Many people are passionate about jewelry, both for themselves and others. It’s good to know a little bit about jewelry, especially since there are so many types, ways to wear jewelry and so many ways to care for jewelry pieces. Read on for the best tips in the proper care of your jewelry.
The use of polishing cloths are helpful in cleaning your jewelry. This is a natural way to shine all of your jewelry without relying on abrasives or other harsh chemicals. Use this two-sided cloth on your jewelry as though you were cleaning glass. Use a two-sided cleaning cloth, one for polishing and one for shining.
Steer clear of ammonia, bleach or other strong chemical solvents when you need to clean these items. Using them may result in damage to your jewelry, may cause dulling of gemstones, and may erode enamel work.
Be sure that you store all of your jewelry safely away from air and humidity. Some good examples of proper storage would be,a jewelry box that is closed, or a small draw string bag. Precious, as well as non-precious metals, will tarnish if they are exposed to humidity and air over time. Silver polishes work well to remove tarnish, but certain metals, such as bronze, may not polish well. The polish may remove the surface coating and then the metal underneath, such as copper, becomes visible.
When you are shopping for jewelry in sterling silver, be sure to examine the piece closely, and take along a magnet for metal testing. Metals that aren’t precious will connect to the magnet, signaling that it is fake. True sterling sliver always has some sort of hallmark stamp on it, such as .925, sterling or ster. If you don’t see a stamp of any sort on a piece, then be wary of whether it is actually silver or not.
Synthetic Gems
When purchasing jewels, you should understand which type of stone you are getting. Gemstones come in three different varieties: natural, imitation and synthetic. Natural gems and synthetic gems are real gemstones, whereas imitation is just an item of plastic with gemstone colors. Synthetic gems come from a lab and natural ones are found in the ground.
Jewelry is an investment that should last forever. To ensure you are buying a quality piece, refuse to deal with anybody but the most reputable of jewelers. You should be able to notice a quality piece by its 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. Choosing a high-quality piece of jewelry is important, so that it will last forever.
It can sometimes be overwhelming to sift through all the available options for purchasing jewelry, from the cost factor to caring to the piece, as well as choosing the right piece for your needs. Even expensive designer pieces are reproduced and sold at a reasonable price.