There is no such thing as knowing too much when it comes to jewelry, especially when what you know is useful, practical and extensive. This becomes especially important when you consider mistakes. Even a small one can prove quite expensive. The following tips will be of help. The tips given here can guide you in acquiring jewelry and steer you away from some common mistakes people make.
If you are shopping for sterling silver jewelry, you’ll need a magnet and an eye for the real thing. When you do this, you become able to find fake pieces of any type of sterling jewelry. You can use the magnet because non-precious metals actually are attracted by magnets. Look for the hallmark stamped on the piece of jewelry to determine what percentage sterling silver it is. If the item has no markings indicating its authenticity, then be wary.
Knowing what type of jewel you are buying when you purchase jewelry is very important. Gemstones now come in natural as well as synthetic and imitation types. Imitation gems are basically plastic that is colored, while synthetic and natural are real. Synthetic gems are grown in a lab, natural gems are dug out of the Earth.
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.
Costume Jewelry
Special care is required for costume jewelry. Many of the costume type settings are glued-in, rather than set-in. Therefore, you shouldn’t get costume jewelry wet or expose it to harsh chemicals. To clean your jewelry, dampen a cloth with warm water and gently wipe the item. Then use a clean, dry cloth to dry the jewelry. This will clean off any residue and make it look like new, without damaging it.
Gems are given chemical treatments in the process of cutting, polishing and setting. When you are thinking of buying, ask what treatment a stone was given. The various treatments that gems are given means that they need to be cared for differently. If you use the wrong cleanser because you are uneducated about the gem, you could strip off the treatment and even damage the stone.
Be careful when untangling your delicate necklaces. It’s easy to get frustrated with tangled necklaces, but saran wrap can come to the rescue. Lay the necklace out on plastic wrap, then apply baby or mineral oil. Gently untangle the knots with needles. Wash it gently with a bit of dish soap and then pat it dry.
This goes for any type of sauna, either steam or dry. The high temperatures and damp environment can corrode the surface of your jewelry and cause long-term damage to the piece.
Be sure to shop around when buying diamond jewelry. No two diamonds are exactly the same, each will have different flaws. Some flaws may be less important to you once you actually see it in person. A jeweler will individually price the diamond based on a multitude of factors, any flaws being one of them. Comparison shop between various jewelers to locate the best diamond in the price range that you can afford.
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.