A good piece of jewelry can mean a great deal to you. It can be a beautiful accessory, a beloved memento or even a durable investment. Sometimes it takes a little learning to get the most out of your jewelry, though. These tips can point you in the right direction for buying, selecting and maintaining really excellent jewelry.
Many people see jewelry labeled as sterling silver plated and oftentimes think they’ve hit the jackpot when they purchase it at a very low price. In this case unfortunately, you do get what you pay for. This type of jewelry only contains a very thin coating of sterling silver on top of a cheap metal which can usually be identified as copper. The jewelry will eventually tarnish and cause the copper to show through underneath with enough wear.
If you have metal allergies, make sure to purchase nickel free jewelry. Nickel is a common alloy that is mixed in with precious metals such as sterling silver to make them more pliable. Silver itself is very liquid in its original state and therefore not substantial enough to be properly molded into jewelry. Oftentimes, another alloy such as nickel is added. Make sure you check what you are purchasing to make sure it is nickel free.
Always be aware of the type of stone you’re buying when dealing with gems. Gemstones now come in natural as well as synthetic and imitation types. Natural gems and synthetic gems are real gemstones, whereas imitation is just an item of plastic with gemstone colors. Natural stones are mined, and synthetic stones are created in a laboratory.
When trying to shop for diamonds, make sure to take your time. Diamonds, unlike things like computers and cars, will not go bad on you. They should last a lifetime. Also, for the price ranges that these stones run, you should not buy them on impulse. Take your time and create the special piece for you or someone you care about.
When buying jewelry for someone you love, find out what they’re favorite color is. Some people don’t like gold, or don’t like silver, or maybe they love the combination of red and gold. Look at the jewelry the person already wears, find out their favorite color, then combine the two!
To keep your jewelry in top condition, never wear it to sleep. When you sleep, your body produces a lot of sweat and gives off a lot of heat, both of which can cause serious damage to jewelry. Sweat can cause it to tarnish or rust, while the heat can cause soft metals to deform.
When making or gifting jewelry, make each piece even more meaningful by selecting stones, beads, and colors that communicate different emotions. Green gems like jade and emeralds represent growth and vitality, which makes them ideal gifts for expectant mothers, newlyweds, or perhaps friends who are especially active in eco-friendly lifestyles and initiatives.
If your crystals have dirt in hard to reach places, you should soak your jewelry in warm water with mild detergent. Then you should use a toothbrush to carefully scrub your jewelry off. This process will safely get rid of dirt on the outside of your jewelry, without damaging your precious crystals.
Hopefully, the information in this article has expanded your jewelry knowledge a bit. Almost every piece of jewelry is a potential treasure, but you will treasure your jewelry that much more if you have the savvy to treat it wisely. You can save money, make intelligent selections and enjoy longer-lasting jewelry if you take the time to educate yourself on the subject.