Jewelry is complicated no matter how you come into a piece. You might have inherited it or bought it on an impulse, but either way you probably need to look up some information on jewelry. Owning jewelry dates back centuries, so where do you look for answers when you have questions? You will find some tips about jewelery when you are trying to make a informed decision.
Keep your jewelry looking like new by wiping it with a polishing cloth. This is a natural way to shine all of your jewelry without relying on abrasives or other harsh chemicals. Buff your jewelry with the two-sided cloth, just as if you were cleaning a glass. Use one side of the cloth for polishing, and reserve the other side for shining it afterward.
Be careful on how you store all of your jewelry together. Use a box that has several different compartments and hooks to keep your pieces apart. Never simply throw piles of jewelry in a box. Heavy pieces should not be placed in the same compartment with fragile pieces.
Don’t keep your jewelry in open air or someplace with a lot of humidity. A drawstring bag or closed box offers the best protection from moisture in the air. Continued exposure to humidity extremes or air causes metals typically used in jewelry to tarnish. It’s possible to restore precious metals through polishing, but lesser-quality metals may suffer permanent damage.
Sterling Silver
Bring a magnet when shopping for sterling silver jewelery. Precious metals, like sterling silver, will not be attracted to the magnet. You will always find a hallmark stamp such as “.925” or “STER.” on genuine sterling, or alternately, it might simply say, “STERLING”. If there is no hallmark, the piece is probably not authentic and may, indeed, be counterfeit.
You should expect good jewelry to last the rest of your life, and possibly beyond. 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 can be told by its superior craftsmanship and good manufacture. The jeweler should be able to give you a history on the piece, like who crafted it and where the stones came from if there are any. When you chose a high-quality piece, you know your jewelry will last forever.
Always compare prices before purchasing any diamonds. Always see the piece up close, and compare it critically to any others you’re considering. Beware, there are many tricks to enhance the look of a sub-par diamond.
Look at what they are wearing now. Do they like hoops or studs? Does the person prefer chokers or loose fitting necklaces? This should give you a grasp of their tastes, and some ideas about what to buy for them.
One way to ensure that your jewelry stays clean is to put it only after you have applied your make-up and it has had time to set. The sparkle of a piece of jewelry is a magnet for loose or wet makeup, which will leave it tarnished and dingy. This is especially true when earrings and necklaces are concerned.
Jewelry has many different and interesting aspects. With careful and helpful research, you will know you are buying quality jewelry and handling them the right way. You will find that the jewelry experience is both rewarding and fulfilling, so get involved! The tips below will help you learn what you need to get started.