A gift of jewelry is one of the most classic means of telling another person that you love them, are proud of them and that you never want to forget them. Regardless of the size, style, or value of the piece of jewelry, it will always be appreciated and treasured. The following article will give you some insight about jewelry, whether you are thinking of buying some as a gift or purchasing a special piece for yourself.
You never want to use bleach, ammonia, or any other cleaning solvents that are not designed specifically for cleaning jewelry. This will result in damage to both the stones and the metal of the piece.
Be cautious of storing all of your pieces of jewelry together. Precious metals and certain gemstones will tarnish if they are exposed to humidity, so keep the away from this. You should never simply throw your jewelry into a box in a messy pile. Not only can it damage finer, fragile pieces, but it can also make a tangled mess out of chains.
Keep your jewelry in a relatively air-tight container, and minimize its exposure to humidity. It’s best to store it in a closed box, like a jewelry box, or a drawstring bag. All metals will tarnish if they are subjected to too much air and humidity. 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.
Precious Metals
Arm yourself with a magnet and a magnifying glass when shopping for sterling silver jewelry. To spot scams, see if the magnet attracts the piece. If it does, then shout “FAKE!” at the top of your lungs and move to the next store. Sterling silver should always bear a stamp that says Sterling, Ster. or .925. If the item has no markings indicating its authenticity, then be wary.
The metals in jewelry can tarnish if exposed to humid air, so you will want to store them in a way that protects them. Keep them stored safely in a closed, dark area, like a jewelry box or drawstring bag. Metals will become tarnished when exposed to air and humidity. Precious metals are capable of being polished until they are like new, while non-precious metals will not be able to be saved. This is because the non-precious metals are simple copper metal coated with the covering of precious metals, and when polished, they will allow the copper to show through.
Knowing what type of jewel you are buying when you purchase jewelry is very important. Jewels come in natural, synthetic and imitation forms. Imitation has little value, as it is generally plastic, while synthetic and natural are considered to be real gems. Synthetic gems are grown in a lab, natural gems are dug out of the Earth.
Make sure that you learn about the jeweler’s insurance policy prior to making any purchases. That way, if something were to happen to your jewelry, you can easily bring it back to the jeweler who will fix or replace it. There are jewelers who offer insurance for misplaced or lost jewelry, too.
Quality jewelry should stay beautiful forever. 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 items will have superior craftsmanship and pleasing, aesthetic designs. A reputable jeweler will be able to provide you with a full background of the piece, including where the stones are from and who made it. It is essential to purchase high-quality jewelry if you want it to become a treasured heirloom passed down for generations.
If you are interested in collecting costume jewelry, be sure to stay conscious of the condition. Costume jewelry make good investments and they can be costly, but an item that shows major signs of usage will be a poor investment of your time and money. The most useful pieces in your collection are the ones that are in excellent condition.
If you like to buy costume jewelry, make sure that you examine the condition carefully. Many costume pieces are a great investment and can be quite costly, but costume jewelry that has too many signs of wear will not keep their value over time. Stick to pieces that are in good to excellent condition, as they are the best investments.
Give the jewelry a little test drive and wear it for a little bit to see if it is comfortable and lays right. Doing this also helps you see if the jewelery is long lasting or likely to break easily.
A brooch will accent your belt and will instantly add visual interest. You have the option of placing it close to your hip, or at your waist near the center.
When buying jewelry, think about what kind of stone would be right. Choose a stone that reflects both your personality, skin tone and lifestyle. Choosing neutral colors can help them match anything you wear. Don’t even bother to buy something that doesn’t function properly.
Shop the sales to get great jewelry on a budget. Jewelry sales can save you a significant amount of cash. Locate the best prices online, in newspapers and in stores. You could get great jewelry at discounts close to 50%, especially when it comes to styles that are being phased out.
Think about how best ways to look after your jewelry. Different cleaning techniques are required for different types of jewelry. What can be beneficial to one type of stone can actually cause harm to another. Go ahead and ask a professional jeweler to find out exactly how you should be caring for your jewels.
