The thought behind jewelry can be as beautiful as the actual piece. A well-chosen piece of jewelry preserves a memory of an important occasion or serves as a perpetual symbol of a special relationship. As your knowledge of jewelry increases, so too will your appreciation of jewelry.
Don’t use harsh chemicals like turpentine or bleach to clean jewelry. Doing so can destroy enamel finishes, while clouding stones and crystals.
You should always store your jewelry very carefully. Using boxes, hooks, holders, and compartments is very effective for ensuring the pieces stay separated. Resist the urge to jumble all your pieces together in one box or basket. This can harm delicate parts, and tangle some pieces with others, like necklaces.
Sterling Silver
If you want to buy sterling silver pieces, use a magnet and examine the jewelry very carefully. Imitations will be attracted to your magnet. This is an easy way to recognize quality. Sterling silver always has some sort of stamp to indicate it is sterling. If a particular piece is not stamped, you should be cautious of its authenticity.
Do some research on the gem in your new piece of jewelry before you buy. Three different kinds of gems are available for purchase: imitation, synthetic and natural. Both synthetic and natural gems are real; however, imitation is simply plastic. Synthetic gems come from a lab and natural ones are found in the ground.
To help maintain its appearance, take good care of it to keep it from getting tarnished. One of the best ways to keep your jewelry looking beautiful is to avoid wearing it in water. If you let some metals get wet too often, they can tarnish, rust or become dull. To protect your jewelry from exposure, apply a single coat of clear nail lacquer to its surface.
Before purchasing a gemstone, find out if it has been treated, and if so, how. Different treatments come with different requirements for cleaning and storage. Cleaning a treated gem using the wrong chemical might damage it.
When you want to sell jewelry on the Internet, you should try to show it off in an attractive way. A nice photo and description is essential since your online customer will not be able to see the piece in person. Take photos that clearly focus on the jewelry, without a distracting background.
The cut, color and clarity of a diamond can make a bigger impression than size alone. It’s also important to consider the personality of whomever is to receive the diamond.
Don’t swim while wearing your jewelry. The life and luster of your jewelry can be damaged by the strong chemical chlorine. Salt water is similarly abrasive to some jewelry. To safeguard your valuable jewelry, set it aside in a safe place before you go in for a swim.
Trading in jewelry means trading in something priceless: memories. Jewelry is often more than just a piece of metal or stones, it is a memory from a moment in time, shrouded with emotions from the giver, as well as the recipient.