It is important to understand the proper way to shop for, wear and store fine jewelry, regardless of whether it is a newer piece or a cherished heirloom. In this article you will learn some handy tricks for getting the most out of the money and effort you put into jewelry.
Use a soft cloth on your jewelry as often as you want. This helps keep your jewelry shiny without the need for chemical cleansers, which can damage the pieces. Gently polish your jewelry with the two-sided cloth as if it were a mirror. Use a two-sided cleaning cloth, one for polishing and one for shining.
The metals in jewelry can tarnish if exposed to humid air, so you will want to store them in a way that protects them. Trying putting them in a box with a tight-fitting lid or a bag that has a drawstring closure. Both air and humidity can lead to tarnished metal. You can restore the precious metals back to their former glory, but plated jewelry is different. Trying to polish those pieces can reveal the non-precious metals underneath, such as copper.
When you are shopping for jewelry in sterling silver, be sure to examine the piece closely, and take along a magnet for metal testing. Jewelry made with non-precious metals will be attracted to the magnet, revealing any fakes. Your sterling silver jewelery should always be imprinted if it is real. The stamp may read “.925″ or “ster”. If the piece is not hallmarked in any way, be leery of its authenticity because oftentimes it is a sign of a fake.
When you are shopping, think about the color or type of gem you want to buy. The three types are imitation, synthetic and natural. “Real” can mean natural or synthetic, and an imitation stone could be glass or plastic. Synthetic gems come from a lab and natural ones are found in the ground.
Good jewelry will last a lifetime. When you are shopping for your next piece, choose a reliable dealer. This can make all the difference in ensuring you get jewelry of the highest quality. A valuable piece of jewelry will be well-made and feature superior craftsmanship. The jeweler you buy it from should be providing you with a provenance on the piece. Details of where it came from, what it is made from and who made it. It is important to choose a high-quality piece to ensure that your jewelry will last a lifetime.
Jewelry that is well looked-after will always retain its investment cost, as well as providing you with strong sentimental value in the years ahead. Learn the proper ways to clean and store your jewelry. There is a wealth of information out there; utilize every resource at your disposal to maximize your investment.
