Because jewelry is personal, it’s prized as a token of love, pride and accomplishment. No matter the size of the piece, there is nothing more exciting than receiving a piece of jewelry. The following article will give you some insight about jewelry, whether you are thinking of buying some as a gift or purchasing a special piece for yourself.
Avoid using harmful substances like bleach, ammonia, acetone, turpentine and the like to clean them. This could cause the stone to change color or become dull in appearance, and it may eat away at the enamel on the piece.
Sterling Silver
When you are shopping for jewelry in sterling silver, be sure to examine the piece closely, and take along a magnet for metal testing. You can detect fake sterling silver with the magnet, since non-precious metals are drawn to magnets. You will always find a hallmark stamp such as “.925” or “STER.” on genuine sterling, or alternately, it might simply say, “STERLING”. If you don’t see a stamp of any sort on a piece, then be wary of whether it is actually silver or not.
When you go diamond shopping, make sure that you do shopping comparisons. View the piece you are currently considering closely and then compare it against some other pieces that are in the running. Be alert, since there are various ways to deceive consumers into thinking a diamond is better then it really is.
Pay attention to the types, sizes, and colors of jewelry that the person wears. This will give you a good idea of where to start when purchasing that special item.
If you want to maintain the look of your jewelry, you should prevent it from becoming tarnished. Do not wear jewelery around water. Water exposure can cause different metals to become tarnished, dull or rusted. 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.
You could wear it for a day to make sure it is not uncomfortable. Doing this also tells you how well it stands up to normal daily wear.
Costume Jewelry
Costume jewelry should be treated differently than your other jewelry. Many of the costume type settings are glued-in, rather than set-in. Costume jewelry should never be immersed or make contact with harsh chemicals. The most effective way to safely clean them is wiping with a damp cloth, then drying with a different, soft cloth. This will keep any costume jewelry that you have looking great.
As was already stated, jewelry makes the ideal gift for many reasons. Even a small piece of jewelery can mean so much! There are also some things that you may want to know about maintaining the jewelry that you already have. Consider the tips mentioned here and use them to enhance your enjoyment of special pieces of jewelry for years to come.