Jewelry is the perfect gift for just about any occasion to show someone how much you care for, and appreciate them. Even small pieces of jewelry can have big significance. The following article will give you some insight about jewelry, whether you are thinking of buying some as a gift or purchasing a special piece for yourself.
Keep your jewelry stored somewhere that is free from humidity or air. To ensure it is protected, keep your jewelry in a drawstring bag or a jewelry box that is closed. Certain metals will be tarnished when exposed to humidity or air. While precious metals can be polished back to their original luster, non-precious metals are only coated in which case polishing causes the copper metal underneath to show through.
Keep your jewelry looking like new by wiping it with a polishing cloth. A polishing cloth is a very gentle way to get a good shine on all your pieces. Use the two-sided cloth to polish your jewelry as if you were cleaning glass. Use the one side designated for polish, and the other for making it shine.
Knowing what type of jewel you are buying when you purchase jewelry is very important. There are different types of gems, including imitation, natural and lab produced. Both synthetic and natural gems are real; however, imitation is simply plastic. Synthetic gems are grown in a lab, natural gems are dug out of the Earth.
To distinguish between real and fake, bring a magnet when you shop for sterling silver jewelry. You can detect fake sterling silver with the magnet, since non-precious metals are drawn to magnets. True sterling sliver always has some sort of hallmark stamp on it, such as .925, sterling or ster. Be wary of jewelery without any kind of hallmark, as often it is fake.
Before you buy anything new, found out about the latest trend. You will enjoy your jewelery even more if you can get it on sale.
Observe them and see what jewelry pieces the happen to be wearing, such as necklaces, earrings, or rings. Also take note of any metals or stones they seem to prefer. This should give you a grasp of their tastes, and some ideas about what to buy for them.
Wear jewelry for at least a day to see if it hangs correctly and is comfortable. This also helps you to see its durability.
Costume Jewelery
By wearing a brooch, your belt will be accented and look more interesting. Pin the brooch on your belt in the center, or offset to one side.
If you want costume jewelery, you will have to take care of it. Costume jewelery pieces can be expensive but they are not worth the investment if they look too old. An item in good condition holds its value better in the long run.
Apply your makeup before putting on your jewelry. Any kind of spare dust or oil will attach itself to your jewelry, so putting it on before makeup will just make it look a little dirty. This is extra important when you are cleaning necklaces or earrings.
Take stones into consideration when you go to purchase new jewelry. Any stones that you choose should go with your skin tone and reflect your personality. If you choose a neutral color it will match anything you wear. It’s a waste of time buying something that you won’t wear regularly.
Before you purchase gemstone jewelry, you should first determine if and how the stone was treated. Care for your gemstone is different, depending on how it was previously treated. You want to avoid unknowingly cleaning the gem with a chemical or solution that could strip off the protective treatment.
Costume Jewelry
Be careful when untangling your delicate necklaces. Don’t give up on getting the knots out, instead get a sheet of plastic wrap. Lay the necklace on the plastic wrap, and then cover it with a thin coat of mineral oil or baby oil. You would then untangle the necklace using needles. Wash it gently with a bit of dish soap and then pat it dry.
Costume jewelry needs special care. Many of the costume type settings are glued-in, rather than set-in. Costume jewelry should never be submerged in liquid, nor cleaned with chemicals. The best way to care for your jewelry is to use one damp cloth to wipe it followed by a dry one to dry it. This helps keep costume jewelry looking sparkling clean and new.
When you are buying jewelery, make sure you know what you are going to use it for. You want to ensure that you purchase a piece of jewelry that you will actually wear. When making a selection, remember your outfits, clothing and accessories.
Wearing jewelry during spa and recreational activities is not recommended. Significant damage can occur to the piece because of the high moisture and high temperatures.
A small but well-cut diamond with high clarity can look nicer than a bigger diamond of lower quality. Also, keep in mind the personality of the person you are giving the diamond to.
Know your options when shopping for diamonds. Every diamond is unique, and there will always be tiny flaws. When you see the diamond in person, the flaws, of course, can become much less important. Jewelers can price their diamonds differently according to the flaws in the diamonds. If you are working on a budget, shop around to find a diamond that suits both your preferences and your wallet.
Try to purchase sets of jewelry as a gift for someone. It is not uncommon for jewelers to offer special discounts on matched sets. There is nothing stopping you from splitting a set after buying it; you can use a set for a series of gifts over multiple holidays, for example. This way you can have a gift ready for someone months in advance and know that they will like it.
Take your jewelry off before you go swimming. Chlorine is damaging to many types of metals that jewelry is made of. The cumulative effects of salt water can affect jewelery just as badly. Lengthen the jewelry’s life, and ensure it keeps its beauty by removing any precious items before entering the pool.
All bracelets and necklaces must have a good, durable clasp or closure. A flimsy clasp could result in lost jewelry. A safety clasp is available and is recommended for valuable bracelets and necklaces. Actually, some people opt for an additional clasp on more expensive pieces.
When you set out to buy jewelry, buy a piece because you love it, not because of who makes it. It will be difficult for others to tell where you purchased an item, and if you’re only buying something because of the name, it could very well be overpriced. Excellent quality can be found from a lot of different jewelry brands.
Think of expensive jewelery as an investment for the years to come. While the price tag does frequently denote the quality of a piece, you should also consider whether a piece is crafted in a timeless style. A modern cut may look wonderful with your style now but clash terribly with your timeless investment pieces several years down the line. Try to find something timeless and classic.
As you surely know by now, jewelry is appropriate for so many different kinds of occasions and events. Even a tiny token can be very meaningful to the recipient. There are also some things that you may want to know about maintaining the jewelry that you already have. Apply everything you have learned in the article to improve the satisfaction you have in jewelry.
The increasing cost of purchasing gold can be a hindrance to owning that piece you really desire. You can have gold pieces at a lower price by buying gold that contains fewer karats. 18 karat gold is a popular option, being 75% pure the quality, as well as the price makes it an attractive choice for those in the market to purchase gold.