What jewelry represents is almost as interesting as actually wearing it. Jewelry memorializes important and joyous occasions and pays tribute to relationships that matter to its owners and givers. When you know more about jewelry and its ability to preserve memories, you will find that even the act of buying and selling can be more enjoyable.
You can keep the jewelry in your collection sparkling by using a special polishing cloth. This is a fairly simple way to achieve shine without dealing with solvents and chemicals. You just have to polish each piece the same as you would polish glass using the two-sided cloth. Use one side of the cloth for polishing, and the reverse to make it sparkle.
Don’t use acetone, ammonia, turpentine, bleach, or other harsh chemicals for cleaning them. Harsh chemicals can destroy the enamel, and ruin the stones in your jewelry.
Precious Metals
Make sure to store your jewelry away from humidity and air. To maximize protection, put your jewelry in a jewelry box or a small drawstring bag. Both air and humidity can lead to tarnished metal. Precious metals can often be polished to remove most tarnish. Non-precious metals often have a single coat of metal. Therefore, polishing them can remove the coat and show the copper that is found underneath.
Do they prefer to wear over-sized pieces or more delicate styles? Yellow gold or silver? Doing this will provide a good basis for where you should begin so that you can purchase a special piece for that special someone.
To keep your jewelry looking great, take steps to prevent it from tarnish. If possible, remove your jewelry if you are around water. A lot of metals will rust, tarnish or dull when they come in contact with water. It is wise to place a single coat of transparent nail lacquer on jewelry in order to protect it.
Make careful note of the condition of costume jewelry you wish to collect. Costume jewelery pieces can be expensive but they are not worth the investment if they look too old. The most useful pieces in your collection are the ones that are in excellent condition.
Do some research on the best way to clean your particular piece of jewelry. Different cleaning techniques are required for different types of jewelry. Not all jewelry should be cared for in the same way. Whenever you buy a new piece of jewelry, ask the jeweler the best way to clean and maintain it.
Costume Jewelry
Costume jewelry should be taken care of. Often, stones will be glued into their settings, which makes them more prone to falling out than regular jewelry. Don’t submerge costume jewelry in water or clean it with abrasives. Simply wipe it with a damp warm cloth, followed by a soft, dry cloth. This will ensure that your costume jewelry looks perfect.
When it comes to jewelry, whether you are buying, selling or simply wearing and enjoying it, you need good information to protect your investment. Jewelry provides hope and joy to buyers and owners. Family heirlooms remind their owners of happy times in their own or their family’s past, while engagement rings provide people with hope for the future.
