Jewelry has been used for an extremely long time and there are countless designs to choose from. The tips below can be used to begin picking out great jewelry that you’re proud to wear.
You can keep the jewelry in your collection sparkling by using a special polishing cloth. This is a very easy way to make them shine and not have to use any type of chemicals or solvents. Use a two-sided cloth to simply polish your jewelry as if it were composed of glass. Use a two-sided cleaning cloth, one for polishing and one for shining.
Steer clear of ammonia, bleach or other strong chemical solvents when you need to clean these items. These chemicals can turn stones dull and even erode the enamel.
Be careful when storing all your jewelry together. Consider delegating each piece to its own resting place, utilizing compartmental boxes and storage units. You should never simply throw your jewelry into a box in a messy pile. This can damage fragile jewelry, and make it difficult to find the necklace you want because it’s tangled with other pieces.
If you are shopping unmarked sterling silver jewelry, then by all means bring a magnet. You can detect fake sterling silver with the magnet, since non-precious metals are drawn to magnets. True sterling silver will also have a mark on it to indicate its quality, such as “.925” or “ster”. If you don’t see a stamp of any sort on a piece, then be wary of whether it is actually silver or not.
Be sure that you understand the kind of gemstone that is in the jewelry that you are purchasing. The three different types of stones are natural, imitation and synthetic. Natural and synthetic gemstones are both actual gemstones, while an imitation gemstone is just a plastic mold made to look like a gemstone. The difference here, however, is that synthetic is man-made in a laboratory while natural is found buried in the earth.
Wearing the jewelry yourself can help you decide if it will be appropriate for your intended recipient. This will also help you to determine if the piece is sufficiently durable.
Pay attention to the quality and type of gemstones in a piece when you’re looking at buying new jewelry. Think about your skin tone, and also think about your personality as you choose your favorite stones. Your best bet is to choose a natural color to match any outfit. Buying a stone that you will never wear is pointless
Know how to keep your jewelry beautiful. You should know that different materials require different maintenance. Not all jewelry should be cared for in the same way. If you can’t find information about caring for a specific piece of jewelry, consult a trusted jeweler.
Costume jewelry requires specific care. Often, stones will be glued into their settings, which makes them more prone to falling out than regular jewelry. Keep your costume jewelery away from water or chemicals. It is best to have two cloths ready, one warm with water and one dry, to use to wipe your jewelry. This keeps costume jewelry looking its best.
The preceding jewelry tips will help when you are looking for pieces that are just right for you. All the jewelry designs you can select from are intimidating to many people. However, researching some jewelry facts can provide a lot of assistance.