Knowing what jewelry to buy and how to take care of it isn’t something everyone just knows without doing research. Select only useful information instead of applying everything you read about. This article contains some of the best tips available.
Be sure that you store all of your jewelry safely away from air and humidity. Keep your jewelry in a drawstring bag or in a box that is made for jewelry. Metals will become tarnished when exposed to 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.
When you are shopping for jewelry in sterling silver, be sure to examine the piece closely, and take along a magnet for metal testing. When you do this, you become able to find fake pieces of any type of sterling jewelry. You can use the magnet because non-precious metals actually are attracted by magnets. True sterling sliver always has some sort of hallmark stamp on it, such as .925, sterling or ster. If the piece is not hallmarked in any way, be leery of its authenticity because oftentimes it is a sign of a fake.
When you are shopping for diamonds, there are ways to compare the stones. See what you like up close, and then compare it to other pieces that you look at. You must be a sharp consumer to avoid tricks that might make a diamond look better than it really is.
Make sure a piece of jewelry is still in style before you buy it. The one thing that makes a great purchase an outstanding one is getting a bargain on it.
Keep your jewelry from tarnishing as best as you can. Keep your jewelry away from water. This could cause your jewelery to rust or become more dull. A very light coating of clear nail varnish can be applied to some jewelry, and this will add an additional line of protection against the elements.
When buying jewelry, think about what kind of stone would be right. Certain stones will do a better job of complementing your skin tone and your personality than others. Choose neutral colors that will easily match any outfit you decide to wear. It will be of no value to you to purchase jewels that are not easy to incorporate into your lifestyle.
Consider how you should best clean each piece of your jewelry. Not all types of jewelry can be cleaned in the same manner. Each piece is individual in its needs so don’t assume what works well for one piece will work well for all. Consult with a jeweler if you are unsure exactly how to care for your own jewels.
If you are buying jewelry for someone who values her individuality, find a one-of-a-kind piece or commission a piece designed specifically for her. A unique piece to match their personality shows thoughtfulness and creativity, which is exactly what you want to express to a person you care enough about to buy jewelry for.
A brooch will add a little character to your belt. Try pinning it at the center of your waist or near your hip.
Before you purchase a new piece of fine jewelry, think about how you will wear it. Having a lot of never worn jewelry is not necessary. As you shop for jewelry, try to envision whether you can see yourself wearing a piece with your current wardrobe.
Be sure to shop around when buying diamond jewelry. Every diamond is unique and they all have slight imperfections. Once you see some of the flaws in person, they may become less important. Different jewelers may price differently in regard to these flaws. While shopping, first determine your budget and then locate the best diamond you can find that fits in that price range.
Keep your necklaces free of tangles by getting robe hooks to hang them. You can hang a whole row of these small pieces of hardware along a wall or the back of a closet door, then hang your necklaces in groups by color or length. If done right, this will have a nice appearance and prevent the jewelry box tangles necklaces are prone to.
The birthstone for the month of July, popular rubies were once believed to possess magical powers. Rubies have an intriguing range of beautiful shades of red, maroon and rose. They are also extremely durable and can withstand many chemicals and being hit. Their strength and unique beauty make them an excellent choice for most people.
It is hard to determine whether a sapphire or a ruby is natural or synthetic. The artificial rubies and sapphires are chemically the same as the real thing. They cost only a fraction of what the real things cost for suppliers, though. If you’re going to purchase a natural sapphire piece, have it inspected by a gemologist or third-party jeweler for inclusions.
One stone that is often forgotten about is Alexandrite, although it looks beautiful when made into a piece of jewelry. Depending on the surrounding light, an Alexandrite stone will change colors from green to purple. Some of the most common places to find alexandrite are earrings, rings, and pendants.
To make good jewelry choices, you really need to educate yourself on everything from value to quality to care. If you have the knowledge you need ahead of time you’ll need to spend less time learning, therefore you’ll have more time to actually enjoy jewelry. Your jewelry collection will grow beautifully when you keep these tips in mind.