Jewelry can be confusing, no matter if you have inherited the jewelry or received it as a gift. Where do you begin to look for information on this praiseworthy human tradition? This article includes tips written to make you a more informed customer.
Make sure you organize your jewelry properly. It is recommended to separate the items stored by using compartments, boxes, holders and hooks. Avoiding piling your nice jewelry pieces into one big heap in a box. Not only will your necklaces become hopelessly tangled, you risk harming any fragile pieces as they bump and scrape against each other as you search the box.
Precious Metal
Keep jewelry stored safely and away from both air and humidity. For maximum protection you can choose to store them inside of a small drawstring or a closed jewelry box. Humidity quickly tarnishes both precious and non-precious metal. Precious metals can easily be polished, but non-precious metal needs a special polish.
Take a magnet and a keen eye with you when you head out to purchase any jewelry made from sterling silver. Imitations will be attracted to your magnet. This is an easy way to recognize quality. Sterling silver will always be hallmarked with a stamp such as .925, ster. or sterling. If the piece you’re inspecting doesn’t carry such a mark, be careful, as it is likely a fake.
Always be aware of the type of stone you’re buying when dealing with gems. Natural gems and imitation gems have been joined recently by synthetic gems, making three main categories. Natural stones and synthetic gems are both real, but imitation gems are probably just colored glass or plastic. While natural gems come out of mines, synthetic ones come out of laboratories.
Costume Jewelry
Collecting costume jewelry is a popular pastime, but if you wish to participate, be careful of the condition of the jewelry. Costume jewelry can prove to be a good investment, but also a costly one; keep in mind the pieces you wish to add to your collection don’t show too much wear. Make sure you have a piece that is in excellent condition, because this will be a lot more fruitful for you down the road.
There are a lot of different types of stones to think about getting when buying new jewelry. Choose a stone that reflects both your personality, skin tone and lifestyle. Neutral colors are very versatile, as they match well with any outfit. As long as you’re spending money, it makes more sense to purchase something that is functional as well as beautiful.
You should always make an effort to properly care for all of your jewelry. Every metal, setting, and stone has different requirements when it comes to care. What can be beneficial to one type of stone can actually cause harm to another. Ask a jeweler when you do not know how to take care of your jewelry.
A brooch will accent your belt and will instantly add visual interest. To add a twist to tradition, place the brooch at your hip.
To maintain the shine and finish on your jewelry, do not put it on until you’ve done your hair and makeup. Your jewelry attracts dust and particles from cosmetics; if you apply makeup after you put on your jewelry, the particles will make it look dull. Earrings and necklaces are especially prone to this kind of contamination.
As you now know, jewelry has a variety of components to it. However, if you conduct your research properly, you can ensure that the pieces you purchase are of the highest quality, and that the way you care for them will keep them beautiful for many years to come. Welcome to the exciting world of jewelry! Use these guidelines as soon as possible to ensure that you get off to a good start.