Have you ever looked at the mirror and known something was missing in your outfit? Something just seems a little askew, even though your clothes, shoes, and socks all match. The answer is always jewelry. Just a single piece of good jewelry completes your look.
Make sure you organize your jewelry properly. For best results, separate different pieces into different boxes, compartments or hooks. Jewelry should not be lumped together in a pile. Storing them improperly can damage the fragile pieces, and necklaces can get tangled with other pieces.
Precious Metals
Don’t keep your jewelry in open air or someplace with a lot of humidity. Some good examples of proper storage would be,a jewelry box that is closed, or a small draw string bag. Humidity quickly tarnishes both precious and non-precious metal. Polishing will work to restore the color and shine for precious metals, but with non-precious metals, polishing will not help the change in color.
Take a magnet and a keen eye with you when you head out to purchase any jewelry made from sterling silver. Use the magnet to detect fake jewelry; real silver will not be attracted to the magnet, but the cheaper metals will. Another way to tell if a metal is sterling silver is to check for a hallmark stamp, for example .sterling, .ster, or .925. If you cannot find a stamp, you might be looking at a cheap imitation.
Be sure that you understand the kind of gemstone that is in the jewelry that you are purchasing. Jewels come in natural, synthetic and imitation forms. Imitation gems are basically plastic that is colored, while synthetic and natural are real. Natural stones are mined, and synthetic stones are created in a laboratory.
Keep your jewelry from getting tarnished to preserve its best appearance. Exposure to water can affect the finish, so avoid it. Many of the metals become tarnished, rusty or dull when they get exposed to the elements of water. If you are looking to protect your jewelry from the ill effects of water, try applying clear nail polish, just a thin layer, on the piece itself.
Costume Jewelry
If you want to collect costume jewelry, concentrate on getting quality peices. Even though it is not as expensive as its precious counterpart, costume jewelry represents a significant investment, one that can be lost if the pieces are allowed to get worn and broken. Investing in quality means that you can enjoy the jewelry for many years to come.
Wearing the jewelry yourself can help you decide if it will be appropriate for your intended recipient. You will also find out if your creation is durable enough.
Take stones into consideration when you go to purchase new jewelry. Choose stones that complement your complexion and that best reflect your personality. Neutral colors are versatile enough to wear with any outfit in your closet. A piece that is hard to wear is not as useful as one that goes with everything.
Take careful consideration when thinking of how you want to care for the jewelry you purchase. Various settings, types of metals, and gemstones need different types of care to protect them and make sure they get cleaned properly. What works for a certain kind of stone may not work for another. Consult with a jeweler if you are unsure exactly how to care for your own jewels.
As this article has stated, jewelry is a great accessory to complete any of your outfits. Jewelry comes in many different styles, including those for the office, for the formal dinner, and for the dance floor. Then, next time when you’re deciding what to wear, remember to add some jewelry to your outfit.