No matter how you obtain the jewelry, it is important to care for your jewelry the right way. Jewelry has a high monetary value, and likely means a lot to you too. Some handy hints are right here to help you optimize the cost of purchasing jewelry, and the effort you need to go to so as to find the right piece.
Don’t clean your jewelry in harsh household chemicals like ammonia, bleach or turpentine. These chemicals can turn stones dull and even erode the enamel.
Sterling Silver
Arm yourself with a magnet and a magnifying glass when shopping for sterling silver jewelry. You can tell if a piece of silver is sterling or not by using a magnet. Sterling will not react to the magnet, but non-precious metals will be attracted. In addition, sterling silver pieces are always stamped with silver hallmarks indicating such factors as the degree of purity, the manufacturer’s symbol, and the date of manufacture. Some of the most common hallmarks are “925, “ster,” “sterling,” and “sterling silver.” If the piece of presumed silver is not marked, be skeptical that is real silver. It could very well be a fake.
Know the type of gem you’re buying, when you buy it. There are basically three distinct types: natural gems, synthetic gems and imitation stones. “Real” can mean natural or synthetic, and an imitation stone could be glass or plastic. They make synthetic stones in a lab, whereas natural stones come from the ground.
Look at what they are wearing now. Do they like hoops or studs? Does the person prefer chokers or loose fitting necklaces? This way, you know where you should start when buying a gift.
Check to see if your jeweler offers an insurance policy before purchasing an item. Many stores offer a policy where you can bring broken or damaged jewelry back to the original jeweler for repair at little to no cost. In some cases, insurance policies will cover lost, misplaced or stolen pieces.
Costume Jewelry
As a collector of costume jewelry, you should investigate the condition of the pieces that you want to add to your collection Costume jewelry can prove to be a good investment, but also a costly one; keep in mind the pieces you wish to add to your collection don’t show too much wear. Stick to pieces that are in good to excellent condition, as they are the best investments.
There are a lot of different types of stones to think about getting when buying new jewelry. Choose stones that have a reflection on your personality and that also complement the color of your skin. Neutral colors are versatile enough to wear with any outfit in your closet. Buying something that does not work with multiple outfits is pointless.
Putting on jewelry only after you have put on makeup and fixed your hair will keep it from being exposed to chemicals that could tarnish it. Putting jewelry on prior to applying makeup or hairspray allows gunk and grime from your beauty products to settle on the jewelry, leaving it dull and potentially harming the finish. This applies to necklaces and earrings more than anything else.
Make sure you look into the history of your gemstone, especially if it was treated at all. You will have to treat different gemstones with different kinds of care. If you use the wrong cleanser because you are uneducated about the gem, you could strip off the treatment and even damage the stone.
Look for sales when you want to buy some new jewelry. If the deal is good, you may be able to save some serious money! Keep your eyes peeled for sales on the Internet, in the paper, and on storefront displays. Purchasing a piece of jewelry that is recently out of style can save you nearly half of what you would have paid originally.
It is possible to remove the knots from jewelry that has become tangled. Before giving up on a tangled knotted mass of precious metal, source some plastic wrap. Place your necklace on the wrap and put baby oil or mineral oil on it. Use a sewing needle to untangle the necklace. When you are done, use soap and water to wash them.
When you are buying jewelery, make sure you know what you are going to use it for. You do not need a huge box of jewelry you will never wear. Bear in mind the contents of your wardrobe before you purchase a piece of jewelry.
A jewelry set makes an excellent present for that special someone. It is usually quite easy to find a jewelry set at a reasonable price, especially during the holidays. There is nothing stopping you from splitting a set after buying it; you can use a set for a series of gifts over multiple holidays, for example. This practice will ensure that you have appealing gifts planned out for a long time in the future.
If jewelry is handled properly, it can be worth a great deal, both in monetary value and in the emotions that are tied up in it. By learning what you need to treat your jewelry, you can protect the money and memories invested in it. There is more to it than what you’ve read here, and continuing to learn can help you mazimize the wear and value of all your jewelry pieces for years to come.