Have you been thinking about venturing into the world of jewelry? There are a lot of things to consider when you are thinking about making an expensive jewelery decision for anyone that you care about.
Do not use harsh chemicals such as ammonia, bleach, turpentine or acetone to clean them. Chemicals can eat away the stones or enamel on your stones.
Make sure you organize your jewelry properly. Keep pieces separately by using compartments, boxes, hooks and holders. Avoiding piling your nice jewelry pieces into one big heap in a box. Heavy pieces should not be placed in the same compartment with fragile pieces.
Always keep your jewelry in a place that doesn’t experience extreme temperatures or humidities. A drawstring bag or closed box offers the best protection from moisture in the air. Tarnish is a chemical reaction that happens when silver and other metals are exposed to moisture and air. It is possible to restore precious metals to their previous state, but it’s better to avoid damaging them in the first place.
If you are shopping unmarked sterling silver jewelry, then by all means bring a magnet. Precious metals, like sterling silver, will not be attracted to the magnet. You can recognize sterling silver by stamps that say ‘.925’ or ‘ster’. Silver jewelry that lacks a hallmark may be a fake or composed of other metals.
Your jewelry should endure an entire lifetime. Choose reputable jewelry dealers when considering your next jewelry purchase. A high-quality piece of jewelry should be well-made and show superior craftsmanship. The jeweler should be able to give you a history on the piece, like who crafted it and where the stones came from if there are any. Take your time when selecting a high-quality piece if you want it to last you for a long time.
Ask about insurance from your jeweler before purchasing a new piece. Many stores offer a policy where you can bring broken or damaged jewelry back to the original jeweler for repair at little to no cost. In some cases, insurance policies will cover lost, misplaced or stolen pieces.
To keep your jewelry looking great, take steps to prevent it from tarnish. Do not wear jewelery around water. Water can dull and rust some types of metal if it is exposed to it too often. If you are looking to protect your jewelry from the ill effects of water, try applying clear nail polish, just a thin layer, on the piece itself.
One key thing to remember is to only put your jewelry on after you’ve applied your makeup. The dust, oils and particles from makeup rub off on jewelry; putting on jewels first means they will get dingy and dull with a film of makeup over them. This is even more necessary for earrings and necklaces.
You are now armed with the information you need to make better purchasing decisions when it comes to jewelry. No longer shall you find gemstones, diamonds, beads or precious metals overwhelming and daunting. The investment that you make now in a quality-piece will be something to be proud of and enjoy for years to come.