Regardless of how you obtained your new piece of jewelry, sometimes understanding all you need to know about it can be confusing. Without being given the necessary information, it can be hard to know where to start. You will find some tips about jewelery when you are trying to make a informed decision.
Polish your jewelry regularly with a jeweler’s polishing cloth. This is a very easy way to make them shine and not have to use any type of chemicals or solvents. All you do is polish it like you would a glass with the two-sided cloth. First use the polishing side, and finish with the other side to make it shine.
Always keep your jewelry in a place that doesn’t experience extreme temperatures or humidities. Keep them stored safely in a closed, dark area, like a jewelry box or drawstring bag. All metals will tarnish if they are subjected to too much air and humidity. Precious metal jewelry can be polished to fix tarnish, but non-precious metals coated with a finish will never get back to their previous state.
Sterling Silver
Arm yourself with a magnet and a magnifying glass when shopping for sterling silver jewelry. You are able to detect fake pieces of sterling jewelry with a magnet, as non-precious metals are attracted by the magnet. Look for the hallmark stamped on the piece of jewelry to determine what percentage sterling silver it is. If you don’t see such a mark, you might want to reconsider the purchase. This is usually an indication that the piece is fake.
Take note of whether they wear hoop earrings or studs, yellow gold or white gold, an ankle bracelet, etc. Just paying attention to what they wear now will make buying for them much easier than asking a salesperson.
Test it out by wearing it yourself; you don’t want to give a piece that will be uncomfortable or awkward for the recipient. You will also have the knowledge that the piece is not going to fall apart the first time the receiver wears it.
Know how to keep your jewelry beautiful. Different kinds of jewelery will require you take care of them in different ways. A treatment that polishes one stone may scratch another stone. If you’re not sure of how to properly care for your jewelry, seek advice from a reputable jeweler.
Costume Jewelry
Costume jewelry needs to be handled and stored delicately. A lot of the stones in costume jewelery are glued in and not set in. Avoid using harsh chemicals on these pieces, and do not immerse them. Simply wipe it with a damp warm cloth, followed by a soft, dry cloth. This will make your current costume jewelry look great.
Put your make up on before the jewelery. Makeup will settle into your jewelry making it look dull and dingy. It is especially important to keep this in mind when putting on earrings and necklaces.
Plastic Wrap
Even knotted necklaces with delicate loops can be untangled. If you are about to give up, get some baby oil and plastic wrap. Put the necklace on the plastic wrap and cover it with a little baby oil. Use a straight pin to untangle the knot. Wash it gently with a bit of dish soap and then pat it dry.
As you have read, jewelry has a myriad of various aspects. Yet, when you arm yourself with the proper knowledge through research, you are well on your way to ensuring you can both purchase quality pieces and care for those pieces properly. Welcome to the enchanting world of jewelry! These tips should be a useful first step on your journey.