There are a lot of things to know about jewelry, whether you are giving it as gift, receiving a gift yourself, or caring for a piece passed down to you. Where do you begin to look for information on this praiseworthy human tradition? This article will provide you with guidance on researching jewelry, and this information can help you make good purchases.
Don’t use things that contain harsh chemicals like bleach, ammonia, acetone or turpentine, to clean your jewelry. This can cause the stones to lose their luster in addition to eating away the enamel on any of the pieces.
Sterling Silver
Bring a magnet when shopping for sterling silver jewelery. You are able to detect fake pieces of sterling jewelry with a magnet, as non-precious metals are attracted by the magnet. Another way to tell if a metal is sterling silver is to check for a hallmark stamp, for example .sterling, .ster, or .925. If your silver is not marked, it could be because it is not real!
Do some research on the gem in your new piece of jewelry before you buy. The three types are imitation, synthetic and natural. Natural and synthetic are both real, while imitation is just basically colored plastic. Natural comes from the ground, while synthetic ones are created in a lab.
Make sure you take precautions to stop your jewelery from losing its shine. When wearing your jewelry, you should avoid exposure to water. This could cause your jewelery to rust or become more dull. For added protection for your jewelry, try adding a thin coating of clear nail polish.
Costume Jewelry
If you are wanting to collect costume jewelry, you should ensure you are aware of its condition. Many costume pieces are a great investment and can be quite costly, but costume jewelry that has too many signs of wear will not keep their value over time. Jewelry that’s in good repair can be a much better investment.
Try on a few different stones when you are shopping for jewelry. Try to choose a stone that meshes well with your taste or personality. Also, consider what looks good on you. Neutral colored stones will work well with any outfit in your closet. Buying something that does not work with multiple outfits is pointless.
Costume jewelry requires specific care. Many embellishments on costume jewelry are only secured with glue rather than set into the piece. You want to avoid using strong chemicals or immersion baths on your costume jewelry. The best way to care for your jewelry is to use one damp cloth to wipe it followed by a dry one to dry it. This will make your current costume jewelry look great.
There are many different aspects of jewelry to learn about. That said, if you read carefully and know what you are buying, you can pick only the best pieces and care for them properly. Buying and selling jewelry is fun and exciting! The tips below will help you learn what you need to get started.