david2 You can never know too much about jewelry. You could waste money if you make a poor purchasing decision. These manageable tips will help. Let this article guide you to the best possible jewelry choices for your needs.
Don’t use acetone, ammonia, turpentine, bleach, or other harsh chemicals for cleaning them. These chemicals can turn stones dull and even erode the enamel.
Be careful when storing all your jewelry together. It’s better to keep pieces separate by using boxes, holders, hooks and other containers. You should never simply throw your jewelry into a box in a messy pile. Fragile jewelry could easily be damaged by doing this, not to mention the nuisance of having to untangle necklace chains that could get caught together.
Sterling Silver
If you are shopping for sterling silver jewelry, you’ll need a magnet and an eye for the real thing. Imitations will be attracted to your magnet. This is an easy way to recognize quality. Sterling silver will always be hallmarked with a stamp such as .925, ster. or sterling. If there is no marking on the piece, it may not be sterling silver.
Always be aware of the type of stone you’re buying when dealing with gems. The three types are imitation, synthetic and natural. Natural and synthetic gemstones are both actual gemstones, while an imitation gemstone is just a plastic mold made to look like a gemstone. Synthetic gems are grown in a lab, natural gems are dug out of the Earth.
A piece of jewelry should be long lasting. Get jewelry from a jeweler with a good reputation to be sure that it’s of high-quality. A truly high-quality piece is one that is well-constructed and of superior workmanship. Ask the jeweler about the history behind the piece and learn more about who made it, as well as the origin of the materials. It is essential to purchase high-quality jewelry if you want it to become a treasured heirloom passed down for generations.
Ask the jeweler what type of insurance is available for your purchase. In the unfortunate, but possible event that your jewelry gets damaged, the jeweler will be able to replace or fix it for you. Many jewelers also have insurance for lost or stolen pieces.
Wear the jewelry around for a day or so to be sure that it fits right and is comfortable. You’ll also be able to get a better idea of the piece’s durability.
It is important to think about the most effective methods of jewelry care. Various settings, types of metals, and gemstones need different types of care to protect them and make sure they get cleaned properly. A jewelry cleaner that is safe for one type of gemstone may damage another kind. Consult with a jeweler if you are unsure exactly how to care for your own jewels.
It is crucial that all bracelets and necklaces have good clasps. A flimsy clasp could result in lost jewelry. For particularly expensive or sentimental pieces of jewelry, it is recommended you have a safety clasp installed. It is common to have two or three clasps for expensive jewelry.
Don’t wear jewelry when swimming. Jewelry can be damaged by strong chemicals like chlorine, making your pieces less shiny and durable. Over time, salt water is just as harmful to your jewelry. To safeguard your valuable jewelry, set it aside in a safe place before you go in for a swim.
If you hate finding your jewelry in tangles, you may want to consider using embellished robe hooks to hang your necklaces. Install the hooks in a row on a wall or closet door, and use them to organize your necklaces by style, color, length or any other system that works for you. Not only will this prevent your necklaces from getting entwined in your jewelry box, it will also look really attractive.
Well, it’s easy when you know how. This article has just touched on a few of things that you should know about this very rewarding hobby. There is much to learn, but at least you’ve now got a few good ideas to put to work.