The idea behind jewelery is almost as wonderful as wearing it. Jewelry holds on to memories of important and happy occasions and pays respect to the owner and giver’s relationship. When you understand how jewelry works, it makes the whole process more memorable.
Avoid using harmful substances like bleach, ammonia, acetone, turpentine and the like to clean them. Harsh chemicals will dull your stones and dissolve the enamel on your jewelry.
Be cautious of storing all of your pieces of jewelry together. It is best to use holders, compartments, boxes, and hooks so that everything is kept separate. Resist the temptation to jumble all your pieces into a community box. This can damage fragile jewelry, and make it difficult to find the necklace you want because it’s tangled with other pieces.
Keep your jewelry stored somewhere that is free from humidity or air. To ensure it is protected, keep your jewelry in a drawstring bag or a jewelry box that is closed. Precious, as well as non-precious metals, will tarnish if they are exposed to humidity and air over time. You will be able to polish precious metals to remove tarnish, but non-precious metals may lose their coating, showing the copper metal beneath.
If you are looking to purchase sterling silver jewelry make sure that you have a magnet with you and a good eye. Jewelry made with non-precious metals will be attracted to the magnet, revealing any fakes. Sterling silver always has some sort of stamp to indicate it is sterling. Be wary of jewelery without any kind of hallmark, as often it is fake.
When you purchase jewelery ensure you know what you are buying. There are three different types: natural, synthetic and imitation. While natural and synthetic stones are the real deal, imitation stones are made to look like a real gemstone, but could be anything from colored glass to plastic. They make synthetic stones in a lab, whereas natural stones come from the ground.
Always look at a number of different places when you are shopping for diamonds. Look at the pieces up close before purchasing them, and be sure to compare them to others. Be careful of tricks that jewelers use to make a diamond look bigger or better.
When purchasing jewelry from a respected jeweler, inquire as to whether they offer an insurance policy. Then, you will have peace of mind knowing it can be fixed or replaced if anything happens. In certain instances, there may even be jewelry insurance available to cover loss or theft.
Costume jewelry needs special care. Many of the costume type settings are glued-in, rather than set-in. Take care not to use chemicals or lots of water in an attempt to clean your costume jewelry. For best results, use a warmed, damp cloth to wipe your jewelry and then use another cloth to dry it. This keeps costume jewelry looking its best.
To invest in jewelry is to invest in a memory, and that is a truly priceless pursuit. Every piece of jewelry has its own story, whether it reminds you of a special time in your life, or represents an important part of your personality.
