You need to learn how to take care of jewelry and buy and sell it responsibly, whether you are giving jewelry gifts, receiving them, or inheriting family heirlooms. This article will give you the tips and tricks that you need to get the most from the money and time you devote to jewelry.
Take care when you are storing your jewelry in the same place. Keep pieces separately by using compartments, boxes, hooks and holders. Do not ever just throw them in a pile. This can damage the finer and more fragile pieces, and items like necklaces can entangle with each other and other pieces into a big mess.
If you don’t have any jewelry cleaner handy, try using toothpaste with baking soda to help clean tarnish off of your sterling or pure silver jewelry. Just rub the toothpaste on the tarnished area with a soft cloth and clean off. Make sure to dry the jewelry to prevent future tarnishing.
Take the time to notice what kind of jewelry they already wear. For example, if they wear earrings, are they hoop or studs? Do they prefer white or yellow metals? Paying attention to these aspects of their current wardrobe will help you make a purchase they are more likely to enjoy.
Making your own jewelry is easier than you think. You can find interest pendants at craft stores that can be placed on chains you already own or you can easily buy an inexpensive chain. If you knit or crochet, you can use yarn to create chokers and bracelets. Even if you buy and combine store bought items, making your own jewelry still allows you to design what you wear.
To make sure your necklace matches your outfit, look for pieces that mimic your neckline. If you’re wearing a v-neck top, pair it with a dramatic necklace that has angular elements. To compliment a scoop necked shirt, look for a necklace that’s rounded. A boatneck top looks best with a long, dangling necklace.
To get use out of an earring after one half of a pair is lost, use it as a brooch. Many earrings can be worn just as a brooch can, and can make a great accent piece. Try pinning the earring to a scarf or attaching it to your top just below the collar bone. A more delicate earring is a great way to accent a purse or a belt.
Know what to ask your salesperson. Find out if the gemstone you are interested in is natural, synthetic or imitation. Natural gems cost the most because they have a higher cost to attain them. Synthetic gems are man-made and are easier to get, so they are cheaper. Imitations are the cheapest overall, but, of course, they are not be of the best quality.
Before you buy any gemstone, determine what, if any, treatment it received. Different treatments come with different requirements for cleaning and storage. You want to avoid putting a solution on jewelry that has been treated, particularly if you do not know whether or not it will hurt the piece.
Consider which precious metal to choose for your engagement ring purchase. After setting and stone, the type of metal you choose makes your ring one of a kind. You should pay attention to any jewelry that your sweetie wears to fully understand her preference. Some women like white metals, while others appreciate yellows.
When giving a piece of jewelry to someone, you must always remember to keep the receipt. This applies to almost anything you purchase, but this definitely applies to a piece of jewelry because of how expensive it is. If you want to return the piece of jewelry for whatever reason, you need the receipt to get your money back. Otherwise, you will be stuck with a useless piece of jewelry that you spent lots of money on.
Many precious gems and stones can not be put in a cleaning solution. It is important that you understand the composition of your ring and the composition of your cleaning solution. Some stones like pearl, opal, turquoise and other soft gems can get damaged by the harsh chemicals found in jewelry cleaner.
Whenever using any product which contains bleach, you should never wear your rings or fine jewelry! The chemicals in bleach can cause silver, gold, and other metal alloys to chemically breakdown. Your jewelry will become irreparably damaged. Since there are chlorine (bleach) products in swimming pools and hot tubs, the same rules apply in regards to jewelry removal.
When trying to think of new jewelry designs, just look around you! You’ll be surprised at how easy it is to find inspiration from nature and your surroundings. Take photos of things that inspire you to make your jewelry so that you can reference it with ease later. You can find inspiration for a number of things, including color palettes and shapes.
Jewelry is a way that we emphasize our uniqueness and our individuality. Picking out a piece of jewelry, should be something that reflects who we are, through sparkle and shine. Don’t be rushed into a decision, especially when picking something that you will wear for a long time, such as a wedding band. Take your time and shop around for the one thing that just screams, you.
If jewelry is handled properly, it can be worth a great deal, both in monetary value and in the emotions that are tied up in it. Protecting your jewelry investment can be as simple as learning proper care methods. In addition to the information above, there is more information available all over the Internet. Continue to educate yourself to get the most out of your jewelry.
