The Jewelry Box: Your Go-To Jewelry Guide
There are a lot of things to know about jewelry, whether you are giving it as gift, receiving a gift yourself, or caring for a piece passed down to you. Where do you begin to look for information on this praiseworthy human tradition? This article will provide you with guidance on researching jewelry, and this information can help you make good purchases.
Don’t clean your jewelry in harsh household chemicals like ammonia, bleach or turpentine. Doing so can destroy enamel finishes, while clouding stones and crystals.
Take care to store your jewelry safely. Using boxes, hooks, holders, and compartments is very effective for ensuring the pieces stay separated. Don’t just box all the pieces together in a pile. This can harm delicate parts, and tangle some pieces with others, like necklaces.
The metals in jewelry can tarnish if exposed to humid air, so you will want to store them in a way that protects them. For maximum protection you can choose to store them inside of a small drawstring or a closed jewelry box. Tarnish is a chemical reaction that happens when silver and other metals are exposed to moisture and air. 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.
Sterling Silver
If you are shopping unmarked sterling silver jewelry, then by all means bring a magnet. Jewelry made with non-precious metals will be attracted to the magnet, revealing any fakes. You can generally tell genuine sterling silver by its stamp, which will look something like “.925 ster.” If the piece of presumed silver is not marked, be skeptical that is real silver. It could very well be a fake.
When you are shopping for diamonds, there are ways to compare the stones. Look at what you want very closely, and keep that in mind so you can compare it with other diamonds you look at. Be careful of tricks that jewelers use to make a diamond look bigger or better.
Notice what type of earrings they are wearing, including the shape and metal. These types of observations will provide a starting point to purchase an item they’ll cherish.
If you buy jewelry from a jewelry store, ask if they offer insurance. That way, if something were to happen to your jewelry, you can easily bring it back to the jeweler who will fix or replace it. There are some jewelers that will also have insurance plans for pieces that get lost or stolen.
Costume Jewelry
When collecting costume jewelry, pay close attention to the condition of any piece you are considering. While normally is a beautiful investment, a piece of costume jewelry that is in poor condition is not worth buying. Compare pieces for quality, because good ones stay high or even grow in value over time.
Special care is required for costume jewelry. Costume settings are often glued-in as compared to set-in. Never immerse your costume jewelry or use harsh chemicals on it. It’s most beneficial to use a damp warm cloth to gently wipe, then use another cloth to dry. Doing so will keep your jewelry looking its best for life.
If you’re shopping for an individual who likes unique pieces of jewelry, you should consider purchasing an item that is made specifically for this person. Besides affection and admiration, an ideal jewelry gift expresses creativity and thoughtfulness. A custom-made piece selected to suit the recipient’s personality is an excellent way for you to demonstrate these feelings.
It’s clear that jewelry has so many varieties and aspects to it. If you are diligent about doing your research, you’ll be able to make educated purchasing decisions and learn how to care for those purchases. Welcome to the exciting world of jewelry! The advice above should be a valuable stepping stone for beginning your quest.
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