Whatever your jewelry situation is, the jewelry world can get confusing. Where should you look when it comes to finding knowledge about jewelery? The following article will describe some useful tips about jewelry to assist you in becoming a highly educated consumer.
Take care to store your jewelry safely. The right jewelry box that has separate compartments, hooks and holders to keep the pieces apart is the best choice. Resist the urge to jumble all your pieces together in one box or basket. This can damage the finer and more fragile pieces, and items like necklaces can entangle with each other and other pieces into a big mess.
Always keep your jewelry in a place that doesn’t experience extreme temperatures or humidities. Some good examples of proper storage would be,a jewelry box that is closed, or a small draw string bag. Humidity quickly tarnishes both precious and non-precious metal. Precious metals, through some work and polish, can be restored to their original condition. Non-precious metals are coated, which means that polishing will allow copper metal to come through.
Sterling Silver
If you are shopping for sterling silver jewelry, you’ll need a magnet and an eye for the real thing. You can tell if a piece of silver is sterling or not by using a magnet. Sterling will not react to the magnet, but non-precious metals will be attracted. True sterling silver will also have a mark on it to indicate its quality, such as “.925” or “ster”. Be wary of jewelery without any kind of hallmark, as often it is fake.
Take the time to notice what kind of jewelry they already wear. For example, if they wear earrings, are they hoop or studs? Do they prefer white or yellow metals? This way, you know where you should start when buying a gift.
When you purchase jewelry from a jeweler, ask about their insurance policy. Look for a good policy that lets you return damaged items. In some instances, you can even insure your jewelry against loss or theft.
If you can prevent your jewelry from tarnishing, it will surely look much more attractive. Try to keep your jewelry away from water. Many metals can become tarnished, rusty or dull when exposed to water too often. You can give your jewelry an additional layer of protection by applying a thin coat of clear nail polish to it.
Costume Jewelry
If you want to collect costume jewelry, concentrate on getting quality peices. Costume jewelry is pricey and can retain its value in many cases, but pieces that are damaged aren’t worth much and aren’t worth the time to restore. Make sure you have a piece that is in excellent condition, because this will be a lot more fruitful for you down the road.
You should always make an effort to properly care for all of your jewelry. Every metal, setting, and stone has different requirements when it comes to care. What can be beneficial to one type of stone can actually cause harm to another. Consult with a jeweler if you are unsure exactly how to care for your own jewels.
Costume jewelry has different, specific care requirements. A fair amount of costume pieces are set with glue. Do not dip your jewelery in chemicals that may harm them. Wiping your jewelry off with with a slightly dampened cloth and then wiping it dry is usually sufficient to keep it clean. This will ensure that all of your costume jewelry looks like it did the day you bought it.
Your jewelry will stay cleaner if you wait until after you apply make-up to put it on. All the grime and dust from your makeup attracts jewelry. Therefore, putting on jewelry beforehand can make the piece look dingy. This is even more necessary for earrings and necklaces.
Look for sales when you want to buy some new jewelry. With the right kind of sale, you can save a lot of money. Sales can be found online, in store windows, or in your local newspaper. Sometimes, buying fashions that are out of style can save you more than half of their original price.
Have definite plans for the jewelry you purchase. You don’t need a box full of unused jewelry. When picking jewelry, be sure to keep your clothing in mind.
If you’re in the market for diamond jewelry, make sure to comparison shop. Every diamond is unique and they all have slight imperfections. Seeing a diamond in person will help you determine whether you can accept a given imperfection. Also, jewelers can adjust prices based on a specific diamond’s particular condition. Shop several different jewelers to find the ideal diamond in your price range.
When you are shopping for gifts, why not consider a jewelry set? You can often find great deals on jewelry sets. You could always break the sets up and give them as individual gifts. It is an excellent way to know that you have a gift for someone that he or she is sure to love.
By now you understand there are many amazing details regarding jewelry. That said, if you read carefully and know what you are buying, you can pick only the best pieces and care for them properly. When you first start out with jewelry, it is like a whole other world, and it is one flush with excitement and beauty. You will be well on your way to enjoying jewelry better when you make use of these tips.
