Jewelry is a wonderful way to express feelings, whether it be to celebrate an achievement, or to show your love and pride. Even a small piece of jewelry can get a wonderful reaction and will be cherished for years to come. This article will give you information you need to know when purchasing jewelry, whether if is for yourself or someone else.
Keep your whole jewelry collection sparkling with a polishing cloth. This helps keep your jewelry shiny without the need for chemical cleansers, which can damage the pieces. You use the special cloth to polish your jewelry just like you would polish your silverware. Use one side to shine it and the other to polish it.
Don’t use harsh chemicals like turpentine or bleach to clean jewelry. Chemicals can eat away the stones or enamel on your stones.
Be sure that you store all of your jewelry safely away from air and humidity. To ensure it is protected, keep your jewelry in a drawstring bag or a jewelry box that is closed. Being submitted to extreme humidity and temperature can cause your pieces to tarnish. It’s possible to restore precious metals through polishing, but lesser-quality metals may suffer permanent damage.
Sterling Silver
A magnet is a useful tool when shopping for jewelry in sterling silver. Take the magnet with you to find fake pieces of jewelery, sterling silver will not stick to the magnet. True sterling sliver always has some sort of hallmark stamp on it, such as .925, sterling or ster. If the item has no markings indicating its authenticity, then be wary.
When you are shopping for a diamond, make sure to shop around and compare. View the piece you are currently considering closely and then compare it against some other pieces that are in the running. Be careful of tricks that jewelers use to make a diamond look bigger or better.
Look at what they are wearing now. Do they like hoops or studs? Does the person prefer chokers or loose fitting necklaces? Knowing their preferences will be an invaluable guide when you go out to buy them a special item of jewelry.
If you want to start a costume jewelry collection, it is important to be aware of the pieces’ condition. Costume jewelry, while expensive, can be a great investment. However, if a piece shows wear it will lose value. Compare pieces for quality, because good ones stay high or even grow in value over time.
This applies to dry and steam-filled saunas. The high temperatures and damp environment can corrode the surface of your jewelry and cause long-term damage to the piece.
Jewelry sets are a great gift item to consider. It is not uncommon for jewelers to offer special discounts on matched sets. Give away one piece at a time to different people throughout the years. This way you can have a gift ready for someone months in advance and know that they will like it.
Resist the temptation to pay more for jewelry because of a supposedly high-class brand. There are probably not going to be many people that recognize that the piece is anything special due to the brand, and you are likely going to pay far too much money for it. Many brands offer excellent quality.
You will want to purchase jewelry that will have an extended lifespan if you are spending a great deal of money. Quality pieces are often accompanied by a hefty price tag, but you should also carefully consider style and trends. A modern cut may look wonderful with your style now but clash terribly with your timeless investment pieces several years down the line. Decide on timeless pieces that will stay in fashion.
The increasing cost of purchasing gold can be a hindrance to owning that piece you really desire. If you must have a gold bracelet or ring, consider looking at a piece with fewer karats in order to spend less money. Many people believe that 75 percent pure gold is the most ideal ratio of price and quality. This grade is commonly referred to as 18 karats.
When you accessorize simple clothes, mix in large, ornate jewelry. Wear a solid color or the “little black dress” to highlight interesting pieces.
The key to selling jewelery in craft shows or holiday sales is to display it in a way that attracts attention to the pieces. While shopping for beads, stones and other jewelry findings, try to visualize a creative display fixture. 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. Rubies range from a soft pinkish-red to a deep romantic shade of red. In addition, they’re very durable and can resist various chemicals. Their strength and unique beauty make them an excellent choice for most people.
Proper care of your setting requires you to gently wipe the piece with a damp cloth. After a gentle cleaning, take out a soft cloth and dry the piece completely. Avoid exposing your costume jewelry to steam cleaners or chemicals.
If you want to use necklaces you used when you were a child without looking immature or outdated, try pairing them with bigger and modern pieces. A small pendant, perhaps a cross or heart, can add a touch of greater meaning when layered with other more modern necklaces.
Illusion settings are a great way to get more bang out of a diamond. An illusion setting is when a mirrored plate is placed on the ring before setting the diamond. This will exaggerate the diamond’s sparkle and size when it is on the hand. However, keep in mind that repairing this type of ring can be difficult.
As was already stated, jewelry makes the ideal gift for many reasons. It will mean so much to the person receiving it, even if it is the smallest piece. Of course, there are things you also need to know to maintain the jewelry you have yourself. Use these suggestions to find better pleasures in jewelery.