Knowing what jewelry to buy and how to take care of it isn’t something everyone just knows without doing research. There is a huge amount of information available, and finding the best information may not seem to be worth the effort. This article contains some of the best tips available.
Sterling Silver
When shopping for sterling silver jewelry, it is a good idea to bring a small magnet along with you. Take the magnet with you to find fake pieces of jewelery, sterling silver will not stick to the magnet. Another way to tell if a metal is sterling silver is to check for a hallmark stamp, for example .sterling, .ster, or .925. If there is no marking on the piece, it may not be sterling silver.
You need to know the type of gem that you are purchasing. There are three different types: natural, synthetic and imitation. While natural and synthetic stones are the real deal, imitation stones are made to look like a real gemstone, but could be anything from colored glass to plastic. The only difference between natural and imitation gemstones is where they are made. Natural occur naturally, while synthetic stones are grown in labs.
A piece of jewelry should be long lasting. It is important to invest in a quality piece of jewelry, so only work with respected and reputable jewelers. High-quality jewelry items will have superior craftsmanship and pleasing, aesthetic designs. 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. Investing in a high-quality jewelry piece ensures that you will have a timeless item that will be just as wearable in 20 years as it is today.
Ask about a jeweler’s insurance policy before buying anything. You want to know if they will be able to repair or replace the piece if it was to break. Some jewelers have insurance policies that cover lost of stolen jewelry, also.
Costume Jewelry
You need to pay attention to care and maintenance if you intend to build up a costume jewelry collection. Costume jewelry can be very expensive and a great investment, but a piece that shows too much wear and tear will not be worth the money or time. The most useful pieces in your collection are the ones that are in excellent condition.
Take good care of your costume jewelry. Costume jewelry is generally bound by glue rather than settings and is therefore, a lot more fragile. Don’t submerge costume jewelry in water or clean it with abrasives. The most effective way to safely clean them is wiping with a damp cloth, then drying with a different, soft cloth. This will keep your costume jewelry clean and shiny.
Doing this will not only accentuate your waist, it will also act as the accent piece for your outfit. The best places to pin the brooch for maximum visual impact are the middle of your waist and at hip line.
When searching for better success with purchasing, caring for, or wearing jewelry, you have to make sure you stay up-to-date on the latest information. Thanks to the above article, you now can spend more of your time actually searching for jewelry instead of searching for solid information. Your future efforts selecting, caring for and giving jewelry will be more successful when you make use of the tips you’ve just read.