A gift of jewelry is one of the most classic means of telling another person that you love them, are proud of them and that you never want to forget them. No matter the size of the piece, there is nothing more exciting than receiving a piece of jewelry. Read this article to learn some tips about jewelry; whether it be your own or a gift to someone else.
Use a polishing cloth to keep your jewelry clean and free from damage. This is a very easy way to make them shine and not have to use any type of chemicals or solvents. Use a two-sided cloth to simply polish your jewelry as if it were composed of glass. Polish jewelry with one side of the cloth, then flip it over and shine jewelry with the other side.
When you are putting your jewelry away, take care on how it is stored. The right jewelry box that has separate compartments, hooks and holders to keep the pieces apart is the best choice. Jewelry should not be lumped together in a pile. Fragile jewelry could easily be damaged by doing this, not to mention the nuisance of having to untangle necklace chains that could get caught together.
When storing your jewelry, be sure that you store it in a place with low humidity and free of open air. For maximum protection you can choose to store them inside of a small drawstring or a closed jewelry box. All metals will tarnish if they are subjected to too much air and humidity. Precious metal jewelry can be polished to fix tarnish, but non-precious metals coated with a finish will never get back to their previous state.
Sterling Silver
If you are shopping for sterling silver jewelry, you’ll need a magnet and an eye for the real thing. Use the magnet to detect fake jewelry; real silver will not be attracted to the magnet, but the cheaper metals will. Sterling silver should always bear a stamp that says Sterling, Ster. or .925. If there is no hallmark, the piece is probably not authentic and may, indeed, be counterfeit.
When you purchase jewelry, you are investing in an item that will last a lifetime. When selecting jewelry, a reputable jeweler is indispensable to ensuring you get quality items. High-quality jewelry is durable and displays excellent craftsmanship. Ask the jeweler what the origin of the piece is, like the maker and the origin of the stones. When you are looking for jewelry of the highest quality, it is important to be careful in your choice, as you want something that will last a lifetime.
Have shopping companions when you shop for diamonds. Get up close to inspect the diamond carefully. Make a comparison with other pieces you have looked at. However, be mindful that there are fraudulent ways to make the diamond look better than it is.
Prevent your jewelry from tarnishing so that it keeps looking great. Never wear your jewelry when you are going to be near water. Many types of jewelry become dulled or tarnished when they are exposed to water. It is wise to place a single coat of transparent nail lacquer on jewelry in order to protect it.
Costume Jewelry
If you own costume jewelry, it is important to properly care for it. Collecting costume jewelry can get expensive, but it is also an investment worth your time, so avoid any pieces that have too many flaws. Costume pieces kept in great condition will enhance your collection much more over time.
Before you buy, ask if the gemstone has been treated, and the method for doing so. Care for your gemstone is different, depending on how it was previously treated. You do not want to try to clean a treated gem with a solution that may strip the treatment and damage the gem in the process.
Take extra care when you are untangling necklaces. It’s easy to get frustrated with tangled necklaces, but saran wrap can come to the rescue. Put the tangled necklace onto the plastic wrap, then pour a little mineral oil or baby oil onto the piece. Untangle it with some needles. Then wash off the baby oil or mineral oil with dish soap, and then pat dry.
As previously discussed, jewelry can be an ideal gift for more than one occasion. Small pieces of jewelry can be very sentimental. There are also things you need to know about maintaining your own jewelry, as well. No matter what, follow these suggestions to get more joy from jewelry.