There is no such thing as being too informed about jewelry. Even a seemingly trivial mistake could cost hundreds or thousands of dollars. Following are some sensible tips regarding the issue. This information can guide you in selecting and caring for jewelry pieces, and help you avoid some common pitfalls.
Don’t use things that contain harsh chemicals like bleach, ammonia, acetone or turpentine, to clean your jewelry. This can cause the stones to lose their luster in addition to eating away the enamel on any of the pieces.
Jewelry should last a life-time. Always purchase pieces from reputable jewelers in order to make sure you are getting quality pieces. If a piece of jewelry is of high quality, it should be made well and exhibit top-flight craftsmanship. The jeweler must be able to provide a history of the piece. This will tell you who made the piece, and where the components came from. This way, you can ensure you are paying a fair price. Take your time when selecting a high-quality piece if you want it to last you for a long time.
Going through a day wearing the jewelry will let you get familiar with how it hangs and whether or not it will be comfortable. This will also let you know how the piece holds up in every day environments.
Costume Jewelry
You need to pay special attention when caring for costume jewelry. Costume jewelry is often put together using glue and other adhesives, unlike stoned that are set using metal. Take care not to use chemicals or lots of water in an attempt to clean your costume jewelry. It’s most beneficial to use a damp warm cloth to gently wipe, then use another cloth to dry. This will clean off any residue and make it look like new, without damaging it.
When you are buying jewelery for someone who is very different or eccentric, try going to a jeweler that will make you a piece that will fit their personality and add to their flair! This shows that you are both thoughtful and creative, traits that someone who would want a unique piece of jewelry is likely to value.
A brooch can add visual interest and an accent to an otherwise dull belt. You can pin in at the front-center of the belt or near the hip.
Wait until after your makeup is complete and set before putting on jewelry. The dust, oils and particles from makeup rub off on jewelry; putting on jewels first means they will get dingy and dull with a film of makeup over them. This applies to necklaces and earrings more than anything else.
Before you buy, ask if the gemstone has been treated, and the method for doing so. You will need to know what type of care it might require as a result of the treatment. If your gem was treated you have to find out how to clean it properly.
Get the tangles out of a delicate necklace that’s in a knot. You can easily give up on a knotted mass of metal, but instead grab some plastic wrap. Place the tangled pieces on this plastic with some mineral or baby oil. Use a straight pin to untangle the knot. Once it’s untangled, use dish soap to wash the necklace and pat it dry.
This includes steam and dry saunas. The high levels of moisture and heat are very damaging to the jewelry.
You should never wear your jewelry while swimming. The chlorine in pool water will corrode your jewelry and remove its shine. Salt water is just as bad as chlorinated water. To safeguard your valuable jewelry, set it aside in a safe place before you go in for a swim.
Brand should not be the only consideration when purchasing jewelry. You will often pay more for name brand jewelry, and it is unlikely that others will recognize the name associated with your new piece of jewelry unless you tell them. There are a number of different brands that manufacture high-quality jewelry.
Of course, higher gold prices also increases the cost for new gold jewelry. You can have gold pieces at a lower price by buying gold that contains fewer karats. The best deal you will usually find is a piece of 18 karat gold, which is at least 75% pure gold.
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.