Jewelry is very personal. Every one has their own thoughts and preferences when it comes to what they buy and wear. There are still some general rules of thumb, though, that can help you when it comes to choosing jewelry. Here are a few tips to help you on your way.
You should always store your jewelry very carefully. Boxes, holders, compartments, and hooks are all valuable tools for storing jewelry safely. Resist the urge to jumble all your pieces together in one box or basket. Not only can it damage finer, fragile pieces, but it can also make a tangled mess out of chains.
If you’re trying to buy a diamond on a budget, look for one that has slight inclusions and is a less than perfect color of white. Often times, you cannot even see the inclusions and “off” color with the naked eye, but it can save you hundreds or thousands on the price of the stone.
If you are not too fond of wearing a wedding or engagement ring on your finger, you can always put it on a chain. This is a safe way to ensure your ring will not fall off. Also, by putting your ring on a chain, it will not be in the way of your daily activities.
To open a jump link when making chain jewelry, hold the jump link steady with pliers your left hand, and grip the opposite side of the opening with pliers in your right. Gently twist your hands towards each other. This twisting action helps the jump ring maintain its circular shape without distortion, which will occur if you try to push the sides together without twisting.
When purchasing high price jewelry, check with multiple stores and even online before buying. Comparison shopping is important because the price of jewelry can vary extensively from vendor to vendor. Comparison shopping also helps you to learn about the quality of the beautiful piece you’re hoping to purchase.
Clean your turquoise jewelry with warm water and a soft toothbrush. Never use chemicals on turquoise, as it is very susceptible to damage. Simply lightly scrubbing it and drying it with a soft dry cloth can keep your turquoise clean and undamaged, allowing it to last much longer than if you were to use any solutions.
When you are giving a piece of jewelry to a significant other, you must do detective work as soon as you have an idea of the type of jewelry you will purchase. The real challenge is finding out exactly what that piece of jewelry should be. You should try to notice what kind of jewelry your significant other wears to get an idea of the piece of jewelry you should purchase.
Buying used jewelry is an option to consider, as well. Used jewelry can be found in consignment and pawn stores, art galleries, estate sales, jewelers, or in some cases, yard sales. Before you consider used jewelry, research the type of piece you think you are looking for, so that when you see it at one of these places, you will be able to determine if the item is indeed legitimate or just a reproduction.
You don’t have to buy expensive cleaning solutions to clean your jewelry. Warm water and a few drops of dish-washing liquid is sufficient for cleaning gold, diamonds, and most gemstones. Harsh chemicals can damage the finish of your jewelry.
In jewelry, what works for your neighbor may not work for you. You have to truly get a feel for what you want and what you can afford. Learning more about jewelry is a great first step into obtaining the types of pieces that will fit in your world. Hopefully, you feel a little more confident now, to go out and buy some baubles.