You need to learn how to take care of jewelry and buy and sell it responsibly, whether you are giving jewelry gifts, receiving them, or inheriting family heirlooms. This article offers some basic guidelines for preserving the appearance and value of your jewelry.
Get a polishing cloth for your jewelery. A polishing cloth is a very gentle way to get a good shine on all your pieces. Gently polish your jewelry with the two-sided cloth as if it were a mirror. Use one side of the cloth for polishing, and reserve the other side for shining it afterward.
Sterling Silver
If you are shopping for sterling silver jewelry, you’ll need a magnet and an eye for the real thing. Metals that aren’t precious will connect to the magnet, signaling that it is fake. You can generally tell genuine sterling silver by its stamp, which will look something like “.925 ster.” Be wary of jewelery without any kind of hallmark, as often it is fake.
Do they often wear hoop earrings, or stud earrings? Do they show a preference for white or yellow gold? These types of observations will provide a starting point to purchase an item they’ll cherish.
Wear the jewelry piece for a day so that you can get an idea of how comfortable it is and if it hangs right. Doing this also helps you see if the jewelery is long lasting or likely to break easily.
When shopping for jewelry, think about the stones in the pieces. You should chose stones that reflect your personality, as well as complement your skin tone. Neutral colors are versatile enough to wear with any outfit in your closet. Taking these things into account will give you a piece of jewelry you can wear many times and in diverse situations.
Taking proper care of your jewelry requires careful consideration. Each kind of setting, metal, and stone has its own particular maintenance need. What works for one piece of jewelry could dull or damage another. It’s best to speak with a jeweler before you attempt to care of an unfamiliar piece of jewelry.
Costume Jewelry
You will need to take special care when you are buying costume jewelery! Stones in costume jewelry are usually held in place with glue instead of a physical setting. Costume jewelry should never be immersed or make contact with harsh chemicals. The most effective way to safely clean them is wiping with a damp cloth, then drying with a different, soft cloth. This will make your current costume jewelry look great.
Think about ordering custom jewelery if you want to make an original gift to someone who counts for you. A unique piece like this that matches their personality appears creative and thoughtful, and it shows them that you care about them enough to buy them something that they’ll wear.
Proper Care
You will increase the sentimental and actual value of your jewelry with proper care and maintenance. Protecting your jewelry investment can be as simple as learning proper care methods. You can find more information to continuously educate yourself on how to treat jewelry.