings, as they will brush against your makeup more than other jewelry.
You should always know what you plan on doing with jewelry when purchasing it. Having a lot of never worn jewelry is not necessary. Think about the outfits you can wear the jewelry with when you are choosing different pieces.
That includes dry or steam saunas. The moisture and heat can cause your jewelry to become damaged.
A jewelry set makes an excellent present for that special someone. The larger jewelry stores will often give discounts on an entire set of jewelry. Consider splitting apart the set and giving your loved one a single piece at a time. This is an excellent way to give something every holiday season without having to worry that you will forget.
You need a good clasp for any necklaces and bracelets. Unless your necklace or bracelet has a durable closure, you risk losing expensive or sentimental pendants, stones and charms. Anytime you buy an expensive bracelet or necklace it is recommended you request a safety clasp. If there is a piece that you simply cannot afford to lose, try an additional clasp for added safety.
Expensive Jewelry
When you are purchasing expensive jewelry, you should remind yourself that this is an investment that you will want to wear for many years. Although more expensive jewelry is normally high quality, there are other factors to consider. Something that is trendy right now might look ridiculous in a few years. Choose a piece that has classic lines and timeless style.
If you really want real gold pieces, high gold prices might be one of the only things to worry about. It is possible to save extra money when you compromise on karats, if gold necklaces or rings are what your heart truly desires. 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.
Many people have started wearing silver jewelry and yellow gold jewelry together. To do this, have one piece that has both metals in it. If not, this could look outdated or mismatched.
To avoid damaging the setting, clean only with a damp cloth, and be gentle. After wiping the item clean, wipe it dry with a soft cloth. Because of this less secure setting, never use chemicals or steam to clean your costume jewelry.
Take any fine jewelry you are considering selling to a gemologist or a certified appraiser. If you do so, you have a very good idea of what the piece is worth, which makes you much better prepared to evaluate offers that are made when you put it up for sale.
Well, it’s easy when you know how. This article has just touched on a few of things that you should know about this very rewarding hobby. There is much to learn, but at least you’ve now got a few good ideas to put to work.