There is no such thing as being too informed about jewelry. If you make a mistake it can cost you a lot of money. Here are some great tips about jewelry. Here’s where you can learn about how to choose and take care of jewelry, and avoid making costly mistakes.
Get a polishing cloth for your jewelery. This easy technique can make your jewelry bright and shiny without the use of harsh solvents and chemicals. Simply use the two-sided polishing cloth to polish your jewelry the same way you would polish a glass. First use the polishing side, and finish with the other side to make it shine.
For example, you should never use bleach, turpentine, or ammonia on your jewelry. These can erode both the color and the materials of your jewelry.
Sterling Silver
Arm yourself with a magnet and a magnifying glass when shopping for sterling silver jewelry. Imitations will be attracted to your magnet. This is an easy way to recognize quality. You can recognize sterling silver by stamps that say ‘.925’ or ‘ster’. If the piece that you are looking at is not hallmarked, this is usually the sign that it is a fake.
Always be aware of the type of stone you’re buying when dealing with gems. The three types are imitation, synthetic and natural. Natural stones and synthetic gems are both real, but imitation gems are probably just colored glass or plastic. Natural stones are found in mines, while synthetic stones are produced by machines.
To keep your jewelry looking great, take steps to prevent it from tarnish. One of the best ways to keep your jewelry looking beautiful is to avoid wearing it in water. Lots of jewelry materials are dulled or tarnished by water exposure. Apply clear nail polish to your jewelery as an added protection.
Costume Jewelry
You should ensure the quality of the pieces of costume jewelry that you purchase for your collection. Costume jewelry can prove to be a good investment, but worn, broken, or otherwise damaged pieces are not worth the expense. A piece that is free of any defects or wear not only looks better, but is also a better investment.
Know how to keep your jewelry beautiful. Various settings, types of metals, and gemstones need different types of care to protect them and make sure they get cleaned properly. A technique that is effective for one type of stone or metal may actually cause damage to another. Speak with a knowlegeable jeweler if you do not know the best way to take care of your jewels.
Plastic Wrap
Be careful when untangling your delicate necklaces. Do not give up, but instead get a piece of plastic wrap. Put the tangled necklace onto the plastic wrap, then pour a little mineral oil or baby oil onto the piece. You can use needles to unravel them. Use a mild liquid soap to remove the oil and then pat dry with a towel.
Dry saunas and steam rooms can cause damage to jewelry. The high levels of moisture and heat are very damaging to the jewelry.
Take your jewelry off before you go swimming. Chlorine is a very strong and harsh chemical that can damage and dull your precious pieces. Saltwater is equally damaging to your precious jewels. By taking your jewelry off of your body before swimming, you will be protecting it from the harsh chlorine and salt.
You may not have to sell your gold jewelry to get money out of your necklaces and bracelets. Merely cut a few extra inches off the piece, and sell the excess; you can still own and wear the rest. By clipping a little off of several chains you can make several hundred dollars.
Well, it’s easy when you know how. This article has just touched on a few of things that you should know about this very rewarding hobby. There is much to learn, but at least you’ve now got a few good ideas to put to work.