You will never have enough information about jewelery. This becomes especially important when you consider mistakes. Even a small one can prove quite expensive. Read on to find a variety of tips about jewelry. This information can guide you in selecting and caring for jewelry pieces, and help you avoid some common pitfalls.
To keep your jewelry looking attractive, polish it regularly using a cloth made especially for this purpose. A polishing cloth is a very gentle way to get a good shine on all your pieces. You can use the two-sided cloth to polish your jewelry in the same way you would polish a drinking glass. Use the one side designated for polish, and the other for making it shine.
When you are putting your jewelry away, take care on how it is stored. Keep pieces separately by using compartments, boxes, hooks and holders. Don’t throw piles into a box. This does damage to jewelry pieces, which are often fragile. Necklaces lumped together can get tangled up into a knotted ball.
Sterling Silver
When shopping for sterling silver jewelry, it is a good idea to bring a small magnet along with you. If an item of jewelry is attracted by a magnet, it is not sterling silver! Only non-precious metals can be drawn to a magnet. You will always find a hallmark stamp such as “.925” or “STER.” on genuine sterling, or alternately, it might simply say, “STERLING”. If the piece that you are looking at is not hallmarked, this is usually the sign that it is a fake.
For jewelry to stay shiny and new-looking, it is important to keep it from tarnishing. Remove your jewelry if you plan on spending time in or near water. Many pieces can become rusty, tarnished or dull when they are exposed to water. For added protection for your jewelry, try adding a thin coating of clear nail polish.
If you like to collect costume jewelry pieces, become very choosy about each piece’s condition. Well-done costume jewelry is often worth the price, but if it’s worn out or visibly damaged, it won’t be worth the effort it takes to restore it. Stick to pieces that are in good to excellent condition, as they are the best investments.
Costume Jewelry
You need to take special care of costume jewelry. Many costume jewelry pieces are glued rather than set. For this reason, costume jewelry should never touch water, and you should avoid using detergents on it. The best way to clean these pieces are to wipe them clean with a damp cloth and dry immediately with another cloth. This will help your costume jewelry to continue looking great.
Apply your makeup before putting on your jewelry. Makeup can gravitate dust and grime towards your jewelry leaving it to look dull. This is especially true when earrings and necklaces are concerned.
If you want to purchase new jewelry, watch for discounts or sales. Jewelry sales offer big savings. Look for the best promotions and sales on the Internet, in your local paper, on television ads, and even in storefront windows. You can occasionally get fading fashion styles for a fraction of their original prices.
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.