Jewelry has different meanings from a token of love to an heirloom. No matter what kind of jewelry you want to buy and give, selecting the best pieces can be tricky. This article will show you some ways you can get the most from your jewelry purchases.
Polish your jewelry regularly with a jeweler’s polishing cloth. In this way, you will not have to deal with chemicals or solvents while you achieve the shine you love. Just polish each piece with the special cloth in the same way you would polish a piece of glass. First you should use the polish side, then use the shining side to really make your jewelry look stunning!
Avoid using things like bleach, acetone, ammonia, turpentine, and other related chemicals to clean them with. This can cause your stones to turn and dull in color, along with eating away any enamel on the pieces.
Precious Metals
Some precious metals and gems need to be kept away from moisture and humidity. Trying putting them in a box with a tight-fitting lid or a bag that has a drawstring closure. Both air and humidity can lead to tarnished metal. Precious metals are able to be polished and retain their luster, but the non-precious metals have a coat, and polishing will cause the metal under it to show through.
If you are looking to purchase sterling silver jewelry make sure that you have a magnet with you and a good eye. Take the magnet with you to find fake pieces of jewelery, sterling silver will not stick to the magnet. In addition, sterling silver pieces are always stamped with silver hallmarks indicating such factors as the degree of purity, the manufacturer’s symbol, and the date of manufacture. Some of the most common hallmarks are “925, “ster,” “sterling,” and “sterling silver.” If there is no hallmark, watch its authenticity since it may be fake.
Synthetic Stones
Find out more about the gems you look at. Ask about where they came from and to which category they belong. Natural gems and imitation gems have been joined recently by synthetic gems, making three main categories. While both natural and synthetic stones are still real, imitation is just glass or plastic made to look like the natural stone. Natural stones are mined, and synthetic stones are created in a laboratory.
Jewelry that has been cared for properly retains its sentimental and economic value. Protecting your jewelry investment can be as simple as learning proper care methods. This is more information out there, and by continuously education yourself, you can get more from your own jewelry.