Whether your purchase jewelry for friends, inherit valuable pieces or receive jewelry as a gift, it is important that you are aware of the best buying, selling and cleaning jewelry practices. This article will provide you with some key tips on how to best shop for jewelry.
Clean all of your jewelry with a polishing cloth. This is an easy way to get shine without chemicals and solvents. Use the dual-sided cloth to gently buff your jewelry as you would a delicate glass. One side is designed to polish, and the other is used to make the piece shine.
Harsh chemicals and solvents can damage the finish of your jewelry and should never be used to clean it. Using them may result in damage to your jewelry, may cause dulling of gemstones, and may erode enamel work.
Sterling Silver
Arm yourself with a magnet and a magnifying glass when shopping for sterling silver jewelry. Precious metals, like sterling silver, will not be attracted to the magnet. True sterling silver will also have a mark on it to indicate its quality, such as “.925” or “ster”. If there is no hallmark, watch its authenticity since it may be fake.
Observe them and see what jewelry pieces the happen to be wearing, such as necklaces, earrings, or rings. Also take note of any metals or stones they seem to prefer. These types of observations will provide a starting point to purchase an item they’ll cherish.
Check out the latest trends in jewelry before you pick up a new piece. It is better to get a gorgeous bauble on sale!
If you can prevent your jewelry from tarnishing, it will surely look much more attractive. Keep your jewelry away from water. Some metals will tarnish, dull or rust when exposed to water or perspiration. It is wise to place a single coat of transparent nail lacquer on jewelry in order to protect it.
Wear the jewelry around for a day or so to be sure that it fits right and is comfortable. Doing this also helps you see if the jewelery is long lasting or likely to break easily.
Pay attention to the quality and type of gemstones in a piece when you’re looking at buying new jewelry. Try to select stones that are an extension of your individuality and that enhance the tone of your skin. Also think about what color clothing you wear often, and chose a neutral color that will match many of the outfits in your closet. It will be of no value to you to purchase jewels that are not easy to incorporate into your lifestyle.
Costume Jewelry
Costume jewelry needs special care. Many of the components of costume jewelry are glued into their settings rather than held in with prongs or other more permanent methods. Keep your costume jewelery away from water or chemicals. It’s most beneficial to use a damp warm cloth to gently wipe, then use another cloth to dry. Doing so will keep your jewelry looking its best for life.
By wearing a brooch, your belt will be accented and look more interesting. The best places to pin the brooch for maximum visual impact are the middle of your waist and at hip line.
Plastic Wrap
Take extra care when you are untangling necklaces. If you are about to give up, get some baby oil and plastic wrap. Put the necklace on the plastic wrap and add a little mineral oil or baby oil. Do the untangling yourself with a pair of needles. Clean with warm, soapy water and gently pat dry.
Before buying any jewelry, think about what you will use it for. A large jewelry box full of items you never use isn’t a wise investment. When choosing a piece of jewelry, take into account what you will be wearing it with.
A small but well-cut diamond with high clarity can look nicer than a bigger diamond of lower quality. It’s also important to consider the personality of whomever is to receive the diamond.
Keep your necklaces free of tangles by getting robe hooks to hang them. Create an instant necklace storage area by mounting a row of these hooks on a closet wall. If done right, this will have a nice appearance and prevent the jewelry box tangles necklaces are prone to.
Jewelry that has been cared for properly retains its sentimental and economic value. If you know how to properly care for your jewelery, you will be taking care of memories you will have for many years. When you educate yourself on everything there is to know about jewelry you learn what it takes to get the most from your jewelry.
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