If you just received a piece of jewelry from an inheritance or as a gift, or you just bought a piece on your own, you probably want to know more about jewelry in general. Beginning to seek out information about jewelry can be difficult. This article is the first step to becoming an educated customer.
Clean all of your jewelry with a polishing cloth. This is an easy way to get shine without chemicals and solvents. Just polish each piece with the special cloth in the same way you would polish a piece of glass. Use one side of the cloth for polishing, and the reverse to make it sparkle.
Don’t use harsh chemicals like turpentine or bleach to clean jewelry. Using them may result in damage to your jewelry, may cause dulling of gemstones, and may erode enamel work.
Precious Metals
Jewelry is best stored in an area with low humidity. For maximum protection you can choose to store them inside of a small drawstring or a closed jewelry box. All metals will tarnish if they are subjected to too much air and humidity. The thing about this is that non-precious metals cannot fully recover from this because underneath, the copper shows through. However, keep in mind that precious metals can go back to their own original forms.
Arm yourself with a magnet and a magnifying glass when shopping for sterling silver jewelry. Use the magnet to detect fake jewelry; real silver will not be attracted to the magnet, but the cheaper metals will. Sterling silver always has some sort of stamp to indicate it is sterling. If your silver is not marked, it could be because it is not real!
Always shop around when buying a diamond. Get up close to inspect the diamond carefully. Make a comparison with other pieces you have looked at. Don’t fall for any of the tricks used by shady dealers. They employ these tactics to make a diamond look better than it really is.
If you buy jewelry from a jewelry store, ask if they offer insurance. That way, if something were to happen to your jewelry, you can easily bring it back to the jeweler who will fix or replace it. You can even find insurance on jewelry pieces that were stolen or misplaced.
Now you see the wide and splendid array of jewelry that has been created. That said, if you read carefully and know what you are buying, you can pick only the best pieces and care for them properly. When you first start out with jewelry, it is like a whole other world, and it is one flush with excitement and beauty. Apply these tips to make sure your journey is a smooth one.