Untangling knotted chains can be easy if you know how to do it. The first thing you need to do is get a piece of plastic wrap. Put the necklace onto a wrap, and place mineral or baby oil on it. Needles can be used to untangle it. Wash any oil residue from the necklace with dishwashing liquid, and gently pat it dry.
If you’re shopping for an individual who likes unique pieces of jewelry, you should consider purchasing an item that is made specifically for this person. This will express the time you spent to get their gift just right, just the kind of sentiment you want to show your special friends.
Do not buy a piece of jewelery if you are not sure when you are going to wear it. There is nothing worse than a box full of unloved jewelry. When making a selection, remember your outfits, clothing and accessories.
Plastic Wrap
Avoid steam saunas and dry ones. The high levels of moisture and heat are very damaging to the jewelry.
Even knotted necklaces with delicate loops can be untangled. It’s easy to get frustrated when trying to get the knots out of a badly tangled necklace, but try using some plastic wrap before you call it quits. Place your jewelry on the plastic wrap and add a little baby oil. Use a sewing needle to untangle the necklace. Wash them using dish soap, and then pat dry them.
Ensure that the clasps of your jewelry are sturdy and reliable. Clasps keep your pendants safe. If you have expensive or heirloom items, invest in a safety clasp. Some people may even choose to put a second or third clasp on their priceless pieces to keep them safe while wearing them.
A good quality clap is very important to any necklace or bracelet. You risk losing your necklace, and the expensive stones attached to it, if your clasp fails. With a more expensive piece of jewelry, it is a good idea to insist on a safety clasp. Some opt for two or three clasps on their extremely valuable pieces of jewelry so that they stay safe during wear.
Don’t buy a piece of jewelry based solely on the brand. It will be difficult for others to tell where you purchased an item, and if you’re only buying something because of the name, it could very well be overpriced. There are a number of different brands that manufacture high-quality jewelry.
Don’t swim wearing your jewelry. The life and luster of your jewelry can be damaged by the strong chemical chlorine. Likewise, salt water can also damage your jewelry. It is advisable to remove all jewelry prior to participating in any water sports to protect and extend the life of your jewelry.
Crystal or onyx stones both stand out and make bold statements. You don’t need to completely empty your wallet on a new jewelry piece to be pleased with the results.
Using robe hooks will help to stop necklaces from becoming tangled. Attach this hardware to the inside of your closet door or on your bedroom wall, and hang groups of necklaces according to length or color. Not only does this keep necklaces from tangling up into knots in your jewelry box, but it makes an attractive accent to your decor.
Combining large decorative jewelry with basic outfits can have quite the effect. Opt instead for a simple, monotone outfit which will showcase your jewelry.
Don’t focus on brand when buying a piece of jewelry. Few people can identify jewelry brands on sight. A jeweler who convinces you that a brand is worth paying more for is probably just out to get as much of your money as possible. There are a number of different brands that manufacture high-quality jewelry.
It may be tough to figure out how to best present jewelry that you are selling at informal events like craft fairs and flea markets. While you source your jewelry materials, keep an eye out for display ideas. Different types of boxes, stands, racks and baskets can all be turned into jewelry when you think outside the box.
If you want to spend a lot of money on some jewelry, then make sure to buy a piece that will last a very long time. Quality and durability are usually givens when you spend big, but style and fashion also come into play. A modern cut may look wonderful with your style now but clash terribly with your timeless investment pieces several years down the line. Choose a classic, timeless piece.
Apply a damp cloth in order to clean jewelry without damaging it. Afterwards, dry the whole piece with a soft cloth. When caring for fashion jewelry, you must never allow it to come into contact with steam or harsh chemicals.
As you have read above, jewelry is a gift that is great for many occasions. The piece does not have to be over-the-top and ostentatious either, even a small item is guaranteed to please the receiver. You will be a jewelry expert if you can make meaningful gifts and also take good care of your jewelry. Use these suggestions to find better pleasures in jewelery.
Give your loved one a special surprise with a new piece of jewelry. Jewelry is a wonderful surprise that any woman will love. Not only that, you get to see her beam with joy as she opens up that cute little box you gave her as a surprise.
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