Regardless of how you obtained your new piece of jewelry, sometimes understanding all you need to know about it can be confusing. Jewelry has been an important part of the human condition for so long, but where can you even start looking for the right things to learn about it? This article will address a few pieces of advice that will help you be a better educated consumer of jewelry.
Try using a simple polishing cloth on your jewelery collection. This is an easy way to get shine without chemicals and solvents. Use the dual-sided cloth to gently buff your jewelry as you would a delicate glass. First, use the polishing side to polish it up, then use the other side to shine it.
Harsh chemicals and solvents can damage the finish of your jewelry and should never be used to clean it. This can dull your stones and eat away their enamel.
Separate your jewelry for storage to avoid getting pieces tangled. Using boxes, hooks, holders, and compartments is very effective for ensuring the pieces stay separated. You should never simply throw your jewelry into a box in a messy pile. This can harm delicate parts, and tangle some pieces with others, like necklaces.
When shopping for genuine sterling silver jewelry, you need both a discerning eye and a small magnet. You can tell if a piece of silver is sterling or not by using a magnet. Sterling will not react to the magnet, but non-precious metals will be attracted. Another way to tell if a metal is sterling silver is to check for a hallmark stamp, for example .sterling, .ster, or .925. If there is no hallmark, the piece is probably not authentic and may, indeed, be counterfeit.
Do your research before settling on one diamond. Start by finding what you like, and then begin comparing it with other pieces. Don’t fall for any of the tricks used by shady dealers. They employ these tactics to make a diamond look better than it really is.
Before buying a new item of jewelry, do a little research on recent trends. The one thing that makes a great purchase an outstanding one is getting a bargain on it.
To help maintain its appearance, take good care of it to keep it from getting tarnished. One of the best ways to keep your jewelry looking beautiful is to avoid wearing it in water. Water can cause some metals to lose their luster or to become tarnished or rusty. A single coat of transparent nail polish may help protect certain types of metal.
Pay attention to the quality and type of gemstones in a piece when you’re looking at buying new jewelry. Certain stones will do a better job of complementing your skin tone and your personality than others. Neutral colors are versatile enough to wear with any outfit in your closet. You want to have plenty of opportunities to show off every piece.
Costume jewelry needs special care. These pieces are often put together with glue, which does not last as long as other methods. Therefore, you shouldn’t get costume jewelry wet or expose it to harsh chemicals. It is best to have two cloths ready, one warm with water and one dry, to use to wipe your jewelry. This will make your costume jewelry sparkle for weeks, months, or even years.
Any type of necklace or bracelet should have a strong clasp. You risk losing an expensive or sentimental chain or gemstone pendant if the clasp is too loose. A safety clasp is available and is recommended for valuable bracelets and necklaces. It isn’t unusual for people to protect their most cherished jewelry with a second or even a third clasp.
If you hate finding your jewelry in tangles, you may want to consider using embellished robe hooks to hang your necklaces. Install a series of hooks on a piece of furniture, a door or a wall and arrange your necklaces artfully. This will avoid necklaces getting tangled and knotty, and it is the perfect alternative to a jewelry box.
You can probably tell that there are many different ways you can approach jewelry. The guided research and help from this article can help you take better care of your jewelry and help you acquire quality pieces. Welcome to the colorful, powerful and rewarding world of jewelry and adornments! These tips should give you a nice head-start in exploring this wide world.
