Jewelry can get confusing whether you bought it yourself, received it as a gift, or inherited a piece. Where can you get more knowledge on this traditional art form? This article outlines many useful hints you can use to be more educated about jewelry.
Take a polishing cloth to each piece of jewelry in your collection. It will allow you to make your jewelry look as good as new without the use of chemicals. You use the special cloth to polish your jewelry just like you would polish your silverware. First you should use the polish side, then use the shining side to really make your jewelry look stunning!
Harsh chemicals and solvents can damage the finish of your jewelry and should never be used to clean it. This could cause the stone to change color or become dull in appearance, and it may eat away at the enamel on the piece.
Be sure that you store all of your jewelry safely away from air and humidity. Ideally, you should keep them in drawstring bags or in a jewelry box. Certain metals will be tarnished when exposed to humidity or air. Precious metals are able to be polished and retain their luster, but the non-precious metals have a coat, and polishing will cause the metal under it to show through.
You should expect good jewelry to last the rest of your life, and possibly beyond. When purchasing your next jewelry item, focus on buying a quality, well-made piece. Jewelry should display exemplary craftsmanship and be well-made. A credible jeweler should offer a complete history of the piece, including information about the creator and the source of the gemstones. 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.
Keep your jewelry from getting tarnished to preserve its best appearance. When you are close to water, do not wear your jewelry. Some metals will tarnish, dull or rust when exposed to water or perspiration. Clear nail polish can be used to protect your jewelry if you apply a very thin coat of it on your pieces.
Consider how you should best clean each piece of your jewelry. Various settings, types of metals, and gemstones need different types of care to protect them and make sure they get cleaned properly. A jewelry cleaner that is safe for one type of gemstone may damage another kind. Speak with a knowlegeable jeweler if you do not know the best way to take care of your jewels.
Costume Jewelry
Costume jewelry has different, specific care requirements. Many pieces of costume jewelry have the stones glued on, for example. Avoid using harsh chemicals on these pieces, and do not immerse them. Use a gentle cloth, like microfiber, to clean it. One wet, then another, dry. This keeps dirt from building up and making your jewelry look dull.
If you are getting jewelry for someone you consider to be one-of-a-kind, think about buying a piece that’s the same: unique and specially-crafted. Purchasing a unique piece that matches his or her personality demonstrates how thoughtful and creative you are. This is what you should be expressing to someone you love enough to purchase jewelry for.
You should try to find out whether a gemstone was treated prior to purchasing it. If it was treated, you should discover the way it was treated. Different treatments require different types of care. You want to avoid putting a solution on jewelry that has been treated, particularly if you do not know whether or not it will hurt the piece.
Plastic Wrap
Untangle your knotted messes of delicate chains and necklaces. Before giving up on a tangled knotted mass of precious metal, source some plastic wrap. Apply baby oil or mineral oil to your necklace after placing it on the plastic wrap. Gently untangle the knots with needles. Wash with dish soap and pat dry.
Think about the outfits you will wear it with when you buy a piece of jewelry. What’s the fun in buying jewelry you never actually wear? Think about your most-worn wardrobe pieces when choosing jewelry.
If you are looking for jewelry as a gift, consider a set rather than an individual piece. Jewelry stores often offer remarkable deals on jewelry sets. You can make it fun and split the set up to give them parts of the set on each holiday as they come. That way you will never have to worry about what to get that person.
To state it again, there is a lot of information available on the topic of jewelry. That said, if you read carefully and know what you are buying, you can pick only the best pieces and care for them properly. Welcome to the colorful, powerful and rewarding world of jewelry and adornments! These tips should prove useful for your journey.
About The Author
