Jewelry is a passionate topic with many people, whether it’s for a person’s loved one or personal use. There are so many options and beautiful pieces available, it is helpful to become more knowledgeable about different aspects of jewelry. The following paragraphs will help you get a handle on the complex world of jewelry!
For example, you should never use bleach, turpentine, or ammonia on your jewelry. Harsh chemicals can destroy the enamel, and ruin the stones in your jewelry.
Always keep your jewelry in a place that doesn’t experience extreme temperatures or humidities. To maximize protection, put your jewelry in a jewelry box or a small drawstring bag. Humidity and air tends to cause precious and non-precious metals to tarnish. It is possible to polish precious metals, but polishing non-precious metals will damage the coating, which makes the copper that metal was covering show.
To distinguish between real and fake, bring a magnet when you shop for sterling silver jewelry. Imitations will be attracted to your magnet. This is an easy way to recognize quality. If your silver is sterling, you will also notice a mark on the piece. This mark might state .925, sterling, or ster. Silver jewelry that lacks a hallmark may be a fake or composed of other metals.
Compare lots of diamonds before you settle on one to buy. Take a good look at all the pieces that you like, examining them and comparing them to each other. Be careful of tricks that jewelers use to make a diamond look bigger or better.
When you buy a piece of jewelery, inquire about the jeweler’s insurance policy. If something happens to your piece, you’ll know you can take it to the jeweler you bought it from, who will repair it or replace the piece. There are jewelers who offer insurance for misplaced or lost jewelry, too.
If you want to maintain the look of your jewelry, you should prevent it from becoming tarnished. Try not to wear jewelry when you are around water. If you let some metals get wet too often, they can tarnish, rust or become dull. A very light coating of clear nail varnish can be applied to some jewelry, and this will add an additional line of protection against the elements.
The price, style, color, material, occasion – there is so much to think about when selecting jewelry that it can easily become overwhelming. This article serves as a great guideline for jewelry selection, maintenance and ownership.
