Do your clothes long to be accessorized? Do they cry out for the wonderful accents that jewelry can provide? Or perhaps a jewelry piece as a friend’s present? It is hoped then that you will find this article of handy hints, quite useful.
The use of polishing cloths are helpful in cleaning your jewelry. It will allow you to make your jewelry look as good as new without the use of chemicals. Just polish each piece with the special cloth in the same way you would polish a piece of glass. First, use the polishing side to polish it up, then use the other side to shine it.
Do not use harsh chemicals such as ammonia, bleach, turpentine or acetone to clean them. This can dull your stones and eat away their enamel.
Keep your jewelry stored somewhere that is free from humidity or air. It’s best to store it in a closed box, like a jewelry box, or a drawstring bag. When non-precious and precious metals are expose to air and humidity, they tend to tarnish. Silver polishes work well to remove tarnish, but certain metals, such as bronze, may not polish well. The polish may remove the surface coating and then the metal underneath, such as copper, becomes visible.
If you are in the market to buy some silver jewelry, don’t forget to take a magnet along with you. Magnets attract non-precious metals, and you can use this fact to detect fakes. In addition, sterling silver pieces are always stamped with silver hallmarks indicating such factors as the degree of purity, the manufacturer’s symbol, and the date of manufacture. Some of the most common hallmarks are “925, “ster,” “sterling,” and “sterling silver.” If the item has no markings indicating its authenticity, then be wary.
You need to pay attention to care and maintenance if you intend to build up a costume jewelry collection. Costume jewelry is pricey and can retain its value in many cases, but pieces that are damaged aren’t worth much and aren’t worth the time to restore. Maintaining a piece of costume jewelry’s condition preserves the beauty and value that attracted you in the first place.
Wear the jewelry around for a day or so to be sure that it fits right and is comfortable. You will also find out if your creation is durable enough.
See if your gem has had any treatments prior to buying, and if so, which treatments. You will have to treat different gemstones with different kinds of care. Some cleaning solutions that work perfectly well on untreated gems can strip off treatments, and even damage stones, if you use them on treated gems.
That includes dry or steam saunas. Extreme moisture and heat can seriously damage the piece.
Know your options when shopping for diamonds. Each diamond is unique with its own individual flaws. Seeing a diamond in person will help you determine whether you can accept a given imperfection. Jewelers can price their diamonds differently according to the flaws in the diamonds. To find a good diamond within your budget, really do your homework and shop around.
Any piece of jewelry that wraps around and attaches, such as a necklace or a bracelet, absolutely must have a quality clasp. Without something that is solid, your chain, pendants and costly stones could be lost. For very expensive items, like diamond necklaces or gold bracelets, a strong clasp is essential. Some people may even choose to put a second or third clasp on their priceless pieces to keep them safe while wearing them.
Always remove your jewelry before swimming. Chlorine is a very strong and harsh chemical that can damage and dull your precious pieces. The salt in seawater will result in the same effect. To extend the life of your jewelry, and protect the beauty, take off all jewelry before going into the water.
To keep your necklaces tangle-free, look for pretty, embellished robe hooks. With the right space, you can incorporate a row of these and use them for organizing and hanging necklaces easily. This keeps your necklaces from balling into a knotty cluster in the jewelry box, and it looks lovely, too.
Don’t buy a piece of jewelry based solely on the brand. Almost no one will be able to identify the maker of your jewelry. Don’t be persuaded to pay more for a piece of jewelry simply because of its brand name. There are thousands of gorgeous styles available that happen to carry a more reasonable price tag.
If you are truly desirous of an elegant piece of jewelry, high gold prices may be a hindrance to you. Karat selection is a way to reduce the price of your gold jewelry. Eighteen karats means the piece contains seventy-five percent of gold: this remains affordable and looks like a luxury item.
This isn’t exactly a great way to clean silver jewelry. It works if you’re desperate, though. Begin by using a cloth that is soft and free of lint, or a paper towel in a pinch. Put a small dollop of toothpaste on it. Rub the tarnished jewelry with the paste, and then rinse or wipe off with water. Your piece will not look brand new, but you should still notice an improvement.
Since you now have an abundance of useful information, you can apply what you have learned to your ventures into the world of jewelry. Purchasing a some good quality jewelry is an investment you will appreciate for years to come.