Whatever your jewelry situation is, the jewelry world can get confusing. Where do you begin to look for information on this praiseworthy human tradition? You can start learning right here with these useful tips that will help turn you into an educated jewelry consumer.
Avoid harsh chemicals like bleach, ammonia and acetone that may permanently damage your jewelry. Chemicals can eat away the stones or enamel on your stones.
Take care when you are storing your jewelry in the same place. Keep pieces separately by using compartments, boxes, hooks and holders. Do not just throw them into piles in a box. Heavy pieces should not be placed in the same compartment with fragile pieces.
Precious Metals
The metals in jewelry can tarnish if exposed to humid air, so you will want to store them in a way that protects them. Store jewelry in a sealed box or drawstring pouch for the best protection. Humidity quickly tarnishes both precious and non-precious 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.
When you are shopping for jewelry in sterling silver, be sure to examine the piece closely, and take along a magnet for metal testing. Imitations will be attracted to your magnet. This is an easy way to recognize quality. Another way to tell if a metal is sterling silver is to check for a hallmark stamp, for example .sterling, .ster, or .925. If the piece that you are looking at is not hallmarked, this is usually the sign that it is a fake.
Your jewelry should endure an entire lifetime. Don’t buy jewelry from less than reputable stockists if you expect your pieces to be of the highest quality. If a piece of jewelry is of high quality, it should be made well and exhibit top-flight craftsmanship. The person selling the piece should know its history, including who made it and the source of the stones. If you select high-quality jewelry, it will last you forever.
Pay attention if they usually wear studs or hoop earrings, white gold or yellow, and any other typical jewelry that they wear. Doing so can help to find the most special piece for the recipient.
By now you understand there are many amazing details regarding jewelry. Doing your research is essential when you are searching for a quality piece. Furthermore, learning to care for your purchase will ensure that it lasts for years to come. The world of jewelry is filled with many exciting discoveries. Get the most from your next jewelry shopping spree by following these tips.