There are so many different types of jewelry that have been developed over time. Here’s where you can start learning about jewelry and start choosing pieces that you’ll enjoy for a long time to come.
Don’t use acetone, bleach, ammonia or turpentine to clean copper. This could cause the stone to change color or become dull in appearance, and it may eat away at the enamel on the piece.
The metals in jewelry can tarnish if exposed to humid air, so you will want to store them in a way that protects them. Keep your jewelry in a drawstring bag or in a box that is made for jewelry. All metals will tarnish if they are subjected to too much air and humidity. You will be able to polish precious metals to remove tarnish, but non-precious metals may lose their coating, showing the copper metal beneath.
Sterling Silver
When you are shopping for jewelry in sterling silver, be sure to examine the piece closely, and take along a magnet for metal testing. You can tell if a piece of silver is sterling or not by using a magnet. Sterling will not react to the magnet, but non-precious metals will be attracted. You can recognize sterling silver by stamps that say ‘.925’ or ‘ster’. If you don’t see a stamp of any sort on a piece, then be wary of whether it is actually silver or not.
Before you think about picking up new jewelry, check into what the latest trends are to get a sense of what’s of value. The only thing that can make picking out a fantastic piece of jewelry better is if you get it at a discount.
If you buy jewelry from a jewelry store, ask if they offer insurance. If something happened to your jewelery, you can take it back and see if they will fix it! For more expensive pieces, look for a jeweler that offers insurance for lost or stolen items.
Test it out by wearing it yourself; you don’t want to give a piece that will be uncomfortable or awkward for the recipient. You will also have the knowledge that the piece is not going to fall apart the first time the receiver wears it.
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.
If you are in the market for jewelry, always seek out sales. Finding a store offering extreme markdowns is a way to realize tremendous savings. Check the newspaper, the Internet, and signs in store windows to find the best sales. Sometimes, buying fashions that are out of style can save you more than half of their original price.
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. As you shop for jewelry, try to envision whether you can see yourself wearing a piece with your current wardrobe.
Buying jewelry sets can be less expensive than purchasing separate pieces of the same value. Most jewelers offer special deals on jewelry when it is bought in sets, rather than each piece individually. You do not have to give your loved one the entire set at once. You can present him or her with one piece as each occasion comes around. By doing this, you’ll always have a gift ready and you know they’ll like it.
You need a good clasp for any necklaces and bracelets. You risk losing an expensive or sentimental chain or gemstone pendant if the clasp is too loose. If you have expensive or heirloom items, invest in a safety clasp. For very expensive items, some consumers choose to increase security with an additional clasp or two.
Don’t buy a piece of jewelry based solely on the brand. You’ll probably pay too much since a jeweler will be aware that you are probably buying the name and not the piece. Besides, many “regular” people won’t even recognize the brand when you wear it. There are many different manufacturers, that make high quality jewelry, without the huge markup for the brand name.
Making and selling your own jewelry can be an exciting and lucrative hobby, but you simply must have an attractive, eye-catching way to display your wares. When you are making a jewelery piece keep in mind how you will be displaying it. All types of things, such as baskets, cigar boxes and racks can turn into incredible jewelry display cases by adding some creativity.
The birthstone for the month of July, popular rubies were once believed to possess magical powers. While the rubies most are familiar with have deep red color, rubies also come in a variety of shades ranging from deep rose to almost maroon. They can handle a lot of abuse and are not as affected by chemicals as other jewels. For a gemstone that is as beautiful as it is strong and storied, rubies cannot be beat.
To clean a gem or bauble in a setting, use a damp cloth and be very gentle with the piece. Dry the piece by rubbing it gently with a soft cloth. Don’t use steam cleaners or harsh chemicals on costume or fashion jewelry.
To get a brilliant and big diamond effect, you should choose an illusion setting. This setting has a mirrored plate upon the ring prior to the diamond being set. The diamond will appear larger because it is reflecting in the mirror. Repairing illusion settings, though, can be more costly.
When you are selecting a piece of jewelry to complement your outfit, you need to consider what you want your jewelry to do. Are you going to emphasize the jewelry or the outfit? Do you want to focus people’s eyes on the jewelry, or have it simply accentuate what you are wearing?
The tips above will guide you in your quest for the jewelry that works with your tastes and budget. There are many different jewelry styles from which to choose, and it can be overwhelming. Hopefully, the facts given by this article will help.
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