Because jewelry is personal, it’s prized as a token of love, pride and accomplishment. No matter the size of the piece, there is nothing more exciting than receiving a piece of jewelry. The following article will give you some insight about jewelry, whether you are thinking of buying some as a gift or purchasing a special piece for yourself.
When storing your jewelry, be sure that you store it in a place with low humidity and free of open air. It’s best to store it in a closed box, like a jewelry box, or a drawstring bag. Precious, as well as non-precious metals, will tarnish if they are exposed to humidity and air over time. Precious metals can easily be polished, but non-precious metal needs a special polish.
Sterling Silver
When shopping for genuine sterling silver jewelry, you need both a discerning eye and a small magnet. Precious metals, like sterling silver, will not be attracted to the magnet. 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 buy jewelry, it should last the rest of your life. Always purchase pieces from reputable jewelers in order to make sure you are getting quality pieces. High-quality jewelry can be told by its superior craftsmanship and good manufacture. A credible jeweler should offer a complete history of the piece, including information about the creator and the source of the gemstones. When you chose a high-quality piece, you know your jewelry will last forever.
To keep your jewelry looking clean, only put it on after your make-up is applied and set. Jewelry can become dirty and dull if you put it on too early, this is because incomplete makeup routines will transfer grime to it. It is especially important to follow this tip for necklaces and earrings.
Find out if your gemstone was treated before you buy it and if it was, how it was treated. 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. Believe it or not, you can use plastic wrap to untangle jewelry. After placing the necklace on the wrap, coat it with mineral or baby oil. Untangle it with some needles. Wash it gently with a bit of dish soap and then pat it dry.
The size of the diamond is not as important as its cut and clarity. Also, keep in mind the personality of the person you are giving the diamond to.
Wearing jewelry during spa and recreational activities is not recommended. Because of the high temperature and moisture in saunas, they can cause serious damage to your jewelry.
Don’t swim wearing your jewelry. Swimming pools contain chlorine, which can age many types of jewelry prematurely. Over time, salt water can also cause damage. If you want your jewelry to remain pristine, always remember to remove it before getting into the water.
To keep your necklaces tangle-free, look for pretty, embellished robe hooks. They can be hung anywhere, like a closet door, and give you the ability to organize your necklaces by size or color if you want. If done right, this will have a nice appearance and prevent the jewelry box tangles necklaces are prone to.
These days of sky-high gold prices makes buying gold jewelry an expensive proposition. If you’re not willing to settle for anything less than gold, by being willing to compromise on karats, you can save some money. Gold that is deemed 18 karats contains at least 75 percent pure gold, and many consider this to be the best quality and value for the price.
As commented above, jewelry is the perfect gift for so many occasions. Even smaller, delicate pieces make special gifts that touch the recipient. Even the jewelry you buy and own for yourself will benefit when you learn more about selecting and caring for it. Nevertheless, use the advice described in this article if you want to increase the joy that you get from your jewelry.