A piece of jewelry can be very beautiful, and so can the entire concept itself. Traditionally, jewelry has been used to mark important occasions and celebrate treasured relationships between people. When you learn about jewelry, you will be able to make wise choices in purchasing it and in selling or trading it. You will be able to choose jewelry of heirloom quality.
When storing your jewelry, be sure that you store it in a place with low humidity and free of open air. A box designed especially for jewelry gives the best protection, but a cloth bag can also work. Humid air affects the metals in jewelry and causes tarnishing. You can restore the precious metals back to their former glory, but plated jewelry is different. Trying to polish those pieces can reveal the non-precious metals underneath, such as copper.
Sterling Silver
When purchasing sterling silver, take along a good magnifying glass, along with a small magnet. You can detect fake sterling silver with the magnet, since non-precious metals are drawn to magnets. There should be a stamp hallmarked that says something like .925 sterling or ster, on sterling silver If you don’t see such a mark, you might want to reconsider the purchase. This is usually an indication that the piece is fake.
When you are purchasing a new piece of jewelry, be aware of the gemstone that it contains and what it is made of. There are three unique types of stones: imitation, synthetic and natural. Natural and synthetic gems are real stones, but imitation is just plastic colored to look like the real thing. They make synthetic stones in a lab, whereas natural stones come from the ground.
Pay attention to the type of metal they wear, such as white gold or yellow gold. Also notice if your loved one usually wears hoops or studs. Noticing these things lets you choose jewelry more suited to their tastes.
Test it out by wearing it yourself; you don’t want to give a piece that will be uncomfortable or awkward for the recipient. You can also make a better estimate of the jewelry’s durability after trying it out.
The color gemstones are an important consideration when shopping for new jewelry. Certain stones will do a better job of complementing your skin tone and your personality than others. Look for colors in neutral shades that you can wear with any of your favorite clothes. Buying a stone that you will never wear is pointless
Costume Jewelry
Costume jewelry does require some special care. Costume jewelry is often put together using glue and other adhesives, unlike stoned that are set using metal. Costume jewelry should never be submerged in liquid, nor cleaned with chemicals. The best way to maintain your costume jewelry is to use a moist, warm cloth first, then dry it off with another cloth. You will be able to maintain its nice appearance with this method.
Your belt will get a little pizzazz if you accent it with a brooch like this. Think about placing it near your hip or at waist level.
Have definite plans for the jewelry you purchase. What’s the fun in buying jewelry you never actually wear? When picking jewelry, be sure to keep your clothing in mind.
The cut of the diamond and its clarity can be more appealing than its size. Also, remember the person’s personality who will be receiving the diamond.
Jewelry sets are a great gift item to consider. Buying a set of jewelry can get you a deal many times. You do not have to give your loved one the entire set at once. You can present him or her with one piece as each occasion comes around. It’s a good way to ascertain that you are never without a great gift to give a loved one.
If you hate finding your jewelry in tangles, you may want to consider using embellished robe hooks to hang your necklaces. You can hang a whole row of these small pieces of hardware along a wall or the back of a closet door, then hang your necklaces in groups by color or length. This little display looks appealing and keeps chains from tangling at the same time.
When buying an expensive jewelry piece, you want it to last for many years. Although you usually get high-quality jewelry when you spend a lot of money, you also need to consider the style of the piece. A fashion-forward trendy piece may be in style now but lose its appeal in the future. Try to find something timeless and classic.
If you are considering a fine piece of real gold jewelry, you should be prepared to pay a high price. You can save some money, though. You just need to be a little flexible about the number of karats you will accept. The best combination of price and quality is an 18k piece made without less than 75% pure gold.
If you are wearing a simple outfit, wear bigger jewelery. It is better to pair something complex with a solid background. This will show off the jewelry’s fine design.
It has become quite common to see people wearing both yellow gold and silver jewelry. In order to do this, you need to have a piece of jewelry that combines both metals. If not, you’ll have a mismatched appearance.
Clean the piece carefully with a damp cloth to preserve its setting. Follow this by drying it with a separate soft cloth. Do not ever clean your jewelery with any chemicals that may damage the stones or harm the settings.
Selling, owning or buying jewelry means you are investing in something that is nearly priceless, which in itself is the memory. Whether your jewelry symbolizes happiness from the past or hopes for great times in the future, every piece of jewelry is linked to human emotion.